Boyle Construction actively supports women in the industry as highlighted by its participation in Women in Construction (WIC) Week and the prestigious Women in Construction Awards, for which it was shortlisted in three categories in 2025.
A leading building firm in the North-West for over 40 years, Boyle Construction was proud and delighted to have Gail Carson and Tanya Russell in the running for three awards. HSEQ Manager Gail was a finalist in ‘Best Health & Safety Leadership’ and ‘Best Female Led Team’, while Bid Manager Tanya was nominated for ‘Excellence in Bids & Tenders’. The recognition came on the back of the Letterkenny-based main contractor winning the coveted Healthcare Project of the Year accolade at the 2024 Irish Construction Excellence (ICE) Awards.
Gail and Tanya have blazed a trail in a male-dominated industry to become key players in Boyle Construction’s growth and success. The Women in Construction Awards celebrate the most innovative individuals and companies driving excellence in Ireland’s construction sector, and the Donegal duo’s inclusion on the shortlist reflects their exceptional leadership, ambition and determination.
“As a company, we’re big advocates for women in construction,” Tanya says.
“We’re keen to increase female participation and recognition in construction, and to celebrate successes and champion opportunities for women to thrive in the sector.
“Out of over 100 staff, we now have 10 female employees. It’s still a small number, but well above the average in the North-West where construction continues to be heavily male-dominated.”
Gail adds: “What women bring to the construction shouldn’t be understated. We are typically more organised than men and more empathetic. We also tend to be more approachable which is an invaluable trait to have in an industry where there can often be a lot of stress involved. Mental health is a big thing for us.”
Tanya is a highly-accomplished professional with a background in law, having graduated with an Honours Degree in Law. She spent seven years as a Legal Executive, specialising in Property and Employment Law, where she achieved significant milestones in contract negotiations, dispute resolution and compliance management. Her legal expertise provided her with a strong foundation in analytical thinking, attention to detail, and persuasive writing skills that have proven invaluable in her transition to Bid Management in the construction industry.
Harnessing her legal acumen, Tanya seamlessly adapted to her role in bid and tender management, applying her expertise in persuasive and structured writing to develop compelling proposals. Her ability to analyse contracts and craft strategic responses has positioned her as an integral part of Boyle Construction’s success in securing major projects.
Before Tanya’s contributions, Boyle Construction maintained a low-profile, modest approach, refraining from entering awards, attending career fairs, or engaging in local networking opportunities. Recognising this gap, Tanya took proactive steps to elevate the company’s profile both locally and nationally.
Her efforts led to Boyle Construction’s increased engagement with local networking and industry events. Notably, she was nominated for the 2025 Town Chamber elections to advocate for the construction industry within the North-West, championing the benefits of employing local contractors and subcontractors. She has also been a panellist speaker at various ETB and Skillnet events, further strengthening Boyle Construction’s presence and leadership in the sector.
Tanya has been a guest speaker at numerous events organised by the ETB and Skillnet for the Women in Construction initiative, using her platform to empower, motivate, and educate women entering or advancing in the construction industry. Her speaking engagements are a testament to her commitment to promoting gender equality and creating opportunities for women in a traditionally male-dominated field.
Tanya takes massive pride in how well the tendering team works. Their dedication and collaborative approach have set them apart, helping transform Boyle Construction from a small family-run business into the competitive industry leader it is today. Tanya also sees a win in tendering as a full team effort, acknowledging that success is only possible with a team that fully collaborates. Boyle Construction is fortunate to have a tendering team that works seamlessly together, including Estimators & Quantity Surveyors (Jonathan McDaid, Chloe Kerr, Paddy McShane and Shane Neely), Senior Technical Manager (Shaun Sweeney), Commercial Manager (Seamus McLaughlin), Programmers (Mrunmayee Yarnal and Damien Nelis), BIM Coordinator (Victoria Nogueira) and Contracts Manager (Martin Callaghan).
Gail Carson has over a decade of experience leading the HSEQ Team (Health, Safety, Environment and Quality). Her leadership is defined by a hands-on approach, ensuring that safety is not just a compliance requirement, but a deeply embedded culture within Boyle Construction.
Gail is also committed to fostering the next generation of health and safety professionals, regularly mentoring students from colleges and schools across the region. Through her guidance, many young professionals have gained invaluable insights into the field of health and safety in construction, setting them on paths to successful careers.
Gail has played an instrumental role in ensuring the highest safety standards at Boyle Construction. A key achievement recently has been her leadership in the Ballyshannon CNU project, which successfully logged over 5,000 man-hours without a single reportable accident. She also continues to have a hands-on approach on all other live sites, including Letterkenny CNU (€58m) and Carrick on Shannon CNU (€40m) together with some smaller projects all in the region of €5m-€20m.
Gail has been actively mentoring students from ATU Donegal, ATU Sligo, and participants of the Women in Construction course, run by the ETB and Skillnet, providing invaluable guidance and support as they develop their careers in the construction industry. With a strong background in the field, she is passionate about sharing her knowledge, offering practical advice, and helping students gain confidence in their skills.
Beyond documentation, Gail actively raises awareness about safety challenges, conducting pre-construction briefings to emphasise key risks and best practices. She engages with site teams, subcontractors, and stakeholders, fostering a strong safety culture from day one.
Her commitment to early-stage planning not only enhances worker safety but also improves project efficiency by preventing accidents and minimizing delays. Through her leadership, Boyle Construction maintains an exceptional safety record, reinforcing its reputation as a company that prioritises health, safety, and wellbeing at every stage.
Gail is also actively involved in recruitment and talent development with Health & Safety in the North-West, taking the time to visit colleges and personally engage with students who are interested in careers in construction safety. By doing so, she has strengthened Boyle Construction’s pipeline of skilled professionals, ensuring that the company remains at the forefront of health and safety innovation.
Gail’s leadership in managing a team of health and safety officers across a diverse portfolio of construction sites showcases her ability to drive a culture of safety that is both proactive and positive. She understands that safety is not just a compliance requirement, but an essential part of creating a sustainable, productive, and supportive work environment.
Boyle Construction has experienced remarkable growth since 1984 when it was founded by Donal and Eugene Boyle. From humble beginnings, it has evolved into a thriving company with over 100 employees, who are supported and supplemented by the same tried and tested subcontractors.
Now under the management of brothers Martin and Michael Boyle – Donal’s sons – Boyle Construction is embedded in the local community and is proud to be able to provide employment for local graduates from ATU Donegal, ATU Sligo and Ulster University, thereby retaining talent in the North-West.
Boyle Construction began as a modest, family-owned business, founded with a vision for quality and integrity in the construction industry. Initially focusing on small residential and commercial projects, it gradually earned a reputation for reliability and excellence. The founders’ hands-on approach and dedication to customer satisfaction quickly set Boyle Construction apart in a competitive market.
As the company expanded, it diversified its portfolio to include large commercial, healthcare, fitout and industrial projects, leveraging its growing expertise and resources. Investment in skilled personnel and advanced technologies allowed Boyle Construction to tackle increasingly complex and large-scale projects. A commitment to innovation and sustainability further solidified its reputation as a forward-thinking company.
Today, Boyle Construction stands as a leading construction firm in the North-West, known for delivering high-quality, timely and cost-effective solutions. Indeed, it is one of the very few construction companies in the region that can undertake projects ranging from €1 million to €50 million+. With a robust portfolio and strong community ties, the company continues to grow, driven by the same values that initiated its journey.
The successful family business holds several key accreditations that affirm its commitment to quality, safety and industry, including ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), BIM Certification, Safe T Cert (Occupational Health & Safety) and VCR (Voluntary Construction Register) membership.
Its current list of projects includes: 110-bed Letterkenny Community Nursing Unit, 90-bed Carrick-on-Shannon Community Nursing Unit, the new Scoil Íosagáin in Buncrana, Co. Donegal, the new ATU Donegal Apprenticeship Skills Academy and ongoing works to the Abbott Diabetes Care facility in Donegal Town. Boyle Construction is also engaged in numerous smaller projects in the €1m-€2m region.
Boyle Construction
Letterkenny Business Park,
Ballyraine,
Letterkenny,
Co. Donegal,
F92 A466.
Telephone: +353 (0)74 91 37899
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.bc.ie
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, July 2026, Vol 12 No 7
