Bruce Saville, the founder of Saville Systems the Galway-based software company which was bought by ADC for $700 million (€677.64 million), was telling tales out of school last week, but to the great amusement of all who gathered at the opening of the company's new facility in Galway.

Mr Saville departed from his notes to reveal just how IDA area director Tom Hyland initially wooed the company to Galway. With just a few hours to spare, Mr Saville and his daughter, Shannon, arrived at Galway airport, where they were greeted by the IDA man.

"Within five minutes Tom Hyland found out I was a golfer and Shannon was a show jumper. By 5 p.m. he had shown us three successful businesses, including Nortel," Mr Saville said. "By 7 p.m. we were at the Irish showjumping championships, which happened to be on in Galway, and by 8 p.m. we were having dinner at the Galway Golf and Country Club."