Booming business reflected at Irish Construction Industry Awards 2019

There were over 700 attendees at the 2019 Irish Construction Industry Awards, which took place on June 13th, at Citywest Hotel. With winners in 26 categories, ranging from project management and architecture to health and conservation.

Much has changed in our economy since the event was first established, six years ago. According to Construction Magazine, turnover for the top 50 Irish construction firms was up 25 per cent, year-on-year. And the rude health that the sector currently enjoys was reflected both in the numbers of those gathered, and in the confidence that their work displayed.

The awards recognises both teams and individuals, and there were a number of companies who won as both, Ethos Engineering being one. As a company, they collected the Engineering Firm of the Year. While their associate director, Gavin Murphy, won Designer of the Year. The latter was delighted with the news, and said: “It is very humbling to win the award and a great personal achievement, which would not have been possible without the opportunities and support provided to me at Ethos. It was a great night, and I was honoured to celebrate with so many talented colleagues in the industry.”

John Sisk & Son also won two awards, winning the BIM Initiative of the Year, and the Commercial Project of the Year – Small, for their Waterways House project. Senior contracts manager at John Sisk & Son, Brian Wilson, had this to say: “On behalf of John Sisk, Smith Kennedy architects and Esprit developments, we are all thrilled over this win. This award is recognition by our industry for the entire team’s innovation, commitment and co-operation for a unique project. Congratulations to all entrants, it was a great event that allowed the industry to kick back the heels and relax for a night.”

In terms of the overall category winners, Bennett (Construction) collected two awards, for the Construction Project of the Year, and the Commercial Project of the Year – Large, for their 13-18 City Quay project in Dublin.

Paul Bruton, joint managing director of Bennett (Construction) said: “We entered the 13-18 City Quay Building into the Irish Construction Industry Awards with the hope that it might win its category. So to top that off with the overall award of the night was very special for all of the Bennett team.”

Eamon Booth collected the top individual award of the night, winning the Construction Industry Leader 2019. As managing director of John Paul Construction, Eamon was keen to pay tribute to his entire team: “Winning this award reflects well on everyone in the organisation, as it is also an indication of the great work that’s being done by the entire John Paul Construction team. It follows several other significant awards that our company has achieved in recent times, which has energised our team and given everyone a lift.”

As a title sponsor, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Ireland was hugely involved with the whole awards process. Their managing director, Alan Bateson, explained why they continue to give their support: “As Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is a leading light commercial vehicle supplier in Ireland, and supply many of the attending companies on an ongoing basis, we feel it is fitting that our business supports this prestigious event, which recognises and rewards companies and their teams who raise the bar within the construction industry.”

Diatec’s managing director David Harpur - Diatec were also one of the event sponsors - added: “We were excited to be a part of the Irish Construction Industry Awards, and especially with our sponsorship of the Contractor of the Year award, which went to Collen Construction.

These awards provide a magnificent opportunity to honour innovative contractors, businesses, teams, consultants and projects that demonstrate excellence in this industry.”

If you'd like more information on the 2020 Awards, visit the awards website.

The judging panel for the 2019 awards was comprised of leading industry experts, all of whom expressed how impressed they had been with the quality of the entries in all categories.

Full judging panel

Derry Scully, group president, Linesight
Dr Avril Behan, assistant head of School of Multidisciplinary Technologies, Technological University Dublin
Shay Bowman, project co-ordinator, Grangegorman Development Agency
David Cahill, director, Scott Tallon Walker Architects
Alan Crawford, founding partner, Crawford Partnership Architects & Interior Designers
Belinda Dillon, associate director, DCT Group
Michael Duff, director, James Toomey Architects
Alan Fogarty, partner, Cundall
Mark Kelly, lecturer, GMIT
Karen Kennedy, business development manager, TownLink
Patrick Keogh, assigned certifier & building surveyor
Davitt Lamon, architectural technologist, CWO Architects & Senior BIM Demonstrator, Technological University Dublin
Paul Mangan, property and project management consultant
Enda Mc Guane, managing director, Winters Property
Fiona Mullally, communications & business development executive, KMCS
Brian O'Neill, company director, McCrossan O'Rourke Manning Architects
Mark O'Neill, director, KSN Project Management

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The full list of winners at the 2019 awards is available below.