Tag: #imqs | Geoscience Ireland

RSK has announced the acquisition of Irish Drilling Limited (IDL), a member of Geoscience Ireland and a leading mineral exploration and ground investigation contractor.

Founded in the mid 1960’s, Irish Drilling has its head office in Loughrea, County Galway. It has carried out major geotechnical investigation and mineral exploration drilling contracts in Ireland, the UK, the Isle of Man and France. Its clients include Irish Water, SSE Renewables, Bord na Móna/Powergen, Anglesey Mining plc and various public sector organisations.

Recent projects have included geotechnical investigation for
• Eastern and Midlands Region Water Supply Project (Irish Water)
• Wind farm projects on behalf of Bord na Móna
• Gort Lowlands Flood Relief Scheme (Galway County Council/Transport Infrastructure Ireland)
• Ten-T Priority Route (Donegal County Council/Transport Infrastructure Ireland).

In addition, the company has recently completed a mineral exploration drilling programme for Parys Mountain (Anglesey Mining plc).

Irish Drilling has a team of 40, including engineers, geologists, mechanics, laboratory technicians and drillers.

Irish Drilling Managing Director Ronan Killeen, who will continue to lead the business, said: “We are delighted to be joining the RSK Group and believe that the expertise and resources that the RSK Group can provide will help us to expand and grow the business throughout the island of Ireland.”

RSK Chief Executive Officer Alan Ryder said: “We are delighted to welcome Irish Drilling, an internationally recognised mineral exploration, drilling and geotechnical investigation contractor, to the Group. IDL has been an expert in its field for more than 50 years and its team will help RSK, the largest provider of geotechnical investigation in the UK, to expand its drilling capability into Ireland in support of existing and new clients.”

RSK now comprises more than 175 companies, employing 10,000 people. The group’s annual turnover at the end of the financial year 2021/2022 is expected to be in excess of £800 million, more than double that of the previous year.

For more information, please contact Lisa Templeton, RSK Media & PR Lead (ltempleton@rsk.co.uk)

The first graduates in Geo-Drilling were awarded their Higher Certificates in Science by South East Technological University (SETU) at its Carlow campus on 12th January. The 18 successful apprentices were from the classes of 2021 and 2022.

The Geo Drilling Apprenticeship, launched in late 2019 by the then Minister of State Damien English TD, is designed to provide a Level 6 qualification for the very skilled and exacting work by drillers who gather data and information on the subsurface. This information is a crucial foundation for the development of groundwater resources, minerals , construction, energy and infrastructure projects.

The Apprenticeship is overseen by a Steering Committee representing industry, state, semi-state, regulatory, trade union, professional organisations and third level bodies, including Geoscience Ireland (GI), Geological Survey Ireland, the Health and Safety Authority, SIPTU, Irish Water, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the National Federation of Group Water Schemes, Engineers Ireland Geotechnical Society, the International Association of Hydrogeology, the Irish Mining & Quarrying Society, the Institute of Geologists of Ireland and the Irish Association for Economic Geology. Several drilling companies are represented, including GI members Irish Drilling, Priority Drilling, Causeway Geotech, Geo Drilling Solutions, GSI and QME. Other companies on the Steering Cte are Tara Mines, Fogarty Drilling and IGSL.

Commenting at the Graduation Ceremony, Sean Finlay of GI and Chair of the Steering Committee said;

“I am delighted to see the first Apprentices in Geo-Drilling receiving their Certificates. Despite the challenges of Covid and personnel shortages in the industry, SETU staff led by Ger Keohane (Course Director) along with Anne Crowley, Brian Byrne and Stefan Peterson have delivered an excellent and comprehensive qualification for a cross section of experienced and new drillers in the field. The support of industry, the Steering Committee and of SOLAS has also been crucial. In particular, the role played by the principal contacts for the Apprenticeship – Stephen Walsh and Shane Lavery initially and Joe Mongan since 2022 – who liaise with SETU, the students and the industry has been essential for the success of the course.”

The photo shows the Apprentices present at the Conferring Ceremony and includes SETU and GI staff.

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Irish Drilling joins RSK

First Geo-Driller Graduates from SETU

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