Author Archives: Irish Concrete Society

43rd Annual Awards Results

UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK SUDENT CENTRE WINS THE 43RD IRISH CONCRETE SOCIETY OVERALL AWARD

Excellence in concrete design and construction was celebrated at the Irish Concrete Society’s Awards Evening, which took place on the 19th of March 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.

Speaking at the awards evening Chair of the Society, Mark Coatsworth, stated:

‘For over fifty 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’.

The Main Awards

Building Category and Overall Winner: University of Limerick Student Centre

Element Category Winner: The CarriageWorks Façade, Castleforbes

Infrastructure Category Winner: Brian Boru Bridge

Building Category Highly Commended: Project Connect, RCSI

13th International Award

Winner: Techrete for Stoke Goods Yard

Sean de Courcy Student Award

Winner: Jessica Mahon (Trinity College Dublin)

The full results with jury citations and images are available to view here

Our congratulations to all the winners

How and Why Cubes Fail

Date: 17th April 2026 | Venue: Online

Overview:

Concrete is a complex and variable material, with cube samples tested to ensure that the strength of the structure meets the design specification. Occasionally test results come back below the specified strength, which may be indicative of a trend in lower results, or an isolated cube test that has failed for some other reason. Either way, low test results can call into question the safety and durability of a structure, leading to often costly and time-consuming investigations or remedial actions.

Delivered by two highly experienced industry professionals, this seminar will explain the reasons why concrete testing is carried out, the different types of strength tests, what is a failure and how concrete constituents  influence strength.

Our speakers will also examine the causes of cube failures and provide valuable information on correct sampling and testing procedures, in addition to action in the event of a failed strength test result.

Who Should Attend:

  • Structural Engineers
  • Site Engineers
  • Main Contractors
  • Specialist Sub-Contractors
  • Site Supervisory Personnel
  • Ready-mixed Concrete Producers

Programme:

10.30 Introduction
10.35 What is a Failure and How Results Fail | Vincent Anderson, MTS Ltd
11.10 Why Cube Tests Fail | Barry Gilroy, Mattest
11.45 Questions and Answers
12.00 Ends

Fees:

ICS Member: €95 / delegate
Non-member rate: €145 / delegate
A booking discount of 10% applies to groups of 5 or more

CPD: 1.5 Hours

Email events@concrete.ie to book

Christmas 2025

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year🎄

Thank you to all our members, council, sub-committees and speakers for your support, time and dedication throughout 2025. In the words of our chair, ‘the Society thrives because of the generosity and commitment of volunteers like you’.

Our office will close on Monday 22nd of December 2025 and reopen on Monday 5th of January 2026.

Tone and Texture: an exploration of the possibilities of architectural concrete

Date: 26th November 2025 | Venue: Online

Overview:

Concrete is one of the most dynamic and flexible building materials in architectural history. A multifaceted material, it has the ability to take on many forms, textures and colours.
Architectural concrete allows for extensive creative possibilities with finishes that can be polished smooth, imprinted, brushed, hammered, etched and cast in different colours to create incredibly diverse results.
Our panel of speakers will present case studies on buildings that used the colour, texture and form offered by architectural concrete to define a streetscape, integrate a home into its landscape, bring together modern and historical and create a sculptural building that connects to a contrasting environment.

Who Should Attend:

  • Architects (at all levels)
  • Consulting and Design Engineers
  • Ready-mixed Concrete Producers
  • Precast Concrete Manufacturers
  • Main Contractors
  • Specialist Sub-Contractors

Programme:

10.00 Introduction | Rob Curley, President AAI
10.15 Living in Landscape | Mark Arigho & Jane Larmour, Arigho, Larmour, Wheeler Architects
10.45 UCC Student Hub | Willie Carey, O’Donnell + Tuomey
11.15 Break
11.25 Castleforbes | John Macken, O’Mahony Pike
11.55 Marshall Building, LSE | Ger Carty, Grafton Architects
12.25 Questions and Answers
12.45 Ends

Fees:

ICS / RIAI / AAI Member: €95* / delegate
Non-member rate: €145*/ delegate
A booking discount of 10% applies to groups of 5 or more

* Earlybird rate available until 19th November, fees then increase to €115/€160

CPD: 2.5 RIAI Approved Points

Email events@concrete.ie to book

Advanced Concrete Technology Lecture

Date: 14th October 2025 | Venue: Trinity College Dublin

Overview:

Recycled aggregate concrete improves the added value recovery of better quality construction and demolition waste (CDW), avoiding its use for road construction or in landfilling and reduces the extraction of mineral resources. CDW production and demand for concrete are well matched, leading to small incorporation ratios of recycled aggregates having a very meaningful effect on the overall recovery ratios of concrete waste. Further, it opens the way for other, more profitable, avenues for CDW recovery, such as the use of recycled fines, after forced carbonation or thermal activation, as cement replacement. Notwithstanding the wealth of research on recycled aggregate concrete, its use as a structural material in most EU countries is met with reservations by the several agents involved in concrete construction. This presentation summarises the main ideas of a Science for Policy Report of the Joint Research Centre, overviewing the science behind recycled aggregate concrete, the current status for CDW recovery in the EU, and measures to promote recycled aggregate concrete as a common structural material.

Who Should Attend:

This free-to-attend lecture will be of interest to all those who are involved in the specification and production of concrete, to contractors and other agents of the construction sector and to those involved in construction and demolition waste management, and policy makers.

Programme:

5.45pm: Registration, Tea/Coffee
6.30pm: Use of Recycled Aggregate in Concrete lecture
7.15pm: Q&A
7.30pm: Event Ends
7.45pm: Group Dinner*

CPD: 1 Hour

Fees: Free to attend**

* Please indicate when booking if you would like to join the group for dinner and avail of the opportunity to talk further. ** There will be a charge for dinner.

Email events@concrete.ie to book

Entry to our 43rd Annual Awards is now open

Established in 1977, our prestigious Annual Awards are a celebration of excellence in design and construction in concrete.
Adjudicated by independent and distinguished juries of construction industry professionals, our Awards acknowledge construction achievements in which concrete, in any form, contributes significantly to the built environment.

The winning projects will be announced at our Annual Awards and Dinner Evening taking place on Thursday 19th of March 2026 in The Johnstown Estate, Enfield, Co. Meath.

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New Chairperson Elected

The Irish Concrete Society is delighted to announce that Mr Mark Coatsworth of John Paul Construction was elected as our new chair at the Society’s AGM on the 4th of September 2025.

Mark Coatsworth is the Associate Director for Preconstruction & Technology in John Paul Construction. He has over 30-years of experience in the industry in both the UK and Ireland. He has successfully led a wide array of projects in that time and has a keen understanding of best practice in managing large concrete frame projects in constrained city centre sites. In the past five years, Mark has led the Company’s embrace of innovation and technology, and is currently running a comprehensive business transformation programme.

Mark also served on our council from 2016 to 2019.

Mark is pictured being congratulated by outgoing chair, Mr Robert Laird.

Practical Concreting

Date: 18th September 2025 | Venue: Online

Overview:

Advances in constituent materials, production processes, and construction technologies have all contributed to improvements in concrete construction. However, the successful execution of concrete construction requires sound practice on site. Careful planning of on-site resources and processes, together with coordination and communication, are necessary to minimise potential problems, and to ensure quality is achieved and maintained throughout.
In this short course, our experienced panel of speakers will provide practical information and guidance for those involved in the planning, management and supervision of concrete construction work.

Who Should Attend:

This course has been designed for all those in mid to senior level positions. Contracts managers, project managers and site engineers will all find this course very beneficial. Site supervisory personnel, consulting engineers, ready-mixed concrete producers, and client representatives will also benefit from attending.

Course Content:

09:30  Welcome
09:35  Planning | Ciaran Collins, Walls Construction
10:15   Formwork | Erich Sumperhofer, DOKA
10:45  Pre-pour Preparation | Feildhim McElhone, John Paul Construction
11.15    Break
11.25   Ordering and Delivery | Colin Heffernan, Roadstone
11:55   Placing and Compaction | Peter Bryant, KWIK RC Frames
12:25  Finishing & Curing | Joe Gartlan & Eoin O’Meara, John Sisk & Son
12:55  Site sampling and Testing | Vincent Anderson, MTS Ltd.
13.15   Q&A
13.30  Ends

CPD:

4 Hours

Fees: 

  • Irish Concrete Society members: €95 pp
  • Non-member: €145 pp
  • 10% discount applies to groups of 5 or more

Email events@concrete.ie to book

Annual Joint Weekend with the Concrete Society Northern Ireland

The Irish Concrete Society and Concrete Society Northern Ireland are delighted to invite members and partners to their Joint Annual Weekend at the spectacular Lough Erne Resort on the 26th and 27th September. 

Hosted by the Concrete Society Northern Ireland, the weekend begins with a warm welcome and a gala dinner on Friday evening. On Saturday, guests will enjoy a scenic boat tour followed by a relaxing lunch, offering the perfect blend of leisure and networking.

Further information and registration details are available here.

Please note, this event is open to Irish Concrete Society and Concrete Society Northern Ireland Region members only.