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The CIF hosted its International Women’s Day 2026 event on 6th March, at Johnstown House Estate, Enfield, Co. Meath.
The day brought together over 650 attendees in person, with hundreds more joining via livestream, for a landmark gathering focused on leadership, inclusion and the future of Ireland’s construction sector.
Held under the theme “Give to Gain”, the sold‑out event highlighted how investing in people, diversity and collaboration strengthens organisations and the industry as a whole. The programme featured keynote addresses, expert panels and graduate voices, reflecting CIF’s commitment to meaningful progress at every level of construction.
Key strategic themes
Opening the event, Stephen McCarthy, President of the CIF, emphasised that progress in gender balance and inclusion requires shared responsibility and leadership across the sector. He noted that the expertise and ambition represented at the event demonstrate what is possible when opportunity, respect and investment in talent are prioritised.
The event also featured participation from Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, who joined industry leaders for the morning programme, reflecting the importance of collaboration between government and the construction sector in supporting inclusive growth and workforce development.
A central feature of the day was a series of panel discussions addressing key strategic themes shaping the industry.
Panel 1: Digital Adoption & Innovation, moderated by Denise Tuffy, Director of Specialist Contracting at CIF, examined how digital leadership and innovation are transforming construction delivery, with contributions from senior leaders across industry and enterprise.
Panel 2: ESG – More Than Carbon Management, moderated by PJ Ryan, Head of ESG at CIF, explored the broader environmental, social and governance responsibilities facing construction organisations, highlighting the need to embed sustainability and social value into core business strategy.
Panel 3: A Day in My Boots – Apprentice Graduate Panel, moderated by Sean Downey, Director of Safety, Education and Training at CIF. Graduate engineers, assistant site managers and early‑career professionals shared first‑hand experiences of entering and building careers in construction, offering inspiration to students and future entrants tuning in via livestream.
Panel 4: The Inclusion Exchange – Why Investing in Others Strengthens Us All, moderated by Laura O’Donovan, Head of Business Development at the Irish Centre for Diversity. The discussion focused on how inclusive leadership, equality and investment in people drive stronger organisations and more sustainable industry outcomes.
Closing the event, Andrew Brownlee, Chief Executive Officer of the CIF, reinforced that inclusion is central to the industry’s ability to meet Ireland’s housing, infrastructure and climate challenges. He highlighted the importance of diverse leadership, apprenticeships, digitalisation and partnerships in shaping a construction sector that reflects modern Ireland and is fit for the future.
Sponsors
A sincere thanks to the Diamond and Platinum Sponsors of International Women’s Day 2026, whose support was instrumental in delivering another sold‑out event. Their continued commitment enables CIF to provide a platform that brings industry leaders, early‑career professionals and future talent together to share experiences, drive innovation and advance meaningful progress on inclusion across the construction sector.
Their support reflects a shared belief that investing in people strengthens organisations and the industry as a whole.
Inclusive, resilient and positioned to deliver
International Women’s Day 2026 forms part of CIF’s wider commitment to advancing diversity, leadership development and opportunity across the construction industry, supporting a workforce that is inclusive, resilient and positioned to deliver for communities nationwide.
View the media from the day here.