The structural steel business was the foundation to developing my interest in heavy engineering and applications. While studying for college I was lucky enough to gain employment with a local engineering firm, and was employed as lead engineer in the manufacture and installation of some of Ireland's largest plant, including the grate cooler for Irish Cement and an electrostatic precipitator for Masonite Ireland.

Upon finishing my studies I qualified with a diploma in Industrial Design, and a degree in Consumer Product Design. As a mechanical engineer I gained employment with Lagan Cement and three years later I developed into a Quarry Manager, Civils and Vehicle Manager for the works.

Lagan Cement through a development program supported me in achieving a Bachelors Degree in Quarry Management from Athlone IT. I now operate as Quarry Manager for Killaskillen Quarries. I have travelled throughout Europe and America to develop my knowledge and experience in quarry operations.

The role of Quarry Manager is challenging and driven. A successful career is only achieved through development and ardent endeavour to do the best. Safety is of highest priority and every person who enters the gates should leave in the same manner as they came. It is my responsibility to implement company procedures and to ensure that all efforts are made to comply with new statutory requirements. Environmentally we all have a responsibility to our industry and to our neighbours. We must operate within our licensed constraints without being a nuisance to those neighbours.

The plant is located in what was once a green field site which in the past operated 11.5 hours per day to achieve set production targets. It now operates an 8 hour day achieving higher production rates with fewer resources. Continuous improvement and project development allows optimisation of our plant and systems. The flexibility and cooperation of a committed team of workers ensures that the operations run efficiently with any day to day issues resolved internally.

During blasting operations a cartridge of explosives weighing less than a pound delivers 1.4 million foot pounds of energy in less than 0.00004 seconds which corresponds to approximately 76 million horsepower. If this is not controlled correctly it can have devastating effects. I am a licesed shot firer with membership of the European Federation of Explosives Engineers and also the International Society of Explosives Engineers. Our quarry now holds records for optimisation of blasting and blasting procedures.

The role of the Quarry Manager is demanding but at the same time extremely rewarding. I work with some of the best in the Industry and with the support and drive of Lagan Cement see a more exciting and challenging future ahead of me in the Quarry Industry.