52 ELECTRIC.IE • The Magazine & Website for the Irish Electrical Industry • LEDVANCE Industry News Kirby Group Engineering Wraps Up 2025 with International Christmas Charity Campaign As the electrical contracting and engineering sector returns to sites and offices for the start of 2026, one of the industry's major players is reflecting on a significant season of giving. Kirby Group Engineering has successfully concluded its 2025 International Christmas Charity Campaign, distributing substantial funds to organisations across Ireland, the UK, and mainland Europe. The Limerick-headquartered mechanical and electrical engineering firm, which currently employs over 1,900 people, focused its end-of-year efforts on supporting the diverse communities where it maintains a project presence. The festive drive brought the total value of Kirby’s support for good causes in 2025 to an impressive €320,000, underscoring the company’s continued commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) alongside its commercial expansion. A Focus on Critical Care and Children Leading the 2025 festive donations was a primary contribution to Make-A-Wish Ireland. The charity, which grants wishes to children living with life-threatening medical conditions, received a €50,000 injection from the engineering firm. Susan O’Dwyer, CEO of MakeA-Wish Ireland, highlighted the timing of the donation, noting that the organisation had been experiencing extremely high demand for services closing out the year. “Kirby’s generous donation will significantly impact our ability to grant life-changing wishes,” O’Dwyer stated. “With this support, more critically ill children and their families can receive the respite and joy that a wish offers.” In addition to domestic support, Kirby maintained its long-standing partnerships with international humanitarian aid bodies. Both UNICEF and the Irish Red Cross received €25,000 each. Peter Power, Executive Director of UNICEF Ireland, noted that such corporate consistency is vital for long-term planning. He explained that the funds would go directly toward humanitarian responses in emergency zones, funding everything from medical care and safe water to essential survival services for children in conflict areas. Regional Support in the UK Reflecting its significant operational footprint across the Irish Sea, Kirby also directed funds to specific regional causes in the UK. In Wales, the firm supported The Wallich, a charity dedicated to supporting homeless people, with a donation of £10,000. A matching donation of £10,000 was granted to Alzheimer Scotland. For CEO Henry McCann, who took the helm at Kirby Group Engineering in early 2025, the campaign marked the conclusion of his first full year in charge. McCann views the donation drive not merely as a seasonal gesture, but as a core pillar of the company’s identity. “It’s a privilege for me to be able to lead this initiative and give an extra special boost to wonderful causes at what can be a difficult time of year for many people,” McCann commented regarding the campaign's success. He added that as Kirby continues to expand its reach—now operating across Ireland, the UK, Italy, Sweden, and South Africa— the obligation to support local ecosystems grows with it. “It’s important that an organisation like Kirby takes the time and resources to give back to the communities where we work, and we’re looking forward to doing that for many years to come.”. Henry McCann, Kirby CEO, presenting Kirby's Christmas Donation to Susan O’Dwyer, CEO of Make-A-Wish Ireland.
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