A decade of celebrating Ireland’s world-beating construction industry was topped in November with the Irish Construction Industry Awards (ICIA) 2023, back with a live event and better than ever.
Trumpeting the best in such a crucial sector has never been more important. The Construction Industry Federation estimates the Irish construction industry is worth €32 billion and employs 170,000 people. They couldn’t all be individually recognised at the ceremony on November 2nd, but hundreds of the sector’s movers and shakers came to The Round Room at the Mansion House, Dublin for a gala awards event hosted by Limerick comedian Karl Spain.
A total of 27 awards were presented and all were worthy winners. Judging co-ordinator Daniel Clark Hagan, a programme chair and lecturer at Atlantic Technical University, said: “Overall the standard was extremely high, with many outstanding entries, which made judging very difficult. The environment, sustainability and health and safety featured prominently and the fact that mental health is being considered is a huge leap forward and to be applauded. The variety and number of projects taking place in the country is fantastic to see and deserves promotion to a wider audience.”
Winner of the civil construction project of the year was Actavo for its Rock Road sustainable transport improvements scheme. Brian Kelly, group chief executive at Actavo, said: “Congratulations to our civil division and all our key partners on this project, for winning this fantastic award. The project showcases some excellent innovations and sustainable practices, reinforcing Actavo’s position as a leader in this sector.”
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Award platinum sponsor Globoserv praised all the entries. Director Dave Burke said: “It was an exquisite evening that showcased exceptional talent. Every one of the nominations [were] extremely impressive and we are so honoured to have presented three of these prestigious awards to the deserving winners. Congratulations to all involved in the event, which was seamless from start to finish.”
The lean construction achievement award went to Suir Engineering. Chief executive John Kelly, said: “The lean construction achievement award serves as a testament to our team’s unwavering commitment to upholding lean principles, a driving force behind our pursuit of efficiency, innovation and exceptional value for our clients.”
Áine O’Neill, group marketing manager with platinum sponsor KCC Group, said the in-person awards evening was a brilliant bounce back from Covid. “We were delighted to be able to support the ICIA and celebrate the best of Irish construction, design and architecture. As we’re all aware, Covid had a huge impact on face-to-face events and we’ve missed them. The ICIA gives everyone a chance to catch up with peers, clients and customers in an informal, relaxed and celebratory environment.”
Another award winner was Collen Construction. Its HBS baggage handling system upgrade project won engineering project of the year. David Lee, construction director, said: “We were absolutely thrilled to receive this award, as it recognises the dedication and expertise of our entire team. It’s a testament to the pursuit of excellence in our construction projects.”
But it wasn’t only about the winners. Making the shortlist was a huge achievement and made attending the awards night well worth it. Cian Dowling, director of shortlisted firm Axiseng Consulting Engineers, said: “It was an honour to be shortlisted for the 2023 Construction Awards. It was a wonderful evening celebrating the construction industry. Congratulations to all the winners, and we look forward to 2024.”
Speaking at the awards, Kevin O’Driscoll, director of partnership programmes at BusinessRiver, said: “Events like this are made possible through the support of sponsors and professional partners. We are thankful to our 2023 sponsors and professional partners, which include Globoserv, KCC Group, Williaam Cox, Alucraft, ORS, KSN Horizon, Boon Edam, U Value Insulation, Meinhardt Ireland, KOREC | BuildingPoint UK & Ireland, Industry Training Services, Tech Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Lumen Search, MMC Ireland, Considerate Constructors Scheme, Amárach Research and The Irish Times. Their investment in the awards underlines their commitment and support of this key business area.”
The awards were judged by a distinguished panel of experts drawn from all areas of the construction industry.
Full list of judges
- Daniel Clark Hagan, judging co-ordinator and lecturer at Atlantic Technical University
- Barry Mcauley, judging co-ordinator, head of geospatial surveying and digital construction, Technological University Dublin
- Aoife Ahern, professor and dean of engineering at University College Dublin
- Gerard Bourke, senior architect at Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council
- Paul Brennan, BAM UK & Ireland
- John Connaughton, professor at the University of Reading
- Máire Henry, head of the department of architecture and built environment, at South East Technological University
- John James Hunt, Enterprise Ireland
- Amy Kruse, head of sector collaboration and leadership, Considerate Constructors Scheme
- Robin Mandal, architect at robin mandal architect
- Aidan McGovern, chartered engineer at the OPW
- James McNamara, lecturer at TUS Midlands/Midwest
- Mark Mulville, head of school of surveying and construction innovation at TU Dublin
- Róisín Murphy, senior lecturer at TU Dublin
- Ruth Quinn, assistant lecturer of civil engineering, ATU Sligo
- John Spillane, associate professor in construction management, University of Limerick
- Sujana Sudhir, lecturer, South East Technological University
- Carol Tallon, chief executive of Property District
- Paul Tierney, interim chief executive, MMC Ireland
Full list of winners
Contractor project of the year (Sponsored by Lumen Search)
Winner: International Rugby Experience (IRE), Limerick – Flynn
Contractor of the year – Large (Sponsored by Williaam Cox)
Winner: Bennett Construction
Contractor of the year – SME
Winner: Duggan Brothers
Women in construction award
Winner: Susan Cormican – Ethos Engineering
Architecture practice of the year (Sponsored by Alucraft)
Winner: Reddy A+U
Consultancy of the year (Sponsored by Globoserv)
Winner: Mitchell McDermott
Engineering firm of the year
Winner: EDC Engineering Design Consultants
Design project of the year (Sponsored by Globoserv)
Winner: New ICCU Wing, Tallaght University Hospital – Scott Tallon Walker Architects
Contractor commercial project of the year (Sponsored by Boon Edam)
Winner: Cadenza Earlsfort Terrace – Walls Construction
Green project of the year (Sponsored by ORS)
Winner: The Campus, Cherrywood: Sustainable Meeting Pods – MOLA Architecture
Contractor international project of the year
Winner: Lion Green Road Residential Development, South London – CField Construction
Contractor tourism and hospitality project of the year (Sponsored by KCC Group)
Winner: International Rugby Experience (IRE), Limerick – Flynn
Contractor industrial project of the year
Winner: Forensic Science Ireland – Duggan Brothers
Contractor health/education project of the year
Winner: University Hospital Galway Radiation Oncology Centre – John Paul Construction
Contractor conservation project of the year
Winner: Primark Belfast – Bennett Construction
Contractor residential project of the year (Sponsored by Meinhardt Ireland)
Winner: Spencer Place Residential – PJ Hegarty & Sons
Civil construction project of the year
Winner: Rock Road sustainable transport improvements scheme – Actavo
Engineering project of the year (Sponsored by KOREC | BuildingPoint UK & Ireland)
Winner: HBS baggage handling system upgrade project – Collen Construction
Construction project manager of the year
Winner: Cathal Miller – Duggan Brothers
BIM initiative of the year
Winner: Road to AI, Quality & Quantity Combined – Jones Engineering
Excellence in health and safety (Sponsored by Industry Training Services)
Winner: Ardmac
Excellence in sustainability (Sponsored by KSN Horizon)
Winner: BAM
Innovation in construction (Sponsored by KCC Group)
Winner: Model to Manufacture – Jones Engineering
Sub-contractor of the year (Sponsored by U Value Insulation)
Winner: Titan Roofing
MMC project of the year
Winner: Ukrainian rapid modular homes – John Sisk & Son
Lean construction achievement award
Winner: Suir Engineering
Apprenticeship programme award
Winner: Instrotec
