Pictured above is All-Ireland winner and GAA legend Bernard Brogan
The second annual Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity Ireland Summer Lunch took place in Croke Park, Dublin.
Over 300 guests from the construction sector gathered for an afternoon of networking, laughter and fundraising to support the great work the charity does.
This year’s Lighthouse Club lunch attracted guests from many of Ireland’s leading construction companies
The event, held on June 9, was organised by iQuest and chaired by powerhouse Ivan Yates. Derek Murphy, Lighthouse Club Chairperson, opened the proceedings and welcomed all the guests including Joe Lambe, Tom O’Keeffe, David Hughes and Brendan Crealey of the Lighthouse Club Committees.
L-R: Hubert Fitzpatrick, Director General Designate, CIF; Joe Conway, CIF President; Natalie Ryan, Regional Lighthouse Ambassador, Lighthouse Club Ireland, Sarah Murphy, CEO, Business Post; Derek Murphy, Head of EHS, Designer Group; Dermot Carey, Director, Safety, Training & Skills, CIF
He welcomed Lighthouse Charity Ambassador Natalie Ryan, the charity’s first fulltime Irish employee.
He also noted that part of the committee work over the past year included setting up a committee in Northern Ireland, something that was recently achieved through Natalie’s hard work.
Bernard Crealey, ITS and Vice Chair of Lighthouse Club Northern Ireland Committee, David Hughes, Pure Fitout and Chair of Lighthouse Club Northern Ireland Committee; Natalie Ryan, Regional Lighthouse Ambassador, Lighthouse Club Ireland and Michaela Courtney, Secretary of Lighthouse Club Northern Ireland Committee
Natalie also took to the stage to give guests an insight into the workings of the charity.
She spoke to how, with over 14 years’ experience working within the construction industry in Ireland, she looks forward to growing awareness of the provision of emotional, physical and financial well-being support and services to the construction industry and their families.
Ross and David from The Dublin Trad Duo performed
Between courses, host Ivan Yates chaired a spirited panel discussion, which featured guest sports stars Bernard Brogan, Dublin GAA legend and seven-time All-Ireland winner; Carole Ann Clarke, Organisation Development and Transformation Consultant; Dick Hooper, first winner of the Dublin Marathon in 1980 and three-time Olympian and Greta Streimikyte, Paralympian and European gold medallist.
First Dublin Marathon winner and Olympian Dick Hooper
The group debated the highs of their careers, mental health in sport and life after their sports careers.
Guests also heard from Sinéad Savage, Head of Business Development for Mannings Construction Group and James Flint, EHS Lead with Winthrop Technologies.
Guests enjoying this year’s annual Lighthouse Club lunch
This discussion was facilitated by Dermot Carey, who heads up the Safety & Training department within the CIF.
Both Sinéad and James spoke of working closely with the Lighthouse Club charity over the past year and discussed the services on offer and the invaluable support it provides.
After lunch, host Ivan Yates then led the room through a lively charity auction followed by a good spirited game of heads and tails.
Broadcaster and entrepreneur Ivan Yates
Through the generosity of attendees, a fantastic amount was raised on the day from both fundraising initiatives, which now goes towards the charity’s vital work.
Ivan rounded off the lunch with a few rousing words while guests networked and socialised into the evening against the backdrop of live traditional music.
TOP L:R: Bernard Brogan, Greta Streimikyte, Dick Hooper, Carole Ann Clarke and host Ivan Yates
The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity Ireland Summer Lunch will now become an annual event. For further information about 2024, or to book a table for next year, please contact Maya Magdy on [email protected]
Pictures by Damien Eagers Photography
