Award winning Tipperary engineer inspires students at her former school's awards ceremony

A Carrick-on-Suir woman honoured as Engineer of the Year four years ago, highlighted the importance of more women pursuing careers in engineering at Scoil Mhuire Secondary School’s annual student awards.

Aisling Hahessy, a senior structural engineer with engineering consultancy firm Arup, was the guest of honour speaker at her former secondary school’s awards ceremony on Thursday, May 15.

The whole school gathered together to celebrate the accomplishments of the past academic year. It was a joyful event recognising the hard work and achievements of students in various areas of school life.

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The ceremony began with a warm welcome from Principal Mary O’Keeffe, who praised the students’ efforts, creativity and dedication.

Awards were presented for students who embodied class spirit, achieved perfect attendance, Silver Gaisce recipients as well as those who displayed leadership in art, music, drama, the environment, baking and sports.

Among the highlights was the presentation of the CEIST Award to 6th Year student Maude Geoghegan. The award was presented by Chaplain Ms Maura Jones, Pat Dunphy, representing Carrick-on-Suir Credit Union and John Casey.

Pat Dunphy of Carrick-on-Suir Credit Union presents Sixth Year student Jane O’Keeffe with the Mossy Casey Student of the Year award.

The 6th year Student of the Year Award is named after John’s uncle, Mossy Casey. This award was awarded to Jane O’Keeffe from Whitechurch, Owning.

In a very motivating speech to the students, Aisling Hahesy reassured them that their future career may not be obvious now, as it wasn’t to her at the age of 17, but that by taking “leaps of faith” and grasping life’s opportunities, their path would become clear.

Structural engineer Aisling Hahesy pictured during her speech at Scoil Mhuire Secondary School's annual awards ceremony

Aisling from Tanners Gate, Carrick-on-Suir was awarded the prestigious accolade of Engineer of the Year by Engineers Ireland in 2021.

Scoil Mhuire’s students and staff were gripped to hear about her journey on the road to success in her career.

She detailed how being a structural engineer is a challenging career, one which enables her to constantly grow and learn.

She has the creative outlet of the art and design aspect mixed with the science element of ensuring the structures she designs, such as bridges and tunnels, are safe, secure and able to withstand storms and earthquakes.

There is a misconception that engineering is not a compassionate career. Aisling proved this isn’t the case and how she is often required in countries with fewer resources.

She travelled to Peru, which suffered much structural damage after the landslides of 2017, to aid with a reconstruction project. This highlighted the importance of ‘inclusive’ design in her line of work.

Aisling spoke of the value of more women in engineering and why it is crucial that engineering is not just seen as a career stereotypically for men.

Shocking facts such as that 73% more women than men will be injured in a car crash, and that PPE equipment is ill-fitting on women compared to men, reinforced her point that it does matter that more women see themselves in these roles.

Aisling concluded her speech by telling students some valuable life lessons she has learned along the way to becoming Engineer of the Year. Those lessons are: be curious, say yes to opportunities, and you are capable of more than you think.

Scoil Mhuire students who received Silver Gaisce awards at the school’s annual awards ceremony. From left: Moya Campbell, Mollie Fitzgerald, Aine Hogan, Emma O’Shea, Alaina O’Shea, Laura Doyle and Eibhlis Bartley