Public votes Mizen Head Footbridge top project Print this article

The Mizen Head Footbridge in Cork was voted Engineering Project of the Year by the Irish public in an online vote as part of the second Engineers Ireland Excellence Awards in association with ESB

Speaking at the awards ceremony in the Four Seasons Hotel, Dublin, Noel O'Keeffe Chartered Engineer, FIEI, Cork County Council county engineer, who collected the award on behalf of RPS/Carillion Irishenco, the team behind the project, said winning the award was welcome recognition for a collaborative initiative that overcame significant challenges before completion.

He commented: “This footbridge is the culmination of a lot of team work allied to what we believe is the best in engineering creativity. This is a great example of engineering excellence as a driver for economic recovery. It is a landmark structure in terms of using reinforced concrete as a construction material and is now a noteworthy facility for the locality as well as a valuable tourist attraction. That this has been acknowledged by Engineers Ireland is extremely rewarding.”

Chartered Engineer of the Year Louise Connolly a consultant engineer with ESBI Engineering was named Chartered Engineer of the Year 2011 at the Excellence Awards. Louise won the award for her role in managing the development of a suitable routing for a 2.4km gas pipeline to connect a new 860MW CCGT power station at Carrington, near Manchester to the UK national gas transmission system. The new plant, which is being developed by Carrington Power Limited, is jointly owned by ESB and Carlton Power Limited.

Speaking after the awards ceremony, Ollie Brogan Chartered Engineer, manager, ESB International said: “Louise is a very deserving recipient of this award and we are extremely proud of her achievement. In an industry that is traditionally very male-dominated, it is hugely significant to see this award going to a female for the first time. The award reflects not only Louise’s capability as an engineer but also her ability to communicate effectively on a very complex and technical subject.”

Roll of honour

The full line-up of winners from the Engineers Ireland Excellence Awards.

Engineering Project of the Year
Kindly sponsored by The National Roads Authority:
The Mizen Head Footbridge in Cork, RPS/Carillion Irishenco

Chartered Engineer of the Year
Kindly co- sponsored by Beale and Company and Griffiths & Armour:
Consultant engineer with ESBI Louise Connolly from Innishannon, Co. Cork

The Environmental Infrastructure Award
Kindly sponsored by The Environmental Protection Agency:
Portlaoise Main Drainage, RPS/Laois County Council

ESB Award for Outstanding Contribution to Engineering:
Sean O’Leary Chartered Engineer, senior lecturer, School of Mechanical & Process Engineering, CIT

Engineering Education Award – ‘Best in Class’ 2011
Kindly sponsored by Corrib Natural Gas:
Innovative Product Development Labs – engineering an innovation eco-system, School of Mechanical & Process Engineering, CIT

Engineering News Story of the Year
Kindly sponsored by SIAC Construction:
The Irish Examiner

Best Paper or Presentation of the Year
Kindly sponsored by National Standards Authority of Ireland:
‘The Design and Construction of the New Mizen Head Footbridge’ nominated by the Cork region

Engineers Ireland Volunteer of the Year award
Michael Loughnane, manager, leadership and people development in ESB