Five chartered engineers have been shortlisted for the prestigious Chartered Engineer of the Year Award, supported by Arup.

The professional title of chartered engineer, considered to be the gold standard of the profession, was established in Ireland over 50 years ago. Within the Republic of Ireland, Engineers Ireland is the sole authority to award the title, which is granted to professional engineers who, through a rigorous review process, have shown their ability to apply their professional competencies in the workplace.

Damien Owens, Director General of Engineers Ireland, commented: “Achieving the registered professional title of Chartered Engineer is an important goal in any professional engineer’s career. Beyond the specific statutory functions reserved for Chartered Engineers, achieving this registered professional title is a public statement of an engineer’s competence to practice as a professional. It is a seal of approval by their peers that they have developed an ability beyond that achieved during their academic years to that of a professional practitioner.  It is also a mark of an engineer’s commitment to the continuing development of their professional expertise and ethical practice.” 

Congratulating the shortlisted finalists, Mr Owens added: “I would like to extend my congratulations to each of the finalists on being shortlisted for this year’s Chartered Engineer of the Year Award and I would also thank Arup for their continued support of this award.”

Meet our shortlisted finalists

Ilaria Bernardini, Senior Engineer, Roughan & O’Donovan

Ilaria Bernardini is a Senior Engineer at Roughan & O’Donovan (ROD) with over 6 years’ experience in research and bridge engineering. Ilaria studied Structural and Civil Engineering at Università degli Studi di Padova, Italy and completed her master’s thesis at Trinity College Dublin which examined structural identification procedures applied to the Ha’Penny Bridge as a case study.

Ilaria actively sought a career that combines her passions in both research and bridge engineering, which has resulted in her involvement in several challenging and innovative projects that seek to deal with current issues faced within the civil engineering discipline. Over the past six years, she has increasingly assumed more responsibility and a management role whilst acquiring experience in bridge design, bridge assessment, asset information management, development of frameworks, and road safety. Today, she leads and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams, actively supports the professional development of her colleagues, and is heavily involved in the detailed design of complex movable bridge projects.

Eoin Casserly, Principal and Founder, VOLUTA

Eoin Casserly leads VOLUTA, a specialist structural engineering consultancy operating internationally, based in Sligo. Previously, he held structural engineering positions in Paris, New York, and Stuttgart. He has designed advanced structures such as gridshells, cable nets, facades, stadia, and artworks in over 20 countries, working through six languages. Project highlights include the highest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere, the world’s first cable net with curved glass, the largest-spanning glazed roof in South America, and gridshells for the largest botanic garden in the world.

He is a regular contributor to books, conferences, and journals, with a focus on glass structures, complex facades, long-span structures, and the architectural response to the climate crisis. He also lectures at ATU in Structures, Computational Design, and Advanced Technologies. His current research combines pre-industrial materials with innovative construction and analysis techniques. He holds BSc and ME degrees in Structural Engineering with Architecture from UCD.

Catherine Hurley, Energy and Construction Expert, AIS Interiors

Catherine is an energy and construction expert and chartered engineer with a track record of delivering complex international projects. She sits on the senior leadership team of AIS Interiors, heading strategy and execution of international enterprise accounts, and the Malta branch. In addition, she provides energy advisory through her own consultancy ‘iniskara'.
 
Catherine led the ‘LNG to Power’ project in Malta bringing gas to the island for power generation for the first time. The project included construction of a power plant, LNG regasification plant, a jetty and conversion of a vessel to provide long term LNG storage at the facility. This successful project cut national emissions from power generation by circa 53%.
 
Catherine was CEO of Quad Central, Malta’s first development to be LEED platinum rated. She also worked for over ten years with ESB Power Generation in Ireland. She is vice chair of the Irish Business Network Malta and holds a Diploma in Company Direction from the Institute of Directors.

Oliver Hearn, Senior Electrical Engineer, Natural Power

Oliver Hearn has worked in the renewable energy industry and the university sector for 15 years. He currently serves as a Senior Electrical Engineer at Natural Power in Dublin, where his responsibilities include providing electrical engineering, grid advisory, and project management services to clients across various technologies, including wind energy, solar PV, and battery projects.

Oliver is an award-winning student, holding a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Technological University Dublin and a Master of Science in Renewable Energy Systems Technology from Loughborough University UK, achieved with distinction.

His passion for renewable energy is evident through his accomplishments. Oliver has made appearances on prime-time TV in Ireland, authored articles on wind energy for print media, and delivered lectures to universities, industry bodies, and state agencies. He has also volunteered his time to promote wind energy and engineering in schools. Additionally, he is an active member of several Wind Energy Ireland working groups dedicated to driving positive change in the industry and helping Ireland reach its 2030 renewable energy targets.

Daniel Keating, Chartered Senior Structural Engineer, Arup

Daniel Keating is a Chartered Senior Structural Engineer at Arup and has a Master’s degree in Structural Engineering with Architecture from UCD. 

With a strong interest in digital technology, Daniel was appointed as Digital Transformation Manager for Arup’s Buildings team in Ireland. In this role, he is responsible for the integration of digital solutions across our wide range of building projects. Daniel advises on strategies to improve and automate processes for optimal outcomes on projects, through hands on assistance and Digital reviews. 

One prominent project Daniel has worked on involves a large-scale confidential buildings remediation programme spanning multiple years. Leveraging his digital expertise, Daniel assessed the buildings, identifying and prioritising required remediation activities to ensure a feasible delivery timeline. He developed a suite of adaptable solutions presented as a ‘kit of parts’, allowing for optimal flexibility and economies of scale to accommodate as-built conditions. Collaborating closely with the contractor, Daniel ensured chosen solutions were practical and feasible for construction.

For more information about the Chartered Engineer of the Year Award, supported by Arup, visit: https://www.engineersireland.ie/Businesses/Events/Featured-events/Chartered-Engineer-of-the-Year