Horizon Quantum Selects Dublin for Second Quantum Computer Testbed with IonQ 256-Qubit Trapped-Ion System
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This photo depicts a current trapped ion system from IonQ. The system to be delivered to Horizon will be IonQ’s next-generation 256-qubit technology. Image and caption courtesy Horizon Quantum.Dublin Testbed Deployment: Horizon Quantum will establish its second quantum computer testbed in Dublin, Ireland, featuring an IonQ 256-qubit trapped-ion system anticipated to rank among the most advanced commercial quantum computers globally.Ecosystem and Strategic Alignment: The installation at the company’s European headquarters leverages Ireland’s growing quantum ecosystem, research institutions, and talent pool while supporting national priorities under the Silicon Island semiconductor strategy.Hardware-Agnostic Software Advancement: Integration of the trapped-ion system will expand support within Horizon Quantum’s Triple Alpha integrated development environment and enhance real-time runtime capabilities of its quantum execution stack.Today, Horizon Quantum announced plans to locate its second quantum computer testbed in Dublin at its European headquarters, featuring an IonQ 256-qubit trapped-ion system anticipated to be one of the most advanced commercial quantum computers in operation. The deployment seeks to capitalize on Ireland’s robust quantum ecosystem, university research network, and deep-tech talent base while advancing the company’s objective of providing hardware-agnostic software infrastructure for quantum developers. This expansion follows the integration of a multi-vendor superconducting testbed system at the company’s Singapore headquarters in December 2025.Horizon Quantum plans to deploy IonQ’s sixth-generation, chip-based 256-qubit trapped-ion quantum computer as the core of its Dublin testbed. This system is anticipated to be among the most sophisticated quantum computers globally due to its qubit scale and high gate fidelities, potentially enabling solutions to select challenging computational problems. The company will integrate the new hardware into its software stack by expanding trapped-ion system support in the Triple Alpha integrated development environment. This step will also advance the real-time runtime capabilities of its quantum execution stack, reinforcing the development of hardware-agnostic tools for quantum software developers.The deployment marks a progression from the company’s initial testbed, a multi-vendor superconducting quantum system integrated at its Singapore headquarters in December 2025. By incorporating a technologically distinct trapped-ion platform in Europe, Horizon Quantum aims to broaden the hardware compatibility of its development tools through a dual-modality operational framework.Locating the testbed at Horizon Quantum’s European headquarters in Dublin enables the company to tap into Ireland’s expanding quantum ecosystem, world-class research institutions, and skilled deep-tech workforce. This strategic placement aligns with Ireland’s Silicon Island National Semiconductor Strategy, which prioritizes opportunities in quantum technologies alongside semiconductor advancements. The initiative is expected to foster greater collaboration with local industry partners, academic institutions, and the supply chain, thereby accelerating innovation and economic contributions in the sector.Support for the investment has been voiced by senior Irish government and economic development leaders.
Minister Peter Burke of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment noted that the decision reinforces Ireland’s position at the forefront of advanced technologies and supports the nation’s ambition to serve as a global hub for cutting-edge fields. Michael Lohan, CEO of IDA Ireland, described the announcement as a strong endorsement of Ireland’s research capabilities and talent availability in frontier technologies. Dr. Joe Fitzsimons, CEO & Founder of Horizon Quantum, stated that expanding the hardware testbed to Ireland with a frontier system represents a significant step forward for the company’s mission to unlock broad quantum advantage and for Ireland in strengthening its quantum ecosystem.• The dual-location testbed strategy, spanning superconducting systems in Singapore and trapped-ion technology in Dublin, positions Horizon Quantum to deliver more robust, hardware-agnostic software infrastructure across leading quantum modalities while expanding its European operational footprint.• Team expansion and deepened ecosystem engagement in Ireland are projected to catalyze further growth in the local quantum sector through knowledge transfer, collaborative R&D, and supply chain development.Find out more here.Further articles, reports, and the latest quantum computing news may be found at The Qubit Report.QuiX Quantum has joined QuantumBW and Photonics BW, key innovation networks in Baden-Württemberg, to accelerate photonic quantum computing development. The company opened an office in New research from Nu Quantum reveals that distributed quantum computing systems can tolerate the complete failure of individual Quantum Processing Units (QPUs). By encoding quantum Alice & Bob has published a whitepaper defining five criteria to benchmark logical qubit claims. The framework provides a modality-agnostic way to evaluate demonstrations of Sign up to receive our newsletter and other reports.We keep your data private and share your data only with third parties that make this service possible. Read our privacy policy for more info.Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.