In the worlds of consultant engineering, dispute resolution and conciliation, Ciarán Fahy was an outstanding practitioner.

Indeed, his extensive experience in these areas led to him being appointed as conciliator for the National Children’s Hospital, managing disputes between the contractor BAM and the hospital development board. He was passionate about this role and longed to see the huge project to completion, but sadly died just as the end was in sight. 

Ciarán Fahy.

Arbitration experience

Throughout his career, Ciarán always found time to contribute to professional organisations, serving from 2003 to 2021as chairperson and/or member of the Ethics and Disciplinary Board, the Board of Examiners and the Dispute Resolution Board of Engineers Ireland where his arbitration experience was most useful.

He also chaired the Irish branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, providing encouragement and guidance to many of its younger members. More recently, he was elected a Fellow of the Irish Academy of Engineering, where he contributed to position papers on contracts and on infrastructure.

After secondary school in O’Connell’s CBS, Ciarán studied engineering in University College Dublin (UCD) in the late 1960s when the faculty was still located in the old College of Science on Merrion Street, before it became part of Government Buildings. He graduated in 1971 and started work on the ESB’s novel pumped storage scheme at Turlough Hill, Co Wicklow.

Pictured in the President's Room, Engineers Ireland, Clyde Road, were Ciarán Fahy, Max Abrahamson and PJ Rudden.

A confirmed Francophile, he couldn’t resist leaving Ireland for Paris with his new wife Anne Hackett, where he worked as an engineer for a French industrial equipment company. Emigration was common in those days, but French speaking destinations were not.

Returning to Ireland in 1974, he undertook an MBA in Trinity College Dublin. He joined JB Barry Consulting Engineers before branching out on his own in 1985 and, in 1989, he was joined in his growing practice by Cathal Maguire.

It was during this time that he developed an expertise in forensic engineering as an expert witness in personal injury cases. Following completion of a diploma in arbitration law in UCD in 1999, he then undertook a diploma in international arbitration law. This led to a career in dispute resolution, with projects in Ireland, Ethiopia and Ukraine.

Far from one-dimensional

As his professional career suggests, Ciarán was far from one-dimensional; along with his professional achievements, he was involved in student politics while in UCD, serving as president of the Students' Representative Council (SRC); he succeeded the late Eddie O'Connor in that position, providing clear leadership during what became known as the Gentle Revolution in 1969.

Together with Frank McDonald, they negotiated with the legendary JP MacHale, secretary and bursar of the college, and secured his approval for construction of the first students bar in Belfield, which opened in 1971.

I was very pleased to serve as his vice-president and to have enjoyed his close friendship for many decades.

He forged enduring friendships with a wide range of fellow student activists in UCD and further afield. He was not always in agreement with more radical elements but always sought to reach consensus if at all possible – good grounding for an arbitrator. Among those long-standing friends from UCD were the author and journalist Frank McDonald, even though their views on many things often diverged.

Ciarán and Ann Fahy kept an apartment in Paris for decades, using it as a springboard for theatre, the arts, gastronomy and sporting events, and they had a wide range of French friends. He is survived by Ann, daughters Sadhbh and Clare, sons Dara and Eoin; his brother Fergal, sister Connie and his adored grandchildren.

Among many tributes posted ... 

"I first met Ciarán on Dublin City Gas Pipeline in 1982 when he was employed by Bord Gáis Éireann and I was seconded to BGE to ensure that Irish natural gas was safely delivered to Dublin for the first time. We worked really well together from the very beginning to ensure that that project was delivered on time and within budget. We interfaced frequently over the years especially when I was elected as President of Engineers Ireland in 2011/12. I was happy to support Ciarán in every way as he navigated the difficult economic conditions of that period. I also invited Max Abrahamson who 'wrote the book on contract law'' to give another talk on Construction Law at our Clyde Road HQ. Max gave his usual erudite lecture on Construction Contract Law chaired by the eminent Engineer Lawyer Ciarán FahyAt the end of proceedings, I asked Max to please tell us 'Max, when is a lump sum contract really a lump sum?' Without any hesitation, Max replied that 'A lump sum contract is never a lump sum when you have a very good lawyer!'. Ciarán smiled as he took in the full import of Max's reply. I will miss Ciarán for his intelligence, dignity, expertise and 'practical down to earth' approach to the rule of law in construction contracts." — PJ Rudden

"On behalf of FIDIC (the International Federation of Consulting Engineers), I wish to extend our deepest condolences on the passing of Mr Ciarán Fahy. We are profoundly saddened by this loss and stand with you in remembering a highly esteemed professional and colleague. Mr Fahy was a long-standing and deeply respected member of the FIDIC community, having served with distinction on the FIDIC President’s List of Approved Dispute Adjudicators. His dedication to excellence in dispute resolution, particularly in the construction sector, earned him wide recognition both nationally and internationally. Since 2010, Mr. Fahy successfully completed an extensive number of arbitrations, mediations and adjudications. The disputes he helped resolve were nearly all construction-related and often of significant complexity and value. His deep understanding of FIDIC contracts and principles made him a vital contributor to upholding the integrity and professionalism of our dispute resolution processes." — Catherine Karakatsanis

"We have wonderful memories of our time together in UCD, and on the SRC , as well as meeting Ciarán professionally over the years in the Eastern Regional Authority. A lovely man, he will be sorely missed." — Eithne and John Fitzgerald

"Ciarán was so well known in legal and arbitration circles, as the 'go to' man for resolving the most complex disputes. As a former chair of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators he raised the standard, always so professional, so capable and generous with his time." — Larry Fenelon

"Ciarán was a presence throughout much of my career in Ireland since 1998. He was a great supporter of women and younger practitioners in dispute resolution (and gave great mentorship to me) BUT above all else was a friend and great mentor with a wicked smile and sense of humour. I will not forget Ciarán’s kindness and guidance over the years. A gem, a star in his field who will be sorely missed but not forgotten." — Niav O’Higgins 

"Ciarán was a proper gentleman, courteous, witty and great company. He gave generously of his time over the years to those of us developing a career in the dispute resolution field. As the current Chair of the Engineers Ireland Dispute Resolution Board, a role that Ciarán previously held, I am very aware of his very many achievements particularly in terms of the development of conciliation and arbitration procedures which are highly regarded. Professionally as an arbitrator or conciliator he was firm, fair and equitable in all his dealings. — Gererd Monaghan, Engineers Ireland Dispute Resolution Board

"Ciarán was a gentleman and a true professional who was always expertly competent, pragmatic and courteous to those he encountered in the realm of the resolution of construction disputes. He made an enormous contribution to engineering, dispute resolution and the wider construction industry." — John Lyden, Conciliator, Cork 

"He was a gentleman who not only worked hard to promote Alterative Dispute Resolution but he always gave of his time to assist and nurture the next generation of professionals. He was always available and his views and humour will greatly missed. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam." — Keith Kelliher

Author: Sean Finlay, director, Geoscience Ireland, c/o iCRAG, Science Centre, UCD, with assistance from Damien Owens, Frank McDonald and Gerard Monaghan.