Making Waves: ‘Devine’ inspiration sets County Roscommon woman on course to safeguard Ireland’s water supply

Growing up on the shores of Lough Gara, Boyle native Mairéad Conlon learned early on the value of water. Today, as Asset Strategy Manager at Uisce Éireann she is helping to secure Ireland’s water supply for generations to come.

When Mairéad reflects on her school days, she credits her Maths teacher, Sr Mary Devine, with instilling a lifelong skill - problem-solving. It’s a skill that has shaped her 20-year career as a chartered civil engineer and hydrologist and now underpins her work at Uisce Éireann.

Speaking during Science Week ( November 9th–16th), Mairéad hopes her story inspires others to consider STEM careers: “Careers in science and engineering are challenging but rewarding. It’s about solving problems that matter – for people, for communities, and for the environment,” she explained.

Growing up on the family farm on the outskirts of Boyle with her parents, Bridín and Michael, and her two siblings instilled in Mairéad an enduring appreciation and respect for the environment.

After completing a degree in Civil Engineering at NUI Galway and working in construction for a number of years, she returned to Galway to complete a Masters in Engineering Hydrology and she has been working in the water industry ever since.

Although just a child in the 1990s, she can remember vividly the impact of drought on the farm and its effect, not only on livestock but on the family.

“Water is intrinsic to all farm activities. I remember 1995 and the drought experienced that summer. Our farm and home is on the extremities of the Boyle scheme, and I can remember so clearly how it was to be without water for a prolonged period. I can still remember the noise of the cows, because they were stressed. There was a real stress too put on my parents with no water in the house and small children. Given that it rains so much in Ireland it can be hard to appreciate water as such a valuable resource but anyone who has experienced drought will know all too well how valued it is.” She played a key role in the development of the National Water Resource Plan, Uisce Éireann’s first 25-year strategic plan to identify how the utility will provide a safe, sustainable, secure and reliable water supply to their customers now and into the future, whilst safeguarding public health and the environment.

“With increasing pressure to meet water demand due to population growth, climate change and evolving environmental regulations, it is essential that we plan ahead. The National Water Resources Plan enables us to do that sustainably, while supporting economic development and population growth across the country. This plan will give all our customers a more secure level of service and significantly reduce the risk of experiencing what we in Boyle faced back in 1995. The work we are doing ensures people have security in their water supply,” Mairéad explained.

It was in this work that the problem-solving skills instilled in her years ago at Scoil Chriost an Rí came to the fore.

“Sister Mary Devine was an amazing teacher who pushed us beyond the Leaving Certificate curriculum. It wasn’t just Maths – she encouraged independence in problem-solving, which was invaluable for college and now in work. Every problem seemed hard at first, but she taught us how to break it down and solve it. That repeated practice of tackling complex problems really clicked with me and has stood to me ever since,” she added.

It was not alone Sr Mary’s input that piqued an interest in science and engineering for Mairéad. It was also the great opportunities afforded to her during Transition Year that opened her eyes to the potential journey that a career in STEM could bring her on.

“We were lucky to have had Trojan, the software company in Boyle, so I did work experience there and for those who opted to go down the computer science route, it was massively beneficial. I was also very fortunate to spend time at Michael Archer Architect and I found my time there to be really useful in terms of getting an understanding of what working in construction would entail. I loved that and it certainly did positively influence the choices I made at Third Level and set me on the road to what I’m doing now in many ways.” Teamwork and collaboration have been the cornerstones of Mairéad Conlon’s career. From her earliest days on site to her current strategic role, she has consistently valued the power of working together to solve complex challenges. Her career began with hands-on experience in construction, where she quickly learned that engineering is as much about people as it is about technical skill.

“The great thing about engineering and science degrees is that they equip us with highly transferable skills,” she explained. “You’re not just learning formulas – you’re learning how to think critically, adapt, and work in diverse teams.” One of her most formative experiences came in Sydney, where she worked on the delivery of a pipeline connecting the city’s new desalination plant to the urban water network.

“It was an amazing opportunity to work with people from all over the world and benefit from their insights. It was the first time I worked with such a diverse workforce, and it taught me the importance of collaboration across cultures and disciplines.” Closer to home, her early career included a placement on what was then one of Ireland’s largest construction sites – the cinema building at Dundrum Town Centre.

“That was an incredible experience. When you’re on site, decisions need to be made quickly, and even as a junior team member you’re involved. It’s a great learning curve, and you gain responsibility much faster than you expect.” These experiences gave her a strong foundation in project delivery, decision-making and the importance of clear communication – skills that continue to serve her well today.

Her ability to communicate complex issues in a clear and relatable way was evident this summer when she featured on national television and radio as a spokesperson for Uisce Éireann, highlighting the importance of water conservation and encouraging customers to use water wisely during periods of high demand. This experience reinforced a key strength that has shaped her career – the ability to combine technical expertise with strategic thinking.

That same strength is what drew her towards her current role - shaping the future of Ireland’s water services.

“It’s very satisfying to see a project delivered, but I really enjoy asset strategy because it is early-stage problem-solving. This is where we shape the big picture – how we manage resources, plan for growth, and protect the environment. Water services depend entirely on the environment – it’s our main raw product. That makes us vulnerable to climate change, water quality issues and pollution. And because we return discharges to the environment, the onus is on us to protect it. It’s circular, and we have a very important role to play.” For Mairéad, this isn’t just technical work – it’s a responsibility to communities and future generations.

“At Uisce Éireann, we’re solving problems that matter. Every decision we make impacts people’s lives and the environment. That’s why we’re passionate about what we do and we’re rising to the challenges we face.” It’s a challenge she embraces wholeheartedly – because safeguarding Ireland’s water isn’t just a job for Mairéad, it’s her passion.