Inside Sisk

John Sisk & Son

‘Meet the people behind the projects’. For 165 years, John Sisk & Son has been building the places where we live, work, play, and pray. Still family-run, the company behind so many iconic projects puts its success down to its people. People with many skills but one goal: to create exceptional places that leave a positive legacy. In ‘Inside Sisk’, we meet the people behind the projects. We hear what drives them, what fulfils them, what it means to be a part of the Sisk family. Their own stories, in their own words.

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20 episodes
Updated Oct 28, 2025

Episodes20

Newest first

Oct 28, 2025 · 31 min
S4 Ep6 - "Immediately the brain is kicking into gear - how are we building this?"
Project Director Sean Stagg shares the inside story an iconic project that had the eyes of the nation on it - the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road (now Aviva) stadium. Aged just 35yrs old when he got the call, Sean experienced the “pure emotion and excitement’ of being appointed to the project, before the ‘fear’ of what lay ahead took over. But despite the challenges he faced, his firm belief in a successful outcome never waned. In this episode of Inside Sisk: The Legacy Series, Sean shares the highs and the lows of this landmark project and the valuable lessons he learned about problem-solving, community engagement, and work-life balance. Inside Sisk: The Legacy Series explores the enduring impact of construction — not just the projects that transform skylines and cities, but the people, values, and culture that leave a lasting mark long after the work is complete. Unlike previous series, which focused on the challenges, innovations, and stories behind individual builds, this series digs deeper into what it means to create legacy. Through personal reflections from those shaping the built environment, we uncover how buildings, projects, and everyday interactions together can create legacies that last.
Oct 21, 2025 · 25 min
S4 Ep5 - “Sustainability is a career that people are proud of being part of now”
What does legacy look like when your job is sustainability? For Sarah-Jane Davies, it’s about ensuring that Sisk’s work leaves places, communities and the planet in a better way than before the work was done. In this episode of Inside Sisk: The Legacy Series, Sarah-Jane traces her journey from being “the annoying person on sites talking about waste” to becoming Head of Sustainability UK at Sisk, where she is helping to shape the long term sustainability strategy of the company. She also talks about her passion for apprenticeships, community outreach, and her bold plan to plant 1.7 million trees to mark Sisk’s 170-year anniversary. Inside Sisk: The Legacy Series explores the enduring impact of construction — not just the projects that transform skylines and cities, but the people, values, and culture that leave a lasting mark long after the work is complete. Unlike previous series, which focused on the challenges, innovations, and stories behind individual builds, this series digs deeper into what it means to create legacy. Through personal reflections from those shaping the built environment, we uncover how buildings, projects, and everyday interactions together can create legacies that last.
Oct 14, 2025 · 27 min
S4 Ep4 - “There are always solutions — sometimes they just take longer to find.”
Project Manager Ger Coleman tells the inside story of One Opera Square, the city-centre build that became his legacy project. As a proud Limerick man, Ger always wanted to build at home, and Opera Square gave him that chance. But along with the pride of breathing life back into his home city, came unforeseen obstacles and sleepless nights. On this episode of Inside Sisk: The Legacy Series, Ger shares the full story of his time on Opera square – from the initial joy of re-shaping Limerick city centre to how he managed to navigate the twin pressures of overcoming engineering challenges and coping with the eyes of friends and family on his work. We also learn how Sisk is leaving a lasting legacy on the communities in which it works. Inside Sisk: The Legacy Series explores the enduring impact of construction — not just the projects that transform skylines and cities, but the people, values, and culture that leave a lasting mark long after the work is complete. Unlike previous series, which focused on the challenges, innovations, and stories behind individual builds, this series digs deeper into what it means to create legacy. Through personal reflections from those shaping the built environment, we uncover how buildings, projects, and everyday interactions together can create legacies that last.
Oct 7, 2025 · 25 min
S4 Ep3 - “If something comes easy, it’s not worth it. If it’s a challenge, it’s worth it.”
Caryl Perez came to Sisk as a young graduate and she remembers the nerves of that first day like it was yesterday, “ I was about to go into security and I just broke down.”. Caryl also clearly recalls the warm welcome she received from her new colleagues, and how that turned everything around. And as Caryl has progressed through the industry, to the role of Project Manager that she holds today, the support and encouragement of the people around her has remained central to her success and the fulfilment she derives from her work. In this episode of Inside Sisk: The Legacy Series, Caryl shares the story of the legacy project that played a major role, not just in her career, but in society in general. She also reflects on the lessons that have shaped her so far - separating facts from emotions when pressure spikes, adapting your style for clients and contractors, and saying yes to stretch roles even when they’re scary. Inside Sisk: The Legacy Series explores the enduring impact of construction — not just the projects that transform skylines and cities, but the people, values, and culture that leave a lasting mark long after the work is complete. Unlike previous series, which focused on the challenges, innovations, and stories behind individual builds, this series digs deeper into what it means to create legacy. Through personal reflections from those shaping the built environment, we uncover how buildings, projects, and everyday interactions together can create legacies that last.
Sep 30, 2025 · 26 min
S4 Ep2 - “Our people are creators—they go out every day and create something from almost nothing.”
On Marcus Carne’s first day in construction as a newly qualified Quantity Surveyor, he was handed a shovel and put to work on a trench so that he could ‘learn the value of a pound’. It was an early lesson in the importance of understanding how connected every person on a project is, and the impact that any decision you will make can have. Today, as Chief Commercial Officer at Sisk, Marcus reflects on other valuable lessons that he has learned throughout his 30-year career, including a very challenging legacy project that opened his eyes to the power of team, purpose and storytelling. He also talks about leadership, responsibility, and the baton we pass to the next team. Inside Sisk: The Legacy Series explores the enduring impact of construction — not just the projects that transform skylines and cities, but the people, values, and culture that leave a lasting mark long after the work is complete. Unlike previous series, which focused on the challenges, innovations, and stories behind individual builds, this series digs deeper into what it means to create legacy. Through personal reflections from those shaping the built environment, we uncover how buildings, projects, and everyday interactions together can create legacies that last.
Sep 23, 2025 · 27 min
S4 Ep1 - “Who doesn’t want to build big stuff that lasts for 125 years?”
Every project leaves a mark, but some leave a legacy. For Regional Engineer Lauren Luck, a city-shaping transport project in Leeds became more than just another milestone — it redefined how she thinks about her work, her career, and the impact she can have on others. In this episode of Inside Sisk: The Legacy Series, Lauren shares how she overcame complex challenges, what she learned along the way, and why the real legacy of construction isn’t just in the structures we build, but in the people we inspire and support every day. Inside Sisk: The Legacy Series explores the enduring impact of construction — not just the projects that transform skylines and cities, but the people, values, and culture that leave a lasting mark long after the work is complete. Unlike previous series, which focused on the challenges, innovations, and stories behind individual builds, this series digs deeper into what it means to create legacy. Through personal reflections from those shaping the built environment, we uncover how buildings, projects, and everyday interactions together can create legacies that last.
Nov 27, 2024 · 32 min
S3: Ep 9 - Talent, Torchbearers and Time to Reflect
Since launching the ‘Breaking New Ground’ strategy, Sisk has been leading the way in the modernisation of the construction industry. A great deal of time and investment has been made into Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), Digital Transformation, and achieving Net Zero. However, true to Sisk’s company values, investing in the right people to drive this strategy forward has remained paramount. In this episode of Inside Sisk, Paul Brown reflects on his first three years as CEO. He talks about the challenges he faced in the early days of his tenure, the great strides that the company has made in the industry in the last three years, and why people will always be his priority. Paul also talks about the inaugural Torchbearer Awards – a ceremony designed to recognise and reward colleagues that truly embody the spirit of Sisk’s Breaking New Ground strategy. We will hear from three of the twenty-nine winners, who share their passion for their work and their vision for where the construction industry is going. Featuring: Paul Brown, CEO of Sisk Peter Nagy, Drone Operator Mollie Craig, Data Analyst Richie Sheehan, Site Manager
Nov 7, 2024 · 34 min
S3: Ep 8 - Life Along The Line
Between Foynes Port and Limerick City lies a 42km stretch of railway line. It has been unused for over two decades but now Sisk is bringing it back to life, building new infrastructure where necessary and restoring the original where possible. On this episode of Inside Sisk, we learn about the level of work and specialist skill required to restore a 200 year-old railway line, and also how this project is playing a central role in the modernisation of freight transport and in Ireland’s green agenda. Featuring: · Stephen Hickey, Project manager · Ted Kelly, Senior Quantity Surveyor · Lar Deegan, Rail manager · Martin McElligott, Foreman
Oct 16, 2024 · 33 min
S3: Ep 7 - The Making of Silvertown
Silvertown is a very large, former industrial area on the Royal Docks in East London. It has a rich history but the 50 acre site has lain derelict for decades. Today, it is being regenerated to house a new generation of London residents and Sisk has been awarded the contract to build the very first plot here. This is a particularly unique project, not only due to the challenging nature of the site, but also because of the modern methods of construction being used for the first time and some of the very specialised carbon-reduction systems in place. In this episode of Inside Sisk, we meet members of the onsite team and learn about this innovation in practice, the importance of strong working relationships, and the positive impact that the Silvertown project is having on the local community Featuring: · Conor Moynihan, Senior Engineer · Satasha Pillay, Quantity Surveyor · Kevin Vickery, Project Manager · John Adler, Project Lead
Jun 26, 2024 · 34 min
S3: Ep5 - Breaking new ground on a new Sisk HQ
In the year that Sisk celebrates its 165th anniversary, it is closing the doors on the headquarters it has occupied for over six decades, Wilton Works, and moving in to a brand new home. The new company HQ in Citywest, Co Dublin, is a “people environment”. Much thought has gone into bringing colleagues together, both for productivity and for play. Importance has been placed on the internal colours and textures and the external views that they see, and the comfort of the spaces they occupy. This is a place designed for people. Since its foundation in 1859, Sisk has understood that the success of the company relies entirely on the people working in it. The quality of their craftsmanship, the creativity and intelligence with which they solve problems, and the company culture that together, they create. And so the company has always placed an emphasis on care, on being a place where people feel valued and supported and where they can do their best work. In this episode of Inside Sisk, we take a tour of Sisk’s new home in Citywest and learn about how, as Sisk breaks new ground in a continually-evolving industry, its 165-yr old culture of care is more important now than ever. Featuring: Donal McCarthy, COO, Data Centres, Life Sciences, and Technology. Steven McGee, COO Ireland and UK
May 29, 2024 · 34 min
S3: Ep 4 – Community Nursing Units
In late 2022 the Irish government awarded Sisk the contract to build seven state-of-the-art Community Nursing Units (CNUs) across Ireland. CNUs are residential care facilities that provide full-time medical care for patients while also relieving pressure on acute hospitals, and, as such, they play a critical role in the country’s healthcare system. Moreover, these new facilities are being designed and built in a way that will create a home from home for residents, ensuring comfort and familiarity, and assisting in recovery. Sisk broke ground on all seven CNUs in December 2022 and in this episode of Inside Sisk, we learn about the unique challenges that this approach presented, how Modern Methods of Construction and cutting edge digital tools helped overcome these challenges and maximise efficiencies, and the positive impact that design can have on our health and recovery. We also take a tour of the CNU project site in Athlone, Co Westmeath. Featuring: James Moloney, Regional Director, Sisk Regional Building Cathal Dempsey, Contracts Manager, Athlone CNU Dermot O‘Hagan, Director at JNP architects & CNU Project Architect
Apr 25, 2024 · 33 min
S3:Ep3 – Isle of Man Ferry Terminal
Standing on site at Sisk’s Isle of Man Ferry Terminal project in the UK city of Liverpool, it’s impossible to tell the unique challenges it has presented, because they are mostly underground. Beneath the surface lies centuries of maritime history – ancient docks, chambers, access gates, and many other structures and artefacts that have built up over hundreds of years of dockland activity. In this episode of Inside Sisk, we meet the team behind the project and discover how they have applied creativity, cutting edge technology, and years of experience to solve the unique problems they have faced, successfully building on a rich history and creating a new legacy. Featuring: Jason Hurst, Project lead Alex Belcher, Project Planner Josh Hanson, Head of Digital Project Delivery, Sisk UK Sophie Dick, Assistant Engineer
Mar 27, 2024 · 41 min
S3: Ep2 - Malmo Data Centre
Data Centres have become a central part of modern life, enabling the cloud-based platforms and services we rely on for communication, collaboration, e-commerce, creativity and much more. As our reliance on the cloud grows, so does our need for data centres. In this episode of Inside Sisk, we learn about how Sisk is rapidly becoming a leader in the delivery of these vital pieces of infrastructure around Ireland and Europe, for some of the world’s biggest technology companies. We visit Sisk’s data centre project in Malmo, Sweden and meet some of the onsite team. They talk about the technology and modern methods of construction at play, what makes this particular site and the way it is operated unique, and what it’s like to live and work in Sweden. Featuring: · Padraig Mullen, Project Lead · Ros O’ Flynn, Contracts Manager · Diarmuid O’Sullivan, Director, Ireland and Europe · Frank Power, Site Agent · Niamh Conlon, Fit Out Manager · Wayne O’Malley, Section Foreman
Feb 28, 2024 · 29 min
S3: Ep1 - Glass Bottle
The Irish Glass Bottle site is one of Dublin’s most high-profile projects and is widely considered to be central to the evolution of Ireland’s capital city. Located near Dublin Port, Glass Bottle is a 15 hectare former industrial site that is currently being transformed in to a place for thousands of people to live, work, and socialise in the community. Sisk is currently constructing Phase 1 of this iconic project, which includes almost 600 homes, both private and Social & Affordable. In this episode of Inside Sisk, we meet some of the members of the Sisk onsite team and learn about what’s being built today to help shape the city of tomorrow. Featuring: · Fergus Beirne, Contracts Manager · Ciara Sinden, Senior Document Controller · Dave Carroll, Senior Engineer · Arkadiusz Niedoja (Eric), working with Sisk via Way2Work Ireland · Mick Murphy, Site Manager About Series 3 of Inside Sisk In this series we are taking you on a tour of some of Sisk’s landmark projects across Ireland, the UK, and mainland Europe. We meet the people behind these projects and discover how their work is Creating Places for Future Generations. We’ll also learn how John Sisk and Son is breaking new ground in the construction industry and leading the way when it comes to technology, people, culture, and sustainability.
Dec 14, 2022 · 30 min
S2: Ep6 - The projects behind the people
One of the most rewarding aspects of working in the construction industry is the opportunity to work on big-ticket, flagship projects that not only have an impact on those who build them, but that also serve the current and future generations of people that will work, live, play, or pray in those structures. In this episode of Inside Sisk, we take a tour of Ireland’s largest sports stadium, Croke Park, in the company of the man who led its redevelopment into a world-class 82,000 seater stadium. Paul Carmody spent twelve years of his 46-year career with Sisk on this project and he shares the highs and challenges of the experience, and what he learned from it both professionally and personally. We will also hear again from three previous guests from the series and learn about the projects that have had a significant impact on them, during their time with Sisk: Sisk Site Manager Paul Minihan; Lindsay Griffin, Senior Proposals Manager; and John Dennehy, Regional Commercial Director, Sisk UK.
Dec 7, 2022 · 35 min
S2: Ep5 - How innovation is driving opportunity
One of the most exciting aspects of the modern construction industry is the phenomenal level of innovation that is infusing all parts of the business. This change is not just having an impact on projects, but on people too. Roles are changing and growing, people managers are having to lead in a whole new way, and relationships with clients are quickly evolving. During times of change, the opportunities for personal, professional, and commercial development abound. On this episode of Inside Sisk, we meet two guests who outline how their sectors are innovating through digital technologies and modern methods of construction, the opportunities and challenges it presents to them and their teams, and how they are helping to bring clients on the journey: Jennifer McCullagh, Head of Facilities Management at Sensori fm – a company that is part of the wider Sisk group; and Jody Coleman, Commercial Director at Sisk Rail.
Nov 30, 2022 · 32 min
S2: Ep4 - Building across borders
In this episode of Inside Sisk, we learn about the company's rapid expansion across Europe and the UK, some of the flagship projects that are being built, and the valuable opportunities and experience that Sisk team members can gain by working directly on the Sisk’s international growth. Our guests are Paul Minihan, Sisk Site Manager, who has been working in Europe for over four years; and John Dennehy, Regional Commercial Director for Sisk UK South, who joined Sisk’s early UK operations over 37 years ago.
Nov 23, 2022 · 30 min
S2: Ep3 - Where the trade meets technology
A feature of several Sisk projects is the significant level of digital technology and new building techniques at play. Building Information Modelling (BIM), Digital Twins, and Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) are just some of the innovations driving forward the modernisation of the industry. On this episode of Inside Sisk, we examine how these technologies work, the impact they are having on time, cost and sustainability, and how they are elevating the role of the human in the construction industry. Our guests on this episode are: Viktoria Roy, Senior BIM engineer Charlie Corcoran, IT Enterprise Architect James Crosse, Senior Design manager
Nov 16, 2022 · 31 min
S2: Ep2 - Projects with purpose
In 2016 a design competition was announced for the redevelopment of Phase 4 of Great Ormond Street Hospital - arguably the most recognisable children’s hospital in the world. Sisk pitched for the project, and won. This episode of Inside Sisk is a fascinating study into how healing environments are created, building a space that can evolve alongside medical technology, and the impact of working on a project with such a unique purpose. We meet two of the people behind this iconic project: PCSA Project Director Stephen Knight Stringer and Karen Greaves Erickson - Sisk Senior Design manager.
Nov 9, 2022 · 31 min
S2: Ep1 - Building bonds with brilliant people
In a time of great uncertainty, being surrounded by brilliant people becomes more important than ever. In this episode of Inside Sisk, we meet Lindsay Griffin (Senior Proposals Manager) and Alan Kelly (Specialist Plant and Mobilisation Manager). Through their stories and how they describe their roles in Sisk, Lindsay and Alan reveal the critical importance of the relationships we form in work, and how these connections underpin the success of the entire company.