Build a Career that Lasts at PJ Hegarty | Spotlight: Peter Nestor

Peter was first introduced to quantity surveying by a secondary school guidance counsellor, sparking his interest in the construction industry and setting him on the path to PJ Hegarty.

Since joining the team, Peter has gained a deeper understanding of the industry and the role that strong communication and collaboration play in every stage of a project. Working closely with colleagues, clients, and subcontractors has shown him how essential clear communication and teamwork are to ensuring projects run smoothly and challenges are addressed early.

He acknowledges that construction can be demanding at times, with every project offering something new to learn. However, Peter sees the constant learning as one of the sector’s greatest strengths. It has helped him grow professionally and build confidence as he continues to develop his skills.

For Peter, the culture at PJ Hegarty stands out. He describes it as friendly and supportive, both internally and in the way we work with clients and subcontractors.

Build a Career that Lasts | Graduate Spotlight: Sinead Labuguen

At PJ Hegarty, a career in construction is more than just a job, it’s an opportunity to learn, grow, and make a lasting impact.

Sinead, an Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Advisor, joined PJ Hegarty after beginning her career in environmental health. Her background was in the food sector and environmental monitoring, but she was drawn to construction because of how much there was to learn. ‘Joining PJ Hegarty has been the best decision, the teamwork, variety, and constant learning make every day rewarding.’

Out of college, she was eager to begin her journey in the health and safety sector. PJ Hegarty offered a supportive and dynamic environment that she was looking for, allowing her to apply her academic knowledge while gaining hands-on experience through mentorship, site work, and involvement in real safety initiatives. She has felt encouraged to grow, progress, and build her skills in a meaningful way.

One of her first observations was understanding how essential communication and collaboration is in health and safety. She quickly saw that working as an EHS Advisor goes far beyond theory. Working closely with on-site teams, understanding their challenges, and building trust deepened her knowledge.

Working in a male-dominated field was initially daunting, but she credits the experience with helping her become more confident and resilient. ‘The support here made all the difference.’

Her advice to new graduates is simple: don’t be afraid to ask questions. ‘At PJ Hegarty, curiosity is encouraged; it’s how you learn and grow.’

Inspiring Future Women in Construction

PJ Hegarty was recently welcomed to speak with Jones Engineering and The Construction Industry Federation with the TY Careers Class at St Angela’s College, Patrick’s Hill, Cork, about careers in the construction industry.

It was a great opportunity to speak at an all-girls school and encourage involvement in STEM subjects.

Graduate Engineer Alyson McKeogh and Student Quantity Surveyor Shannon Deane shared their experiences working within main contracting. At the same time, Genevieve Rose, Chairperson of our ERG, Empowering Women in Construction, highlighted the wide range of career paths available to women across the industry.

2025 Construction Safety Campaign Roundup

As part of this year’s Construction Industry Federation Annual Safety Campaign, we’re proud to have supported it yet again as a Gold Sponsor.

Throughout the campaign, our teams and contractors took part in activities focused on the theme of ‘Back to Basics’, reinforcing safety principles that emphasises everything we do.

Some of the key activities during the campaign included:

  • Teamwork Insights shared by Bernard Brogan.
  • An interactive safety drama workshop led by Ethos Empowerment.
  • Guest speaker Marian Deasy delivering a session on Working at Heights.
  • John McNamee discussing the principles of safety leadership.
  • An in-depth look at plant safety practices.

A big thank you to our EHS team and our supply chain partners for their hard work in organising the events, and to everyone across our sites who took part.

World Menopause Day: Understanding the impact

On Friday, October 17th, we were joined by Loretta Dignam, Founder & CEO of The Menopause Hub and a Forbes 50 Over 50 Global leader, for an insightful webinar.

Loretta broke down why menopause matters, what it really is, and how its symptoms can impact both personal and professional life. She shared practical management and treatment options, highlighting the crucial role workplaces play in supporting individuals going through menopause.

At PJ Hegarty, we value all our employees and place our core values, Safety, Sustainability, Inclusivity, Relationships, and Forward Thinking, at the heart of everything we do. This webinar reflects these values, reinforcing the importance of menopause awareness for health, safety, and performance. It also provided clear, practical steps to help us create a more inclusive and supportive workplace for everyone.

Thank you to Loretta for leading such a meaningful conversation, and to our Employee Resource Group, Empowering Women in Construction, for supporting and leading this initiative.

PJ Hegarty Award-Winning Commitment to Safety

We are delighted to have received two awards at the 34th Annual National Irish Safety Organisation (NISO) Occupational Health & Safety Awards. PJ Hegarty was recognised with both the Consistent High Achiever Award and the Regional Award for the Eastern Region.

These awards highlight our commitment to health and safety. They reflect the collective efforts of our teams and partners. We recognise the hard work and dedication of our EHS team in creating a positive safety culture across all our sites.

Thank you to our site management teams, staff, and supply chain partners for their unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards.

Cycle of Hope 2025

This week marks Cycle Against Suicide, during which teams cycle from Mizen Head to Malin Head to raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention. This initiative highlights the importance of breaking the stigma surrounding these topics, encouraging open conversations, and changing the narrative on suicide in preparation for World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th. PJ Hegarty sponsored the team as they cycled from Lahinch to Salthill.

For more information on Cycle Against Suicide, see here.

Eastern Region Celebrates 100 years of PJ Hegarty

We gathered at the Guinness Storehouse on September 4th to celebrate 100 years of PJ Hegarty with the people who make it all possible, our incredible staff.

A heartfelt thank you to every member of our team for your tireless efforts and dedication over the years. We couldn’t do it without you.

On the night, the staff at the Guinness Storehouse looked after us with their incredible hospitality. We listened to Natalia on the saxophone, which set a fantastic tone for the night. This was followed by live music from Sunset Boulevard that kept the energy high into the early hours. Jamie Skelton also showcased his impressive magic skills, winning over even the biggest skeptics!

Here’s to continuing our journey for the next 100 years.

Momentum Games 2025

On September 5th, nine members of our team took part in the Momentum Games. The challenge saw the team take on various activities such as skiing, rowing, and biking stations, testing both endurance and teamwork. This competition supports the Dublin Simon Community, an organisation dedicated to helping those experiencing homelessness.

Well done to everyone who got involved and contributed to such a worthy cause!

 

Domestic Abuse Awareness Webinar

We were joined by Women’s Aid for an impactful webinar. The focus was on raising awareness of domestic abuse and its impact in the workplace.

At PJ Hegarty, our values include safety, Sustainability, Inclusivity, Relationships, and Forward Thinking. All of which go hand in hand with addressing the societal issue of domestic violence. We have enrolled in ‘The Employer Response to Domestic Abuse’ training programme offered by Women’s Aid, ensuring we play an active part in addressing and preventing domestic violence and abuse in society.