Google is understood to have been holding discussions about buying the historic Boland’s Mills site in Dublin’s Docklands. The landmark building, which was at the centre of fighting during the 1916 Easter Rising, is currently controlled by Nama.

Google in Irish real estate would further copper-fasten the online advertising and search giant’s links to Ireland. Google has spent around €1bn in Ireland over the last decade, split between buildings, infrastructure and staffing costs.

In February 2011 it splashed out €99.9m to buy the landmark Montevetro building – Ireland’s tallest office block. Earlier this year, it spent €65m on the Grand Mill Quay building.

The Boland’s Mill site was bought by developer Sean Kelly for €42m during the boom, with plans to build apartments, offices and retail unit on the 1.7-acre site. Treasury Holdings owned adjacent sites to the mills.