The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
While the redevelopment of Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork’s GAA county grounds, was voted Engineering Project of the Year 2017, there was some consoluation for Clare County Council at the Engineers Ireland Excellence Awards.
The council’s Rural Development Directorate was runner-up in the ‘Local Authority Engineering Initiative Award’ category of the Engineers Ireland Excellence Awards 2017.
The local authority award recognises the work of skilled engineers in local initiatives, with the County Council Directorate acclaimed for being at the forefront of tackling various local challenges including recent flooding, the housing crisis, depleted rural populations, vacant and derelict properties coupled, and the need to support and promote emerging businesses regionally.
Clare County Council’s Rural Development Directorate is the first of its kind in Ireland and, through community and economy-focused initiatives, is identifying opportunities and developing engineering innovations with the objective of enhancing the quality of life in Clare.
The redevelopment of Páirc Uí Chaoimh was voted outright national ‘Engineering Project of the Year’ in the flagship category. The regenerated stadium now features a floodlit bowl-shaped venue that can accommodate a capacity of 45,300 and up to 47,000 for games and concerts respectively, including 21,300 seats.
The winners were announced at the eighth annual Engineers Ireland Excellence Awards, in association with ESB, at a special ceremony held in the InterContinental Hotel in Dublin.
Speaking at the awards, Caroline Spillane, Engineers Ireland Director General, said: “This year’s awards once again showcase and celebrate the invaluable contribution the engineering profession makes to society. Engineering is at the heart of community and culture in Ireland and, on behalf of Engineers Ireland, I offer congratulations to each winner and shortlisted entrant. The projects involved all highlight the innovation and quality of work that is continuously produced by Irish engineers both at home and abroad.”
