Amy Murphy, a design director at architecture practice Henry J Lyons, has been honoured with the Overall Leader award at the Women in Construction Awards 2026. Now in its third year, the awards programme celebrates exceptional achievement and leadership across Ireland’s construction sector, and this year’s ceremony at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry, Dublin, attracted some 400 attendees from across the industry.Hosted by Fiona Buckley, the evening saw 23 trophies awarded from a field of 110 entries, with winners and finalists spanning disciplines across architecture, design, consulting, contracting, engineering and operations, reflecting the breadth of female talent driving construction excellence in Ireland.The distinguished judging panel noted that Murphy has extensive experience across large-scale commercial developments, and that her passion for adaptive reuse and retrofitting enhances her ability to craft innovative and sustainable architectural solutions. “Beyond project delivery Murphy’s mentorship and commitment to fostering practice culture set her apart as a leader in every sense,” said the award citation. “Her ability to drive innovation and design quality, while balancing business needs, makes her a truly exceptional figure in the field.”“I think the award is very important from a visibility and a representation perspective,” Murphy said. “It’s a really positive experience being here and it’s great to see how many fantastic women are working in the sector.”Gráinne Farrell, group marketing manager at event sponsor U Value Insulation, said the company was proud to support the awards and to celebrate the people making a real difference across the industry, adding that recognising their achievements helps inspire the next generation of construction professionals.Josephine Kane, purchasing manager at event sponsor Dornan, described the evening as one of the best awards nights the company had attended, showcasing the best female talent in the industry. She said Dornan would be back next year hoping for an even bigger room and audience.Maria McKeown of TODD Architects won the award in the business owner category while Victoria Mannion of O’Connell Mahon Architects was selected as mentor of the year. FKM Fit Out’s leadership team won the team award with the company’s Breda Gleeson also recognised for her operations leadership. Sinead Savage of McKeon Group was a dual award winner and Ethos Engineering celebrated awards for Andricke Smith, Andrea van Eeden and Müge Karasahin.Rising talent was also celebrated on the night, with awards going to Aoife Corcoran of John Paul Construction and Laoise McGrath of TODD Architects. “I think you can tell tonight that the atmosphere in the room and everyone who attended just had such support for each other,” McGrath said. “It’s really important to remember how much we can support each other by having these events.”Stephanie Grace, quality manager at Weltec Engineering, shortlisted in the sustainable leadership award category, remarked: “Sustainability leadership is about creating lasting impact through practical, measurable change, and awards like these highlight the progress being made across industries to integrate sustainability into core business strategies.”Judging coordinator Róisín Murphy said the programme highlights the leadership of women across every facet of the construction sector. “These women are true powerhouses, demonstrating the breadth of opportunities available across the industry, which should encourage the next generation of women to pursue careers in construction,” she said.Winners of the Women in Construction Awards 2026 The legacy award was presented to Catriona Gallagher, executive director at Designer Group, who has over 25 years’ experience in M&E contracting. Gallagher’s portfolio includes large-scale office developments in Ireland, UK and Europe for leading technology companies.Kevin O’Driscoll, director of partnership programmes at awards organiser Business River, said: “Events like this are made possible through the support of sponsors. We are thankful to our 2026 sponsors, which include U Value Insulation, Dornan, McElroy Associates, Kilsaran, and FKM Fit Out. I also want to recognise our supporter, Amárach Research. Their investment in the awards underlines their commitment and support of this key business area.”Awards judgesRóisín Murphy (judging coordinator) - senior lecturer, Technological University DublinCollette Burns - architectural project leader, campus planning, TU DublinLynda Cahalan - operations manager, Mercury EngineeringYvonne Callan - director, Creighan ContractsRachel Dudley - director, Scott Tallon Walker ArchitectsHelen Duffy - director, Sweco Ireland LimitedMary Catherine Greene - director of portfolio & assets, Glenveagh PropertiesEmma Maye - chief executive, Ardale and Core Building ProvidersJen McAuley - assistant lecturer in digital construction, Technological University of DublinGrace McConnell - associate director, LinesightAidan McGovern - chartered engineer, OPWJames McNamara - lecturer, TUS Midlands/Mid-WestMagda Mickiewicz - head of building & planning, Nua Healthcare Services LtdRachel Murray - director of people & brand, ORSJohn Spillane - associate professor, University of LimerickJulia Stevens - chief executive, ConstructionariumJoanne White - founder and director, Women in Construction IrelandLisa Wynne - director, Reddy A+UAward winnersOverall leader award Winner: Amy Murphy - Henry J LyonsGrainne Farrell, marketing manager, U Value Insulation, presents the overall leader award to Amy Murphy, Henry J Lyons Business owner of the year (sponsored by U Value Insulation)Winner: Maria McKeown - TODD ArchitectsAnn Marie Duffy, office manager, U Value Insulation, presents the business owner of the year award to Maria McKeown, TODD Architects Mentor of the year Winner: Victoria Mannion - O’Connell Mahon ArchitectsNeil Wall, community director, Business River, presents the mentor of the year award to Victoria Mannion, O'Connell Mahon Architects Best female-led team Winner: FKM Fit Out - Leadership TeamMinka McInerney, managing director, McElroy Associates, presents the best female-led team award to the FKM Fit Out team The workplace of the year (sponsored by McElroy Associates)Winner: CairnMinka McInerney, managing director, McElroy Associates, presents the workplace of the year award to Susan Carroll, Cairn Excellence in senior leadership - contractor (sponsored by U Value Insulation)Winner: Sinead Savage - McKeon Group Sarah Walsh, sales manager, U Value Insulation, presents the excellence in senior leadership - contractor award to Sinead Savage, McKeon Group Excellence in senior leadership - engineering Winner: Andricke Smith - Ethos Engineering Helen Duffy, awards judge, presents the excellence in senior leadership - engineering award to Andricke Smith, Ethos Engineering Excellence in senior leadership - architecture & design Winner: Amy Murphy - Henry J LyonsAmy Mulvaney, sales development team leader, Kilsaran, presents the excellence in senior leadership - architecture & design award to Amy Murphy, Henry J Lyons Excellence in senior leadership - consulting (sponsored by FKM Fit Out)Winner: Audrey Phelan - Jennings O’Donovan Shannen Friel, communications and bid manager, FKM Fit Out, presents the excellence in senior leadership - consulting award to Audrey Phelan, Jennings O'Donovan Excellence in project management Winner: Amalita Miranda - Cogent AssociatesRóisín Murphy, awards judging coordinator, presents the excellence in project management award to Amalita Miranda, Cogent Associates Excellence in engineering Winner: Andrea van Eeden - Ethos EngineeringRóisín Murphy, awards judging coordinator, presents the excellence in engineering award to Andrea van Eeden, Ethos Engineering Excellence in construction management Winner: Chere Daniels - CoffeyRóisín Murphy, awards judging coordinator, presents the excellence in construction management award to Chere Daniels, Coffey Best operations leadership Winner: Breda Gleeson - FKM Fit OutNeil Wall, community director, Business River, presents the best operations leadership award to Breda Gleeson, FKM Fit Out Best sustainability leadership Winner: Müge Karasahin - Ethos EngineeringNeil Wall, community director, Business River, presents the best sustainability leadership award to Müge Karasahin, Ethos Engineering Best health & safety leadership Winner: Shauna McDermott - SensoriBreda Gleeson, chief operations officer, FKM Fit Out, presents the best health & safety leadership award to Shauna McDermott, Sensori Best marketing & communications leadership Winner: Leonie Lawler - DBFL Consulting EngineersKevin O'Driscoll, director of partnerships programme, Business River, presents the best marketing & communications leadership award to Leonie Lawler, DBFL Consulting Engineers Best sales and commercial leadership Winner: Sinead Savage - McKeon GroupKevin O'Driscoll, director of partnerships programme, Business River, presents the best sales and commercial leadership award to Sinead Savage, McKeon Group Excellence in bids & tendersWinner: Una Elliott - Elliott GroupKevin O'Driscoll, director of partnerships programme, Business River, presents the excellence in bids & tenders award to Una Elliott, Elliott Group Best HR leadership Winner: Klaudia Nowakowska - HollyfortHelen Duffy, awards judge, presents the best HR leadership award to Klaudia Nowakowska, Hollyfort Diversity, equality and inclusion strategy of the year Winner: DBFL Consulting EngineersNeil Wall, community director, Business River, presents the diversity, equality and inclusion strategy of the year award to Sarah Curran, DBFL Consulting Engineers Rising star of the year - contractor (sponsored by Kilsaran)Winner: Aoife Corcoran - John Paul ConstructionLaura Johnson, group marketing manager, Kilsaran, presents the rising star of the year - contractor award to Aoife Corcoran, John Paul Construction Rising star of the year Winner: Laoise McGrath - TODD ArchitectsMonique Georgiou, site administrator, Dornan, presents the rising star of the year award to Laoise McGrath, TODD Architects Legacy award (sponsored by Dornan)Recipient: Catriona Gallagher - Designer GroupJosephine Kane, procurement manager, Dornan, presents the legacy award to Catriona Gallagher, Designer Group