Jim Leahy, chair of Engineers Ireland Cork Region, will welcome an taoiseach, Micheál Martin, as guest of honour to its annual black tie event which brings more than 280 engineering professionals together on Friday, February 21, at the Maryborough Hotel in Cork.

Other high-profile guests on the evening include Laura Burke, president of Engineers Ireland, Cllr Patrick Donovan, deputy mayor of Co Cork and Cllr Honore Karnegni, deputy lord mayor of Cork.

The event gives the engineering community a great opportunity to network and socialise, and tables are hosted by a range of organisations such as engineering consultants, contractors, local authorities, semi-state organisations, and manufacturing companies. Academics from Munster Technological University and University College Cork will also attend  and there will be a Young Engineers' table.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: "I am very much looking forward to engaging with the members of Engineers Ireland, one of the oldest and largest professional bodies in Ireland. I am well aware of the very active regional committee in Cork which brings together members from a vast range of areas and showcases the ingenuity and creativity of our engineers."

Leahy said he is very much looking forward to the event when he will look back on a busy and successful year in office where, to date, he has hosted CPD Series events and lectures on topics ranging from 'What Engineers should know about Electric Vehicle Batteries' and 'Sustainability in Practice' to 'Irish Rail Upgrade Works in the Cork region'.