She’s the person who most embodies our People value, according to our teams.  

Michelle Byrne has been at the beating heart of our Dublin office for the last 22 years. She brings a smile and a cheery disposition, and more importantly, keeps the building running like clockwork.  

She joined Kirby as a QS Administrator and progressed to take on the running of the two office buildings and associated car parks at our base at the Whiteswan Business Centre in Dublin 8.   

If you’ve ever called Kirby, or visited the office, chances are you’ve spoken to her too.  

“Michelle has been identified consistently by colleagues as the epitome of Kirby’s culture and is a touch point for our people in the Dublin office for any and all of their practical needs,” says Alistair Tosh, HR Director at Kirby.  

Michelle is the lynchpin of our office culture, organising coffee mornings in support of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, an ice cream truck in the summer, and “sambos” every Friday.  

“The office is busy on a Friday thanks to those sandwiches. It’s the small things that people love, and I enjoy it more when the office is busy,” says Michelle.  

Celebrating long service with Kirby

Michelle joined Kirby 22 years ago and was presented with a long service award at last year’s 60-year celebrations in Dublin. “People will think I’ve been around forever,” Michelle laughs.

She was one of ten team members from our Dublin office and Leinster region honoured at the event.  

The long service presentations took place at regional events across Ireland, with more than 80 people celebrated as we marked the anniversary.  

Kirby Group Engineering was established in 1964 by Tom and Michael Kirby in Limerick, Ireland. The company has since grown to become a leading mechanical and electrical engineering contractor, operating across Ireland, the UK, and mainland Europe.  

“It’s amazing to see how the company has changed over time, and the fresh faces that join us in the office, those who return, and those who have been part of the company’s story and transformation over the last few decades,” says Michelle.  

Dedication to charitable causes 

We estimate that Michelle’s efforts alone have raised €2,000 for the Alzheimer Society of Ireland.  

It’s a cause close to her heart. Michelle’s father lived with the condition for eight years, and her uncle was also affected.  

It was at the point of her father’s diagnosis that Michelle’s annual coffee morning started and fast became a firm fixture in the Dublin office calendar.  

Career progression at Kirby  

“When I first joined, I was a QS Assistant helping with photocopying, pulling tender packs together and mailing them out.  

“I was asked if I would cover the front desk and haven’t looked back,” she says.  

“What I most like is all the new people that start in Kirby and seeing them and the company grow and flourish.” 

Kirby first opened an office in Dublin in the 1990s at the Whiteswan Business Park. Initially occupying Unit 4, the company expanded into another building as it grew. Michelle remembers the building being refurbished and expanded over time to what it is today – now employing 1,800 people and generating over €700 million in turnover. “I was one of 15 people in the Dublin office when I joined. It’s amazing really,” she says.  

Michelle is one of many who represent Kirby at its best – welcoming people to our offices, to our teams and into the wider company. She works closely with Office Managers across Ireland, helping to coordinate front desks, phone lines, arrange meetings, and much more. “We get on hugely well, even though we seldom meet in person,” Michelle laughs.  

“One of the best parts of my job is helping people settle in. We are lucky to be joined by people from across the world who work on our projects. I’ll often help them with finding areas to live, places to eat, shop and introduce them to their new colleagues in Dublin.”  

A day in the life of an Office Manager  

“It can be eventful when the office is full. Sometimes it feels like I am running a house for almost 100 people,” she laughs. “No one comes near me before I’ve had my coffee!” she jokes.  

“But I am happiest when the office is bustling,” she adds.  

Michelle moved to Dublin from Offaly in the 1990s. She’d worked as an administrative support after completing her Leaving Certificate but found the pace too slow.  

Before joining Kirby, she worked as an architectural firm in the city.   

“I’ve always worked in the sector. There’s something about it that has kept me. I think it’s the fast-paced nature and the people. You feel like you are part of something bigger and you’re meeting different people who are popping in and out of the office. That’s the part I really like,” she adds.  

Outside of work Michelle is part of a running group. “I don’t think I’d have the courage to go out on my own, but love being part of the group, it really pushes us all along,” she adds.  

People-first culture  

When we tell her that colleagues say she’s the person who most embodies our People value, she says, “I try to be as helpful as I can.”  

David Waldron, Procurement Director at Kirby says, “Michelle embodies the best of Kirby values – putting people first. Simply put, she is the life and soul of the Dublin office. 

Her considerate nature coupled with her disarming wit and charm, makes her a powerful force for good within Kirby. 

Her signature phrase “Goodness, Gracious !!!”  is quite apt as she is full of both goodness and graciousness.  

With the growth trajectory of Kirby, the diversity of our people has grown too. Michelle has fully embraced the importance of welcoming new people, many of whom are new to Ireland, as well as Kirby.  

That small bit of kindness, care and guidance is invaluable to some people in those early few months.” 

Michelle’s story is a reminder that culture lives in the everyday actions of people who care.