Monday 30 March 2026
Excellence in concrete design and construction was celebrated at the Irish Concrete Society’s Awards Evening, which took place recently in the Johnstown Estate hotel, Enfield, Co Meath.
Always one of the highlights of the construction industry’s calendar with 290 in attendance, this was the society’s 43rd annual awards evening. Adjudicated by a distinguished, independent jury of industry professionals, the awards recognise excellence in both design and construction in concrete.
The main awards jury reviewed a total of 26 projects nominated in three categories of Infrastructure, Element and Building. Sponsored by Enterprise Ireland, there were also six projects nominated for the 13th International Award. In addition, the winner of the annual Sean de Courcy Student Award was announced from four entries.
L-R: John Reddy, president of the Institute of Concrete Technology; Eoin Dunphy, chair of the Republic of Ireland Regional Hub IStructE; Tim Murnane, president of ACEI;John Jordan, president of Engineers Ireland; Mark Coatsworth, chair of the Irish Concrete Society; and Enda McKenna, chair of the Concrete Society, Northern Ireland Region.
Chair of the society, Mark Coatsworth, said: "For more than 50 years, the Irish Concrete Society has championed technical achievement in concrete design and construction, and tonight marks the 43rd occasion on which we gather to recognise the very best of our industry. At a time when sustainability is at the forefront of construction, the role of the Society in supporting our industry through this period of change has never been more important.
"The entries presented tonight demonstrate the highest standards of design, engineering and craftsmanship. The quality of submissions reflects the continued strength and capability of our industry.
"On behalf of the society, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to all members of the judging panels. The adjudication of these awards demands considerable time and expertise. Their dedication to this process, and the careful deliberation they bring to selecting the winners, ensures that these awards maintain the integrity and prestige they have built over more than four decades."
John Jordan, president of Engineers Ireland, and Damien Owens, director general.
The main awards
The main awards jury consisted of Keith Oliver (Flynn), Gerry Donnelly (Kavanagh Mansfield and Partners) and chaired by Rob Curley (Maremoto Architects and President of AAI).
Building Category and Overall Winner: University of Limerick Student Centre
Chosen from a total of 13 Building Category entries and 26 entries for the Overall Award.
Jury quote: "The University of Limerick Students’ Centre is an outstanding example of how concrete can be used to shape both architecture and experience. Located at the heart of the campus, the building creates a true social focus for student life, providing generous spaces for gathering, performance and exchange.
"Formed as an in situ reinforced concrete structure. This piece of civic infrastructure is rigorously organised on a 2.7-metre grid that informs structure, circulation and finishes. The project combines sustainability with refined architectural expression. The exposed concrete frame, top lit public spaces and carefully crafted internal finishes demonstrate exceptional quality and precision, while the building’s thermal mass plays a key role in its environmental performance.
"Concrete is expressed throughout the project in a number of forms including high-quality impression referencing the River Shannon internally, external pre-cast, and mother of pearl terrazzo floors. The architectural concrete used an ambitious mix with a high proportion of GGBS that ultimately matured to a refined, mellow finish. The slab design with concrete soffits, hidden services and upstand beams throughout the building, demonstrates a close integration of architecture, structure and services.
"The project delivers a calm, durable and welcoming environment that will serve generations of students. The jury commends the design and construction team for creating a distinctive campus landmark and a deserving winner that showcases the very best of concrete innovation."
Project client: University of Limerick
Architect: Cotter & Naessens Architects
Project engineer: Punch Consulting Engineers
Project Contractor: Monami Construction
Major Supplier: O'Connell Quarries
Building Category Highly Commended: Project Connect, RCSI
Jury quote: "A landmark new frontage to St. Stephen's Green, this project impressed the judges with its technical achievements including pre-cambering slabs to offer 16m spans, transfers at multiple levels, excellence in board marking and the sheer level of coordination required in the context. It demonstrates a cohesive vision and effort between the Design Team & Contractors."
Project Client: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Project Architect: Henry J Lyons
Project Engineer: O'Connor Sutton Cronin
Project Contractor: Bennett Construction
Major Supplier: Kilsaran
Infrastructure Category Winner: Brian Boru Bridge
Chosen from a total of six entered projects.
Jury quote: "This outstanding project exemplifies excellence in concrete engineering, build complexity, innovation and collaboration. Delivered ahead of programme within a highly sensitive environmental setting.
"The project is distinguished by its refined architectural expression and structurally showcases the versatility and performance of concrete through an exceptional combination of bespoke precast and in-situ solutions. Innovative precast pile cap caissons, specialist underwater concreting, and sculpted in-situ piers with integrated viewing balconies were delivered with superior precision, while overcoming the practical challenges of constructing in a marine setting and area of conservation. The bridge piers are particularly noteworthy due to their complex geometry, incorporating curved forms, cast-in structural steel nodes, and cantilevered viewing balconies, required a hybrid approach to formwork and meticulous attention to detail. The inclusion of ten cantilevered viewing balconies transforms the bridge from a purely functional asset into a civic landmark, encouraging public engagement with the river and surrounding landscape.
"The Brian Boru Bridge is a worthy winner and the jury commends the project team for delivering a technically challenging, visually striking and environmentally responsible piece of infrastructure that creates a landmark crossing of the River Shannon and represents the very best of concrete innovation in modern civil engineering."
Project Client: Clare County Council / Department of Transport / Tipperary County Council
Project Architect: Powell-Williams Architects
Project Engineer: RPS
Project Contractor: John Sisk & Son
Major Suppliers: Banagher Precast Concrete / O'Connell Quarries
Element Category Winner: The CarriageWorks Façade, Castleforbes
Chosen from a total of 7 entries.
Jury quote: "This project stands as a masterclass in the aesthetic potential of precast concrete distinguished by its flawless execution and material precision. The building is defined by an exceptional quality of finish and well-defined lines that lends the structure a sophisticated contemporary silhouette.
"Most striking is the bold use of terracotta coloured cladding which achieves a high level of consistency in terms of geometry and colour and transforms the facade into an impactful architectural statement, seamlessly blending industrial durability with a warm masonry inspired ambience.
"The project is commended for its low carbon credentials involving the use of supplementary cementitious materials which resulted in substantial reductions in embodied carbon without compromising architectural quality or structural performance."
Project Client: Eagle Street
Project Architect: O'Mahony Pike Architects
Project Engineer: DBFL Consulting Engineers
Project Contractor: John Paul Construction
Major Supplier: Techrete
Winner of the 13th International Award: Techrete for Stoke Goods Yard
Sponsored by Enterprise Ireland, this award recognises Irish companies who export product or services off the island of Ireland. The award reflects the continued emphasis on export for Irish construction.
The jury were Joe Friel (Enterprise Ireland), Anthony Horan (O'Connor Sutton Cronin) and chaired by David O’Mahony (Mola Architects).
Chosen from a total of six entries.
Jury quote: "Stoke Goods Yard is an exceptional achievement in concrete construction, exemplifying Techrete’s unwavering commitment to pushing the limits of sustainability in the built environment.
"The jury was particularly impressed by the project’s ambitious low-carbon mix design, delivered without compromise to the complexity, precision, or architectural quality of the finished façade.
"The innovative design of the double terracing units overcame multiple technical challenges to have wide ranging positive effects on program, budget and most importantly a significantly positive effect on the sustainable design approach of the project."
Project Client: Capital&Centric, Manchester, UK
Irish Export Company: Techrete
Sean de Courcy Student Award
This is an annual award given to the best project on a concrete related topic from accredited masters and degree programmes in Civil and Structural engineering faculties of Higher Education Institutes on the island of Ireland.
The award is named after the late Professor Sean de Courcy, an inspirational professor for many years at UCD, a former chairperson of the Irish Concrete Society, an author and historian of note.
The student award jury was made up of the Chair Cloragh Byrne (Arup), Aidan Fogarty (Ecocem) and Erin O’Donohoe (ESB).
Winner: Jessica Mahon (Trinity College Dublin)
Project title: 'Evaluating the Use of Recycled Aggregates, GGBS, and Sustainable Fillers in Low Carbon Concrete.'