“Operating within our span of control to ensure value and delivery is of critical importance,” says Jimmy Kirby, Executive Chairman, in this #PeopleFirst
As we continue to explore the people who have shaped and are shaping our business, we delve into strategy, sustainable business, and stability with Executive Chairman Jimmy Kirby. When you speak to Jimmy his passion for strategy is clear. Paired with his deep understanding of the M&E and construction industry, and his drive to ensure […]
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“The doors are open to women looking to grow their careers in the engineering and construction industry” says Marketing Manager Claire Brennan
As we mark International Women’s Day (March 8), we speak to Marketing Manager Claire Brennan about growing her career at Kirby, a dedication to young people in sport, and growing representation in STEM. Having been with Kirby for four years, Claire has seen Kirby’s growth first hand as she worked to promote and mark the […]
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“Ireland and Kirby have opened up career opportunities for me,” says Yalin Tumbali, Commercial Manager at Kirby
In this #PeopleFirst we speak to our Commercial Manager Yalin Tumbali, based out of our Dublin office, he works across a number of projects, overseeing their mechanical packages. Yalin joined Kirby in 2022, as he moved from Turkey to Ireland, seeking further experience in data centres. Incredibly experienced, he held a number of roles in […]
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“Lots of good things started in 1964,” says Payroll Manager Helen Keogh who shares her birthday year with Kirby Group Engineering
In this #PeopleFirst we speak to Helen Keogh, Payroll Manager, who, alongside Kirby, turns 60 this year. Helen first joined us in Limerick in 1983 at 19 years old to work on the reception. “We had an office in Thomondgate, it was a converted house and shop. At that point we had around 80 employees, […]
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“I want everyone I work with to feel the same way I have felt since I joined Kirby nine years ago: trusted, valued, and appreciated,” says Brendan Coffey, Kirby Operations Manager – Leinster.
We speak to Brendan Coffey, Kirby’s Operations Manager for the Leinster region, as he celebrates nine years with us. He joined Kirby as a Senior Project Manager in December 2014 to manage the Telecity data centre project in Dublin. He reflects: “The company was much smaller at that point; we turned over around €165m. At […]
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Alexander Abadom has just completed Kirby’s new Electrical Graduate Engineering Programme; we speak to him in this #PeopleFirst
Kirby has been successfully running its graduate programme since 2015. To focus more on the engineering aspect, it decided to launch a specialised Electrical Graduate Engineering Programme in 2021. This month marks a significant milestone for Alexander as he graduates from the new specialist programme. The occasion was marked by the presentation of his certificate […]
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“Construction Safety Month has seen us focus in on project-specific, critical risks,” says Kirby’s EHS Regional Manager, Yvonne McCawley
We spoke to EHS Regional Manager Yvonne McCawley about the importance of the CIF’s Construction Safety Month and her role in ensuring a safety-first culture at Kirby. “This is the first year that the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) is running its safety campaign over a full month. Four weeks gives us the chance to explore […]
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“Kirby is a learning organisation; we have two-way conversations with key stakeholders, and we always listen and learn,” says Aidan McAuliffe, Kirby Procurement Manager for Europe
In this #PeopleFirst we speak to Aidan McAuliffe, our Procurement Manager for Europe. Having worked in procurement for over 15 years, he’s worked with Kirby for the last six years to develop supply chains and material supplier arrangements across the continent. His background at Kerry Group, Nestle and Bord Gáis has supported Kirby’s expansion, as […]
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“The people around you at Kirby have been in your shoes. They are genuinely invested in you and your learning,” says fourth year Electrical Apprentice Cathal Hanley
Kirby is proud of its people-first approach, which has seen many of its top team grow their careers with the company. It’s this approach that has seen us invest heavily in growing the next generation of engineering talent, with more than 200 apprentices currently employed. Cathal Hanley joined Kirby in 2019 as an Electrical Apprentice […]
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“Kirby recruits for the culture, and you can tell,” says Kirby stalwart Michelle Madden, Senior Estimating Co-ordinator
In this #PeopleFirst interview we speak to Michelle Madden, Senior Estimating Co-ordinator at Kirby. There is always that one person in an organisation; the one that everyone goes to when they need to know something. For Kirby, that person is Michelle Madden. She has been with us for 22 years and has trained up numerous […]
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“It’s important for young girls to see themselves represented in engineering,” says Michelle Powell as she talks about our school outreach programme
We speak to HR Business Partner Michelle Powell, in advance of International Women in Engineering Day on the 23rd of June. Overseeing Kirby’s apprenticeship and outreach programmes, she champions women in engineering in schools and colleges across Ireland. Kirby has worked in partnership with Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) for 10 years, delivering outreach […]
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“Our estimating team plays a vital role in bringing complex projects to site,” says Kirby Group E&I and T&D Estimating Manager, Declan Gavin
In this #PeopleFirst series we catch up with Declan Gavin, Group Electrical Estimating Manager for our Low Voltage (LV) and Power (T&D) business units. Heading up a large team, he has been with Kirby for more than 15 years and has seen the business grow and develop into the company it is today. “Kirby has […]
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“Ireland is a place that can easily become a home,” says Project Planner Babalwa Sigonya about her move from South Africa to the Emerald Isle
For Babalwa Sigonya working in Ireland was the opportunity to grow her career and work on leading-edge projects that create a more connected and sustainable future for our planet. Having worked on the two largest coal-fired power stations in her home country, Babalwa is using her experience to manage the programmes for some of our […]
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“Kirby is unique. I have seen it grow, nurture talent and deliver consistently for its long-term clients,” says William Brosnan, Operations Manager, Munster
In this #PeopleFirst we catch up with Kirby’s Operations Manager for Munster. He celebrates 33 years with us this year and talks about the growth of the company from 60 direct employees in 1990 to 1,400 in 2023. He is proud of his part in the tale, at the front of many firsts, including the […]
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“Diversity of thought and experience will transform the future of engineering,” says Rosangela Condori, who received a bursary from Kirby to study renewable and electrical energy engineering
In this #PeopleFirst we speak to Rosangela Condori, a second-year student at Technological University of the Shannon (TUS). Rosangela was one of four students chosen for Kirby’s bursary scheme, which was developed to promote women in engineering and launched in 2022. Rosangela has a passion for people, the environment and the impact engineering can have, both […]
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“The choice isn’t between an apprenticeship or college, you can do both,” says Kirby Turnover Engineer Brendan Muldowney
With 10 years under his belt, former Kirby apprentice and Limerick Institute of Technology graduate Brendan Muldowney reflects on the start of his career and looks forward to his future in this #PeopleFirst interview. One of Brendan’s career highlights to date was representing Ireland in industrial control at the World Skills competition in Abu Dhabi […]
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“By investing in its people, Kirby is investing in innovations and improvements for the future,” says Kirby Lead Planner Michael Bonandrini, as he studies data analytics and its application in construction and engineering
In this #PeopleFirst feature we speak to Michael Bonandrini. His passion for data and planning have seen him start a Master’s Degree in Data Analytics. Talking about machine learning algorithms detecting patterns in planning data, Michael demonstrates his real interest and excitement in this pioneering area of technological development. Michael joined the team in Dublin […]
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“Diversity is a source of richness; we see that on site every day,” says Dr. Francesca Balbi, Kirby’s HR and Compliance Lead for Italy
We catch up with Dr. Francesca Balbi on our data centre project in Milan, Italy, as part of this #PeopleFirst interview. A recent addition to Kirby, Francesca has spent the majority of her career in academia, researching and teaching international and European law. It’s a calling that has allowed her to fulfil her passion for […]
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“We have a positive safety culture at Kirby, and we make sure that everyone comes on the journey with us,” says Mick Fahey, Kirby EHS Manager, ahead of Construction Safety Week 2022
In this #PeopleFirst feature we speak to Mick Fahey, Kirby’s EHS Manager for Ireland and the UK. We catch up ahead of Construction Safety Week 2022, as the team gears up to deliver events, focus group sessions and training as part of the awareness campaign by the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) of Ireland. “Construction Safety […]
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“Every Kirby colleague has a story of how the company has helped them personally or professionally,” says Paralegal Executive Suzanne Kirwan
“Every Kirby colleague has a story of how the company has helped them personally or professionally,” says Paralegal Executive Suzanne Kirwan In this #PeopleFirst article we speak to Suzanne Kirwan as she celebrates the completion of her barrister training at King’s Inn, Dublin. The soon-to-be barrister has spent the last year studying for the bar […]
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“Sports psychology and business have strong synergies; at Kirby we wear one jersey, we are a team,” says Kirby HR Officer and champion hurler Kyle Hayes
We sit down with Kyle Hayes as the Limerick hurling team celebrates its third All-Ireland title in a row. “Limerick is one of the most exciting places to be right now, the atmosphere is palpable,” says HR Officer and Limerick hurler Kyle Hayes, as we interview him for our #PeopleFirst series. He is settling back […]
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From South Africa to the Emerald Isle: “Kirby doesn’t just talk the talk, it really is a people-first company,” say couple Melandri and André van Zyl
“I can’t tell you how easy Kirby made the transition for us,” says HR Officer Melandri van Zyl as she talks to us for our #PeopleFirst series. Sitting next to her is her husband and co-worker André, Senior Cost Engineer, as they discuss their move across the world from South Africa to Limerick, Ireland. “I […]
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”I want girls to know engineering is a career option from a young age,” says Kirby’s Electrical Engineering Manager, Amy Lane
I want to imagine a future when we don’t need an International Women in Engineering Day. A future when children aren’t encouraged into one career or another because of their sex. A future when there are no male- or female-dominated industries,” says Amy Lane, Electrical Engineering Manager at Kirby. We speak to her as part […]
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“I have definitely had opportunities that I wouldn’t have been given with other contractors,” says Kirby project manager Leroy Walker
In this #PeopleFirst we catch up with Leroy Walker, one of Kirby’s youngest project managers as he hands over a new clean room to our longstanding client, medical device manufacturer Boston Scientific. The 34-year-old father of two started with Kirby in 2006 as an Electrical Apprentice. He has progressed through the ranks, from Site Supervisor, […]
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‘‘Becoming part of a senior management team was a huge achievement – especially as a young non-Irish woman.’ Giedre Visockaite, Associate Director – Strategy and Marketing
CIF Construction Magazine recently spoke to Giedre Visockaite, as part of their special feature on ‘Championing Women in Construction in 2022’. Click here to read the article in pdf format. Originally from Lithuania, Giedre Visockaite is Associate Director of Strategy and Marketing with Kirby Group Engineering. In the 10 years since joining Kirby – something […]
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“This work Kirby does for DIY SOS is providing homes, not just houses for families who are in exceptional circumstances and dire need through no fault of their own.” Stephen Brennan, Site Manager and DIY SOS Lead
To many in Kirby, Stephen Brennan is known as a beguiling Site Manager from Glinsk, County Galway and to many around the country, he’s known as Stephen from DIY SOS, the Electrical Foreman with the hearty laugh and the cheeky grin. Whether it’s having the laughs with Baz and the gang or working insane hours […]
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“Engineering is an incredibly rewarding career, and one that I would strongly recommend to young women considering their career choices,” says Turnover Engineer Cova Fernandez
We continue our #PeopleFirst series with Turnover Engineer Cova Fernandez. Speaking from her home office in Dublin, she enthuses about BIM 360 and the transformation it has delivered to the industry over the last 10 years and discusses flexible working as a mum of two. Joining Kirby in 2015 as Technical Bid Lead, she’s now […]
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“Construction safety is a challenging but rewarding sector to work in,” says Kirby safety professional Lauren Henry
Lauren Henry is an Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Advisor on one of our industrial projects in Ireland. We talk to her as part of our #PeopleFirst series, as she takes us through a day in her life and explains why construction is the best sector for a safety professional to work in. “There’s a […]
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Really great to hear such positive and enthusiastic feedback from one of our Graduate Project Planners
As part of our #PeopleFirst series, we have been talking to one of Kirby’s Graduate Project Planners, Joe Ronaldson, about why he chose his profession and what he enjoys about life at Kirby. “In 2018, I graduated with an ME in Mechanical Engineering from UCD. I was lucky enough to spend a gap year in […]
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‘I get to talk to my engineering heroes every day’ – #INWED2021
Today marks International Women in Engineering Day 2021 – an occasion that seeks to celebrate the work and achievements of women engineers. This year has put a particular focus on womens’ engineering heroes. Eve Cassidy, who works with Kirby Group Engineering thought carefully before nominating a group of people she felt fit the bill. “In […]
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