A chartered engineer working with Arup in designing low carbon, energy efficient buildings with leading architects such as O’Donnell and Tuomey on the Glucksman Art Gallery and Carr Cotter Naessens on the Lexicon Library, John has maintained a keen interest in the study of and promotion of engineering heritage over the last 25 years while based in Cork. In 2002, John was awarded the Institution Prize for best paper delivered through Engineers Ireland for St Fin Barres Cathedral – Maintenance of a Masterpiece.
In the ‘noughties’, John organised an annual heritage event in Cork through CIBSE, that promoted the works of the refurbishment of the River lee Water-works (2005), The Grubb Telescope and John Holland (2006) and finally the 50 year anniversary of the River Lee Hydroelectric Generation scheme in 2007. In recent years, John has developed an interest in the Parsons and Stoney families and has already delivered presentations on their works, trials and tribulations to Engineers Ireland in November 2022 and to the Cork Astronomy Club in May 2022.
John has retraced the footsteps of Charles Parsons in Newcastle-on-Tyne and believes there is considerable interest in the preservation and promotion of the engineering achievements of the brave men and women of the 19th and 20th Centuries.
Brian Leddin is a TD for Limerick City and Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Climate Action. He is Green Party spokesperson on Climate Action, Environment and Transport.
Before being elected to the Dáil, he worked as a mechanical engineer in Limerick and was a councillor on Limerick City and County Council. Brian is an engineering graduate of the University of Limerick and also holds an MSc in Renewable Energy Systems Technology at Loughborough University.
Ian Whithead was keeper of Maritime History at Tyne & Wear Archives and Museums and curator of Turbinia from 2002 – 2016. Ian has been central to the conservation of Turbinia and is a world leading authority on this chapter in maritime history.
Geoff joined NEI Parsons Ltd in 1980 as a graduate trainee engineer. In 1982, he became a Design Engineer in Parsons Turbine Design Dept, subsequently rising to Head of Turbine Design in 1991. Following this, in 1994, he was appointed Head of Turbine-Generator Engineering at Parsons.
In 1997, Parsons became part of Siemens with Westinghouse following in 1998. This led to Siemens Large Steam Turbine Engineering in Europe being focused primarily at two sites: Mülheim-an-der-Ruhr in Germany and CA Parsons Works in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne in the UK. Geoff was appointed Chief Turbine Engineer for the Newcastle site and a Principal Expert on Steam Turbines within Siemens globally. He continued in these roles until his retirement in 2019.
In 1999, Geoff began to document the Parsons history while original records still existed for preservation in museums. While still working at Siemens, this progressed as time allowed. After retirement, Geoff has been working full time on this producing extensive history documents in the form of photo story books using the 70,000 or so photos and other information which are available.
Jody served for 12 years globally with Shell Tankers UK Ltd, starting as a Cadet Engineer and working through to Extra First Class Combined Chief Marine Engineer Officer, certified to work with steam and motor propulsion vessels of unlimited size LNG, VLCC and oil product tankers. Following his work on the High Seas, Jody came to shore to work with Lloyd’s in Sheffield and as Engineer Surveyor. After a period in the USA, Jody returned to Ireland to work with National Ireland Insurance, Eagle Star and Zurich Insurance Companies. specialising in high pressure steam boilers for power generation stations.
Jody has shared his life experiences as Marine/Mechanical Engineering Lecturer at the National Maritime College of Ireland in Ringaskiddy for the last 15 years.
Jody is a Fellow of Engineers Ireland and of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology. Jody has an MBA from Munster Tech. University and a Master of Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island, USA.
Una is native to Birr, a Chartered Engineer and a Project Manager working in the Renewable Energy sector. Una undertook a Civil Engineering degree in the University of Limerick, graduating in 2012.
Since then, Una has worked in a variety of roles, focusing on the management and support of strategic infrastructure projects. Una believes the engineering heritage of the Midlands serves as a powerful enabler for change.
Her presentation centres on the contribution the Midlands can make to help achieve Ireland's Renewable Energy targets as set out in the Climate Action Plan.
Benita Stoney has painted all her life, as well as pursuing a career in publishing and biography. She took a degree in Fine Art from Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (2006), and it was during her studies that portraits came to dominate her practice.
Her work has been selected for the BP Portrait Award exhibition, for the Davy Portrait Award, and for the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland ‘Women on Walls’ portraits. She won the Changing Faces Award at the Royal Society of Portrait Painters. Since 2004, she has regularly exhibited at the Royal Hibernian Academy.
Alicia Clements graduated from Kingston University in London with a degree in Manufacturing Engineering, and then went on to study alternative energy engineering at Limerick University, designing and building an off-grid carbon neutral house trialling many now established technologies. She returned to open and manage Ireland’s Historic Science Centre, in Birr, which showcases many of the remarkable achievements of the Parsons Family.
Through this, primary schools’ programmes have been set up to use the engineering heritage of Birr to inspire future generations to study STEM subjects. Alicia is now focused at keeping the heritage of Birr alive and relevant, once more reverting to the technologies of past generations to bring the Birr Castle Estate carbon neutral, and by investing in biodiversity as well as the built heritage. Alicia continues the legacy of the Parsons family’s tradition of education and open sharing of their rich scientific history. The hosting of an engineering festival in Birr in the autumn maintains this tradition.
Stephen Grant, Founder and Managing Director of Grant Engineering, is a visionary entrepreneur and the driving force behind Grant Engineering, the Company he founded over 46 years ago.
Stephen started his career installing heating and plumbing systems and was enthusiastic about creating heating technologies that would stand out from the rest as a market leader. Under his leadership, the company has grown from a small startup to a globally recognized name, renowned for its cutting-edge products and commitment to sustainability. Over the years Grant Engineering has held over 65 patents on their products. In 2008 Stephen was the winner of Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Stephen Grant's unwavering commitment to innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility continues to shape Grant Engineering's legacy as a pioneer in the heating technology sector.
Beyond his role in Grant Engineering, Stephen is deeply involved in philanthropic efforts, supporting initiatives aimed at advancing education and environmental conservation. His leadership and integrity have earned him respect not only within the industry but also among his peers and the community at large. Stephen is one of the founders of the Soul of Haiti Foundation established in 2008 – over the years he has made several trips to Haiti to assist with building work on schools and hospitals – Stephen is deeply committed to Haiti and to this day is involvement in humanitarian work for Haiti.
Stephen is a Fellow of the Technological University of the Shannon.