From graduate engineer to director: A 25-year career helping to shape Ireland’s electricity future
Doireann Barry, director of business services at EirGrid. Picture: Shane O'Neill, Coalesce.
For the past 25 years, EirGrid has played a central role in ensuring the safe and secure supply of electricity to homes, businesses and communities across Ireland. During that time, the organisation has evolved significantly, as have the careers of the people who have been a part of its development.
Doireann Barry, Director of Business Services at EirGrid, has been with the organisation since its earliest days. For her, the opportunity to contribute to work that creates a lasting impact on society has been a constant source of motivation.
"I always knew that I wanted to work in the public sector, doing something that had a long-lasting impact on society,” she said.
“I joined EirGrid when the company was initially established, so I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of the company since the very start."
The electrification of society is changing how electricity is consumed. Increased demand from homes, businesses, transport and industry means Ireland requires significant investment in grid infrastructure to ensure electricity can be delivered where and when it is needed.
That's why EirGrid is currently progressing the most ambitious capital programme of infrastructure development ever undertaken on the transmission system in Ireland.
As this programme of work develops, Doireann's career journey offers a unique perspective on how both EirGrid and Ireland's electricity system have changed over the past 25 years.
After studying Electrical Engineering in University College Cork, Doireann began her career as a graduate in ESB National Grid, which later became EirGrid.
"When I began on the ESB graduate programme, there were three graduates in ESB National Grid, a much smaller scale than what the EirGrid Graduate Programme looks like now with 40 graduates each year."
The EirGrid Graduate Programme is a two-year development programme open to graduates from a wide range of disciplines. Through structured rotations, mentoring and practical experience, participants have the opportunity to develop their skills while contributing to Ireland’s changing energy system.
For Doireann, the experience offered by the graduate programme has been of great benefit.
"I had two great roles during the graduate programme, which allowed me to apply my engineering skills and soft skills in the real world.
"This really supported my development as an engineer and paved the way for me to take up a new role when I completed the programme."
Since completing the graduate programme, Doireann has taken on a range of roles within the organisation, moving through junior and senior engineer roles in Operations, before moving to a programme management role. Over the years, she has also taken up roles in IT, Strategy, Sustainability and Transformation.
That varied career path ultimately led to her current position as Director of Business Services.
"My current role is focused on ensuring the organisation has the right processes, suppliers, workplaces and delivery support in place to help it grow and deliver on its strategy."
Her team’s work spans many areas of the organisation. It includes supporting the effective management of major transformation projects, managing supplier relationships, developing EirGrid’s offices and workplaces, and putting the structures in place to help the wider business operate effectively.
While Doireann’s role has changed considerably over the course of her career, her motivation for working at EirGrid has remained consistent.
"The primary reason I am still with EirGrid after all this time is that I am proud and motivated in doing my part to enable the energy transition."
During her time with EirGrid, Doireann has seen the organisation change significantly and take on new responsibilities.
"EirGrid has grown significantly in our workforce and capabilities, the organisation structure is transformed, and we have developed a unique EirGrid culture. It feels like a completely different place from where we started. The job is much more complex but just as meaningful."
Doireann’s journey from graduate engineer to director reflects both her own professional development and the evolution of EirGrid over the past 25 years. As the organisation continues to expand its capabilities and deliver the infrastructure needed to support Ireland’s energy transition, graduates will have the opportunity to contribute to that work.
For those beginning their careers with EirGrid, Doireann encourages them to take full advantage of the variety of experiences available through the Graduate Programme.
"My main advice would be to seek out different experiences on the graduate programme so you can build your skills and your understanding of the organisation before transitioning to your permanent role. It’s a unique opportunity to support your personal development and inform your early career path."
To find out more about EirGrid graduate opportunities visit eirgrid.ie/graduates
