Today, on International Women in Construction Day, we’re reflecting on an afternoon that reminded us exactly why this conversation matters.
According to the CSO, more than nine in ten workers in Ireland’s construction sector are men — a figure that has remained stubbornly unchanged for years. It’s precisely this reality that drives SIG to keep creating space for the women who want to change this statistic.
On Thursday, 26th February, SIG welcomed over 85 of Ireland’s most senior female leaders and managers in construction to The Westbury Hotel, Dublin, for our 4th annual Women in Construction Lunch — our most ambitious edition yet. Hosted in partnership with SIG Workplace, the event brought together directors, architects, suppliers, procurement specialists, consultants, fire protection experts, and government agency representatives for an afternoon of honest conversation, genuine connection, and real inspiration.
A Conversation Worth Having
The afternoon featured two panel discussions, each bringing a distinct and complementary perspective to the day.
First up, Tanya Mullarkey (Category Manager, SIG) hosted a conversation with four women who have built remarkable careers across the construction industry:
Penny Linton – Associate Director, Todd Architects
Frances Rooney – Owner & Director, FirePro
Lara Gomes – Sales Specification Manager, Saint-Gobain
Minka McInerney – Managing Director, McElroy Associates
The discussion ranged from personal journeys into the industry — some deliberate, many unexpected — to workplace culture, allyship, technology, and the human side of leadership. Panellists spoke candidly about caregiving, ambition, the allies who helped them, and the conversations construction still too often avoids. These weren’t polished soundbites. They were honest, generous reflections from women who have navigated this industry on their own terms — and the room felt every word of it.
Laura McLoughlin (Operations Manager, SIG Workplace) then took the floor on behalf of SIG Workplace, hosting a second conversation with Anisha Patel (Applied Research Consultant, Steelcase) and Bonny Coakley (Creative Director & Founder, Lumii) on the future of workplace design and the role women are playing in shaping the spaces we work in.
The day ended on a high note — the entire room gathered for a group photo before being treated to a live performance by the one and only Mary Byrne, whose powerhouse voice brought the afternoon to a close in the most memorable way possible.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
None of this would have been possible without the support of Zentia, Framery, Knauf Insulation, Steelcase, Lumii, CBS, McElroy Associates, FirePro, Helly Hansen, Saint-Gobain, Omnicharge, and Sika.
Looking Ahead
Four years in, the Women in Construction Lunch has become one of the events we’re most proud of. The room keeps getting bigger, the conversations keep getting richer, and the connections made keep lasting longer. Here’s to the 5th.
SIG provides specialist building products and technical advice to Ireland’s construction industry across five branches nationwide. To find out more, contact us today.
