News & Events

Launch of NAWIC in Ireland

13 March 2009

Mason Hayes & Curran were delighted to launch National Association of Women in Construction, (NAWIC ) Ireland in their offices on Tuesday March 10th.

NAWIC Ireland aims to offer women in construction opportunities to access information and to develop relationships with other professionals within the industry through a series of networking events. The number of women working in the construction industry in Ireland has steadily increased over the last number of years particularly in the various professions involved in the industry, leading to the demand for such an association.

Susan Bryson, Partner at Mason Hayes & Curran and Chairperson of NAWIC Ireland said:

“The launch of NAWIC here in Ireland offers professionals in the construction industry the opportunity to access information and develop business with other people working in this sector. This is the first organisation of its kind in Ireland. We all tend to focus on the areas within construction that we specialise in, be it the legal end or the project management side of things. By developing a network of people within the industry, members can gain access to different professionals within the sector. They can lift the phone to an engineer, architect or surveyor to get advice or help.”

The event which was held at the Mason Hayes & Curran offices was attended by over 100 women.

The ultimate goal for members of NAWIC is to create business opportunities. The construction industry is unique in that so many different types of professionals are involved and are required to work closely together. Our members can develop relationships with people working in other professions who they may wish to partner with or seek advice from when working on projects. Despite the negativity surrounding the construction industry at the moment there is still considerable activity within the industry with output for 2009 expected to be approximately €17 billion. 

The guest speaker on the night was Dr.Nael Bunni who is a chartered Arbitrator and Conciliator and Professor at Trinity College Dublin who has vast experience of International dispute resolution in construction gained through appointments in construction disputes in over fifty jurisdictions. Speaking at the launch he said:

“In the challenging times we find ourselves today, and particularly in the construction industry, it is prudent to remember what Louis Pasteur once said, ‘fortune favours only the prepared mind’.  Therefore, an organisation such as the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), which provides educational and networking opportunities and hosts a number of social and business events for its members, is exactly what is needed to prepare the mind for a competitive edge.  Such a competitive mind can score not only domestically but also internationally.”

“It is a great honour to be the guest speaker at this inaugural event, at which NAWIC will be launched in Ireland, particularly as it promises to be a huge success from the number of women who indicated their support for the invitation to attend,” Dr. Bunni continued.

NAWIC was founded in the US 50 years ago. It was originally set up as a type of support group for women in the construction industry who were then the minority. It now has over 6,000 members worldwide.

“One of the main advantages for the members of NAWIC is that they can create links with professionals within the sector in the UK and further afield. We will be organising a series of events over the coming year for our members and would encourage people to keep an eye on the website for details on these” Continued Bryson.

Pictured above (left to right) at the National Association of Women in Construction in Ireland launch are Tara Walsh, Aisling Cullen, Elizabeth Wheeler, Susan Bryson, partner, Mason Hayes & Curran and chairperson NAWIC Ireland,Collette O'Halloran, Gillian Hegarty, Rachel Kenny and Niamh Cronin

Fur further information on NAWIC Ireland please contact Susan Bryson, Partner, Construction Department of Mason Hayes & Curran.