Thank you for attending the 2026 MMC Ireland National Conference!
Click here to view the delegate list.
Click on the speaker photos below to access their presentations from the event!
Paul Tierney, CEO – MMC Ireland
Paul is the CEO of MMC Ireland having taken up the role in May 2023. Paul has over 30 years’ experience in the MMC industry having been the CEO of ESS Modular, one of the UK and Ireland’s leading off-site construction companies until 2022.
MMC Ireland is the representative body and voice of Ireland’s dynamic MMC sector. It is the knowledge bridge between the industry and its clients. Its mission is to provide a unified voice, advocacy, and support to help Ireland’s MMC sector grow and succeed.
Paul has a long standing passion for driving MMC adoption and in his role with MMC Ireland is working with a number of Government bodies in assisting them in understanding the key principles involved in creating a sustainable MMC industry in Ireland.
Ronan Lonergan MRIAI – Pre-Construction & Innovation Lead, Cairn Homes
Ronan Lonergan heads up the Innovation and Pre-Construction Team, where he focuses on evolving how Cairn design, build and what that will look in the future. This includes evaluating new construction methods, digital & offsite construction and decarbonising the designs. Additionally, Ronan and his team coordinate each project for delivery as it moves from Planning or Acquisition to on site.
Ronan leds the team responsible for the Digital Design Toolkit along with developing the concept, including related previous ideas such as the Design Toolkit, Technical Design Library & Cairn’s build approach.
Sarah Jane-Pisciotti – Innovation and Design Director, SISK
As Innovation & Design Director for Sisk, Sarah-Jane is responsible for the service delivery of Integrated Sustainable Solutions (ISS) to all Sisk sectors and geographies, reducing embodied carbon and driving design optimisation, programme reduction and cost savings. She directs the Sustainable Design, Carbon Engineering and Design Management function at Sisk and is responsible for the Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Strategy. Central to her role is cross-disciplinary collaboration to support identification and scaling of sustainable innovation working with operations, procurement and the design and construction supply chain. She is a Board member of MMC Ireland and Construct Innovate.
Dr Daniel McCrum – Associate Professor – University College Dublin & Construct Innovate
Dr Daniel McCrum is an Associate Professor in Structural Engineering at the School of Civil Engineering, University College Dublin, where he leads the Modern Methods of Construction
Research Group (ucd.ie/mmcrg/). Dr McCrum is a funded principal investigator and member of the Centre Executive Management Committee of Construct Innovate, Ireland’s National Research Centre for Construction Technology and Innovation. Within Construct Innovate, Dr McCrum also leads the challenge theme on Productivity, Affordability and Cost, which directly relates to improving the adoption of modern methods of construction. Dr McCrum is currently leading a €3m funded project in collaboration with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to develop standardised construction details for MMC.
Charlotte Garrett – Head of Industry Strategy – KOPE
Charlotte is Head of Industry Strategy at KOPE and a leading advocate for industrialised and offsite construction. With a background in architecture and extensive sector expertise, Charlotte drives the adoption of digital product platforms that connect design, manufacturing, and delivery. Working closely with major programmes, contractors, and manufacturers to standardise demand, improve productivity, and enable data-driven decision-making. A regular speaker across the UK and Europe, focusing on practical pathways to industrialisation and the role of digital tools in transforming project outcomes.
Jakub Urbanczyk – Digital Construction Manager – Cairn Homes
Driven and dynamic digital construction professional with expertise in BIM and digital project management, construction technology, and data analytics. Proven ability in leveraging cutting-edge technology to elevate and integrate construction processes, ensuring efficiency and innovation.
Adept at navigating construction digital platforms and implementing data-driven strategies for optimal project outcomes I bring a balanced approach, leading by example with determination and humility. I foster a collaborative environment, and demonstrate team leadership, coaching and guiding my team to deliver exceptional results and grow professionally.
I am passionate about continuous learning, personal evolution, and cultivating a culture of innovation. My leadership style, rooted in resilience and adaptability, seamlessly integrates technical prowess with interpersonal skills for unparalleled success in the digital transformation of the construction industry.
Linda Kane – Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment
Linda Kane is a Senior Economist in the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE). Ms Kane joined the Department in November 2019 and previously worked as part of the secretariat to the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council before joining the Labour Market and Skills Unit. Prior to joining DETE, Ms Kane worked for the Central Bank of Ireland and the European Central Bank. She has experience in the areas of monetary policy, international relations, fiscal policy and macroeconomic forecasting, and has been a member of multiple European working groups and committees both in Frankfurt and in Brussels. Ms Kane’s qualifications include a Master of Arts (Economics) and a Bachelor of Arts (Mathematical Studies and Economics) from University College Cork.
Oliver Kinnane – Founder and director of the MSc in Architecture, Urbanism and Climate Action – University College Dublin
I am a researcher and an educator focused on achieving a more sustainable built environment. Amongst other roles at the School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy I am:
– Founder and director of the MSc in Architecture, Urbanism and Climate Action at UCD School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy.
– Lead academic at the Building in a Climate Emergency Research Group. (https://www.ucd.ie/biace/)
– Lead on the Resilient Design Curriculum reform at UCD Architecture funded by the Higher Education Authority, Human Capital Initiative.
– PI on eight different international and national research projects including the EU Green Deal H2020 Probono project, three Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland projects (nZEB101, FabTrads, MacAirH) and the Whole Life Carbon in Irish Construction Sector and Built Environment with the Irish Green Building Council.
– Member of the UCD Energy Institute and leading research through the Nexsys programme and a member of the Earth Institute.
I work with industry to innovate new low carbon concretes and concrete products. I report research findings to government departments on a regular basis including, primarily to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Department of Environment, Climate and Communications. I have undertaken consultancy work for the Department of Foreign Affairs. I have been part of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Climate Action.
Pat Kirwan – Associate Director, Head of Industrialised Design and Construction – Reddy Architecture
Pat Kirwan brings over 20 years of experience in the built environment, specialising in design development, sustainable strategies, construction management, and modern methods of construction (MMC). He has worked with leading Irish architectural firms such as Scott Tallon Walker, RKD, and Henry J Lyons on major national and international projects. Before joining Reddy A+U, he served as Director at C+W O’Brien Architects, delivering strategic initiatives for a giga project in Saudi Arabia.
Pat earned the Mott MacDonald award for his MSc dissertation on “MMC – A Driver for Increased Housing Output in Ireland” from the University of Salford. He co-founded MMC Ireland, representing the sector nationally, and co-authored the RIAI guide to Design for Manufacture and Assembly. Active on government taskforces, he has presented to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Housing, championing MMC adoption in Ireland’s residential sector.
Tony Woods – Owner – Midland Steel
Tony Woods is the founder and CEO of Midland Steel Reinforcement Supplies, established in 1998 and headquartered in Mountmellick, Co. Laois. With over 40 years’ experience across the construction and manufacturing sectors, he has led Midland Steel’s growth into a global market leader, with operations in Ireland, the UK, Norway and the USA. His leadership focuses on safety, innovation and sustainability, driving the adoption of advanced BIM-enabled off-site manufacturing.
Tony pioneered the company’s patented FasterFix modular reinforcement system, disrupting traditional reinforcement methods through smart manufacturing, automation and efficiency, while delivering significant job creation at Midland’s Portlaoise SMART facility. An avid supporter of hurling, particularly his native Tipperary, Tony reflects the sport’s spirit of teamwork and camaraderie throughout his teams and business partnerships.
Tom Cox – Construction Solutions Director, Saint Gobain
Tom has worked in the construction sector since 2001, building extensive experience across product manufacturing and the wider sector. With a degree in Environmental Science, he brings a strong sustainability mindset and a deep understanding of how building materials and modern deliver models can drive meaningful change across the industry.
He joined Saint-Gobain in 2007, holding senior roles at both brand and group level. Since 2018, Tom has led development and technical activity within the Off-site Solutions division, and now serves as Construction Solutions Director for the UK and Ireland. Working closely with industry and academic partners, Tom focuses on delivering practical, future-ready solutions which embrace emerging digital platforms and industrialised delivery to the help solve the sector’s biggest challenges
Gabriel Prior – Director of MMC, Nua Manufacturing
Gabriel Prior is Director of MMC at NUA, Glenveagh’s manufacturing arm. NUA is currently the largest residential manufacturing operation in Ireland, operating state‑of‑the‑art timber frame and light-gauge steel facilities.
In addition to managing NUA, Gabriel works to progress the industrialisation of MMC, combining precision manufacturing, advanced digital design workflows and high‑performance materials. This enables homes to be delivered with greater predictability, improved affordability, and enhanced energy and environmental performance.
Prior to joining NUA, Gabriel worked in the UK for fourteen years where he gained significant experience in a number of MMC-related roles with Saint Gobain.
Gabriel holds a Degree in Manufacturing Engineering from Technological University Dublin.
Colm McHugh – Centre Manager, Construct Innovate
Colm McHugh is Centre Manager of Construct Innovate – Ireland’s national research centre for construction technology and innovation. He is a chartered Mechanical Engineer with 20 years’ national and international experience in construction.
Prior to Construct Innovate, Colm has worked as an engineering consultant, main contractor, client representative and equipment supplier. Having seen the industry from most sides, he brings a deep understanding of the needs of stakeholders at all levels across the sector.
Construct Innovate’s core aim is to support organisations across the construction industry on the transition towards a more modern, productive and sustainable sector. Colm joined Construct Innovate in 2023 to operationalise the Centre and build a portfolio of industry supports, alongside the development of its industry-focused research programme.
Matthew Lenehan – Project Engineer, Murphy
Matthew is a mechanical design engineer in Murphy Ireland, working in water treatment plant construction. Since finishing college in 2023, Matthew has spent the last 2 years diving into Inventor and Revit, working tirelessly to bridge the two. While short on experience, Matthew’s curious nature and relentless work rate has resulted in self-learning parametric modelling in Inventor and has put him at the front of the pack exploring the capabilities of Informed Design. He is interested in parametric modelling and automated workflows. Matthew enjoys self-improvement, inside or outside the office, hard skills or soft, it doesn’t matter, if it helps him expand his skillset, he is willing to put in the work.
Lars Nystrom – Customer Adoption Specialist – Informed Design, Autodesk
With over 20 years of experience delivering tailored solutions across the manufacturing landscape, Lars is a technology enthusiast with a deep-seated make obsession. Today, his focus is on the future of building: Industrialized Construction. As a Customer Adoption Specialist for Informed Design at Autodesk, Lars bridges the gap between engineering and construction, helping organizations move beyond traditional silos toward true convergence. Passionate about how things work and why they matter, he guides customers in transforming manufacturable data into architectural reality. Lars mission is to empower teams to build more predictably and sustainably, ensuring that Industrialized Construction isn’t just a concept, but a scalable, operational success through Informed Design.
Padraig Boland – FET Manager, Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB)
With 19 years of LOETB service, including almost a decade as Training Manager, Padraig’s focus has shifted from day-to-day operations to the strategic direction of FET provision, particularly in the sectors that can accelerate the sustainable development of the Midlands. A key architect of the region’s response to the post-peat economy, Padraig chairs the Employment Continuity Pathways Working Group as a member on the Midland Regional Transition Team. His strategic focus aims to ensure that innovative projects—such as the National MMC Demonstration Park—align FET delivery with the emerging skills requirements of a carbon-neutral economy.
Jim Hargis – Manager Education and Training HUB, ST Andrews Resource Centre
Jim Hargis is currently Manager of the St. Andrew’s Resource Centre Education and Training Hub.
In recent years Jim has been responsible for leading the team that established the St. Andrews Training Centre in Dublin Port, the Junction Education and Training Hub in Pearse Street and the ICRG Hub in Amiens Street. He has been responsible for bringing together different state, private and community interests in a common goal to address the employment and skills deficit in the construction industry and elsewhere. The Dublin Construction Skills project has trained over 3000 construction workers and now also offers retrofitting at level four.
He has been a full-time community worker in Dublin Inner City for over 30 years specialising in employment issues, previously Jim was an electrical engineer.