Deirdre O Meara 
Blacknight, the Carlow-based web host and domain registrar, has acquired Clare-based MyHost Internet Services for an undisclosed sum. The move will see MyHost owner Martin Saunders join Blacknight while also continuing to run MyHost as an independent subsidiary.
Blacknight is part of Avalon Internet Holdings, which is owned by Blacknight CEO Michele Neylon and Blacknight CTO Paul Kelly. “This year marks our 20th anniversary,” said Mr Neylon. “The last few years were about helping small businesses move online during the pandemic, we saw a huge shift to the online market. Now our focus needs to be on how we can strategically grow the business. We’ve known Martin for years and our companies are a natural fit to work together. We’re delighted that he’s going to join our team and that MyHost customers will have a new home on Blacknight’s world class infrastructure.”
The move comes as Blacknight expands into data centres and broadband services. “This marks a big shift in our growth strategy and we’re looking forward to making more growth-centred acquisitions in the future,” said Mr Kelly. He said that Blacknight’s strategy is for its enterprise hosting, co-location and data centre real estate to “make it a serious player” in the international hosting infrastructure market.
“I’m very excited to be joining the Blacknight team,” said MyHost founder Martin Saunders. “We can continue to grow under our own brand but take full advantage of the incredible Blacknight network, improving access and technical capabilities for MyHost customers.”
