Cathriona Hallahan, managing director of Microsoft in Ireland; Marie Donnelly, chair, Renewable Energy Ireland, and former director for Renewables, Energy Efficiency and Innovation at the Directorate General for Energy of the European Commission; and Gerald Fleming, meteorologist, broadcaster and chair (2005-2019) of the Public Weather Service Delivery Programme Group with the World Meteorological Organisation, have been awarded the professional title of Honorary Fellow by Engineers Ireland at its virtual 2020 conferring ceremony.

Honorary Fellowship is the highest honour, other than the presidency, that Engineers Ireland, can bestow. It is conferred on those distinguished by the importance of their work in engineering, science or other vocations.

The conferring ceremony organised by the professional body for engineers in Ireland was officiated by the institution’s immediate past president, Marguerite Sayers and attended by its director general, Caroline Spillane.

'Distinguished work and contribution'

Sayers congratulated the three new Honorary Fellows “for their distinguished work and contribution to the world of science and engineering”. 

The Honorary Fellows were joined by more than 320 members of the institution who were conferred with their registered professional titles. These titles were either Engineering Technician, Associate Engineer, Chartered Engineer, Fellow or Fellow by presidential invitation.

The title of Chartered Engineer was the predominant title awarded with 274 members receiving this honour, which provides peer-reviewed and internationally recognised formal recognition of a member’s professional competence and is an accolade associated with the very best of the engineering profession.  

Additionally, 32 members of the institution received the title of Fellow, the highest level of membership awarded by Engineers Ireland. This title is reserved for engineers who have demonstrated a significant level of experience and professionalism.  

Sayers also had the privilege of issuing a presidential invitation to become a Fellow of Engineers Ireland to five eminent engineering professionals: Laura Burke, chemical engineer and director general of the Environmental Protection Agency; Joseph Kindregan, consulting civil and structural engineer; Professor Aoife Ahern, college principal of the College of Engineering & Architecture and dean of engineering at University College Dublin; Sean Casey, electrical engineer and head of energy and assets advisory with Ernst & Young Ireland (EY); and John Jordan, civil engineer and managing director of Wirtgen Ireland Ltd, a sales and service subsidiary of the German premium equipment manufacturer.

“I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to each of our conferees who achieved registered professional titles this evening," said Sayers.  

Gold standard

"For those who were conferred a Chartered Engineer, this title is widely considered to be the gold standard of our profession and I am very pleased to see that 274 members of Engineers Ireland have been conferred with this title, in addition to our 32 members who have achieved the prestigious title of Fellow.

“Engineers are people who design, create, explore and innovate, working to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges.  Engineers are at the forefront of the latest developments in technology and in the fight against climate change. Behind every design-led engineering solution are communities and families that benefit,” she said.

Emphasising the importance of continuing professional development and learning for engineers, Sayers said: “Attaining a professional qualification and an Engineers Ireland registered professional title is a very important stage in an engineer’s professional development, but it is not the end of the process of lifelong learning.

"As a community of creative professionals who deliver solutions for society, I hope that you will continue to develop and excel in your working lives, and that you will inspire those around you to strive forward and to also consider achieving a registered professional title.”

For further information on registered professional titles please click here.