Name and position:
Patrick Kennelly, Chair of the Cork Region of Engineers Ireland, and Project Manager and Project Engineer at Concept Design
When you were small, what did you want to be as a grown-up?
I was not unique in my thinking as a child with lofty aspirations of playing for Manchester United as my first choice. The majority of time, however, I just loved the idea of building or inventing something. My maternal grandparents live beside Howes Strand in Kilbrittain and as a child I loved nothing better than to build sand castles there. Each sand castle needed a moat filled with water and a tunnel under the moat. My paternal grandfather possessed a love of carpentry and a shed with every tool imaginable. Here, I was given timber and my own tools to build what I wanted. Many a failed aeroplane and bridge were constructed.
Tell us about your career progression to your role today:
I received a degree in structural engineering from CIT in 2008 and a master’s degree from UCC in 2010. I entered the profession during the recession, so I didn’t get my first engineering job until 2012. I am now in my tenth year working for Concept Design where I have progressed from junior engineer to project manager.
With Engineers Ireland, I have been very fortunate to been involved in the Cork Region Committee since 2018. I have occupied the roles of young engineers society liaison, steps officer, liaison officer, and vice chairman for the region. I have also occupied roles within the Young Engineers Society of the Cork Region including chair, treasurer, and secretary.
What is the most enjoyable aspect of what you do?
Solving problems. There is nothing more satisfying than finding that solution to a road block in a project. Whether as part of a team or as an individual, the enjoyment is the same. Engineering is ultimately using basic concepts in maths and science to solve problems practically, so I am in the right profession.
What motivates you?
My inquisitive nature is a driving force. The constant need to find answers.
What advice would you give your 15 year old self?
What is meant for you will not pass you by. Do not procrastinate. Stay organised.
If you weren’t in the job you have, what would you be doing?
An archaeologist or historian. I have a keen interest in the past, especially in local history and military history. In every city I visit, my first item on the agenda is a walking tour. I am fascinated with the history of places and the changes that have occurred. I live in Kinsale which is brimming with history from the Battle of Kinsale to the Lusitania.
What is your greatest life or career achievement to-date?
Greatest life achievement - my family. Greatest career achievements - becoming a chartered engineer and the chair of the Cork Region of Engineers Ireland.
Who has had the biggest influence on you in your life?
From day one, my parents have always encouraged me. They have instilled in me a mentality to work hard and to aim high. My wife Claire is a formidable support.
What is the life dream now?
To provide my children with the very best start to life. I want them to be happy, healthy critical thinkers who are equipped to take on the world we live in.
How do you switch off?
Maybe to call it switching off is a stretch but I love to play and watch sport. I follow too many teams in too many sports. I love to travel to live sport, anywhere from Páirc Uí Chaoimh to Turner's Cross to Musgrave Park. I still try to attend as many games as I can with my childhood club Newcestown and local club Kinsale. I play soccer with Spartak Mossgrove in the West Cork League.
What is your favourite Cork memory?
While they are now distant memories, there is nothing that tops an All-Ireland win. From attending the match, to the homecoming celebrations.
What is your favourite place in Cork?
The coast. I love to swim and kayak and explore the coastline from Youghal to Castletownbere. We are lucky to have the most beautiful beaches, walks, and scenery on our doorstep in Cork.
Do you have a favourite quote or motto?
As Albert Einstein once said: “Once you stop learning, you start dying”. I am a firm believer in the need to continually upskill. You should never sit on your heels and feel happy in your bank of knowledge.
When are you at your happiest?
When I am spending time with Claire and Paddy, no matter where we are.
What is your hidden talent?
I come with an abundance of random facts, unusual knowledge, and useless information, making me the ideal table quiz teammate.
What might we be surprised to know about you?
Despite said memory skills, I struggle to recall or retain the lyrics to even one song. My humming skills are well and truly honed as a result.
Anything else you’d like to share with us?
The Cork Region of Engineers Ireland has approximately 3,000 members and represents 10% of the overall national membership of Engineers Ireland. Each year we provide up to 40 events for the local membership, attracting up to 3,200 attendees. These can be viewed on our LinkedIn website and on Twitter.
We endeavour to promote engineering as a career across the county with events we run, such as a Family Fun Day at the Old Cork Waterworks, and collaborative events such as the STEM South West Exposition. These events are open to the public and last March during Engineers Week, 2,000 primary school children attended the Family Fun Day.
We are always interested to engage with or offer support to any events in Cork in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. We encourage people to reach out to us.