Needs must’ says architect who emigrated to Saudi

Married father of quads and chartered architect Tom Byrne is not where he wants to be, but admits “needs must”.

Earlier this year, the 55-year-old Co Clare man emigrated to Saudi Arabia after securing a two-year contract on a $50m industrial development where he works as project director.

Mr Byrne has beaten the same path as thousands of other architects and engineers who have moved to the Middle East and elsewhere after the collapse of our construction industry.