CIBSE Ireland AGM 2026: Technical growth, global reach, and industry connection drive 2026 strategy
The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Ireland convened its Annual General Meeting on Thursday, 16 April, at the Clayton Hotel in Ballsbridge, Dublin. The gathering served as a pivotal moment for chairperson Laura McMahon to reflect on a year of significant momentum and to set the trajectory for her continued term.
Laura expressed pride in CIBSE Ireland’s progress, highlighting that the institution’s strength lies in the professionalism and energy of its dedicated committee. She noted that the Ireland branch is in a strong position, bolstered by a proactive, collaborative approach to industry challenges.
Expanding professional and technical horizons
A cornerstone of the past year’s success was the robust technical CPD programme, curated by Michael Curran, which included a bi-annual webinar series during the spring and autumn. These sessions remained closely aligned with CIBSE technical guidance while prioritising sustainability and system performance. By engaging industry leaders and subject-matter experts, CIBSE Ireland ensured its members received high-quality, relevant knowledge year-round. This commitment to excellence was further showcased when Laura presented at the new CIBSE headquarters in London, highlighting Ireland’s strong standing and technical contributions within the global organisation.
Networking and charitable contributions
The institution’s flagship industry networking event, the CIBSE Ireland Christmas Lunch, sponsored by Panasonic in 2025, was cited as a major success, significantly enhancing regional visibility and engagement. Beyond professional networking, the event carried a strong philanthropic element, raising €5,100 for Cancer Trials Ireland.
Additionally, the annual golf day in August, sponsored by Lindab, saw broad participation from across the industry, including consultants, contractors, and suppliers.
Laura commented, “This event continues to strengthen cross-industry relationships and has been confirmed for late August of the upcoming year to maintain this vital industry connection.
Modernising knowledge sharing and talent development
To modernise knowledge sharing, CIBSE Ireland launched the “Bringing Buildings to Life” podcast earlier this year. The monthly series is serving to amplify Irish engineering voices on a global stage. This platform has already garnered international attention, with listeners reaching as far as New Zealand.
Supporting the next generation of engineers also remained a priority, evidenced by the inaugural Seamus Homan Award, awarded to Sean McMahon this year, for innovation and active engagement at the TU Dublin careers day.
The successful CIBSE Workshare programme, involving companies Ethos and Designer Group, provided young professionals with valuable insights into different disciplinary working practices and helped bridge the gap between consulting and contracting.
Vision for the future and committee appointments
Looking toward the 2026-2027 term, the institution intends to build on its established foundation by promoting the value of chartered engineer status and further refining its technical offerings to meet evolving safety and sustainability priorities.
This year’s committee represents a diverse mix of seasoned professionals and emerging leaders, including Vice Chair Paul Tighe, Honorary Treasurer James Porter, and Honorary Secretary Sarah Boylan.
Under the continued leadership of Laura McMahon, CIBSE Ireland remains committed to inclusivity, university engagement, and maintaining a strong sense of community within the building services sector.
The CIBSE 2026 Committee comprises Laura McMahon (Chair), Lawler Sustainability; Paul Tighe (Vice Chair), Ethos; James Porter (Honorary Treasurer), Euro Gas; Sarah Boylan, (Honorary Secretary), Kerrigan Mechanical; Paul Martin (Branch Almoner), The Housing Agency; Heather Holt, (Chair, WIBSE), Tech Refrigeration; Stephen Weir (Immediate Past Chair), Hereworks; Michael Curran, SOLAS; Michael McDonald, TU Dublin; David Doherty, T Bourke; Pat Lehane; Mona Duff, WELL Building Institute; Debo Adeduntan, AECOM; Jimmy Cullen, James A Cullen Consulting Engineer; Dylan Ryan (Chair, CIBSE YEN), Euro Gas; Emma Hinch (Vice Chair, CIBSE YEN), Jones Engineering; Sean McMahon (Treasurer, CIBSE YEN) EICL; Christy Faul, ORS; Anna Rooney, AECOM; Niamh O’Halloran, Black & White; and Ryan Loney, HSE.