Our Story

In 1974, Derry Roughan and Joe O’Donovan form Roughan & O’Donovan Consulting Engineers (ROD).

The firm opens its first office at The Hill, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin.

The first employee is Des Kernan, senior technician.

Early projects include SIAC Construction's HQ in Enniscorthy, industrial developments for IDA Ireland and the design of the Knocknadangan and Ugool bridges in Co. Mayo. 

Staff numbers grow to 15 by the end of the decade.

With the prolonged recession limiting work in Ireland, the company pursues international projects, particularly in Saudi Arabia.

Two new partners, Garry Smyth and Shay Ryan, and two leading academics, Dr. Eugene O'Brien and Dr. Pat Maher, join the team to support the company's growth and development.

Key projects include six bridges on the M50 ring motorway in Dublin and four bridges on the N3 Blanchardstown bypass and Clonee bypass.

Economic recovery in Ireland allows ROD to grow its reputation for technical expertise and skill in the design of bridges, buildings and transportation.

Bridge projects include the William Dargan Bridge and Mary McAleese Boyne Valley Bridge.

Road projects include Citywest junction on the M7, M1 Drogheda bypass and M1 Dundalk Western bypass PPP (JV with MCOS).

Buildings projects include civic buildings, court houses, restorations at Newman House and Castlemartin House, social housing developments and apartment complexes across Dublin.

ROD leads some of Ireland’s largest infrastructural projects and wins international business in the UK, mainland Europe and Asia.

ROD acts as the Irish partner and independent checker for the bridges designed by Santiago Calatrava in Dublin, namely, the James Joyce Bridge and Samuel Beckett Bridge.

The company is part of the international team who successfully deliver Ireland's first ever light rail project and also undertakes a 10-year level crossing replacement project for Irish Rail.

ROD undertakes a commission to adapt the UK standards for Ireland and update both the National Roads Authority’s ‘Design Manual for Roads and Bridges’ (DMRB) and the ‘Manual of Contract Documents for Road Works’ (MCDRW).

ROD is heavily involved in the Irish motorway programme, undertaking the design of motorway with a construction value of €2.36b.

Key buildings projects include Housing at Coultry 4,5 & 6, VHI Kilkenny, St. Luke's hospital and Oldtown schools.

Joe O'Donovan retires, leaving behind a rich legacy in a company culture and standard that continues to produce the highest quality bridge structures to this day.

Five new directors are appointed, namely, Tony Dempsey, Marc Jones, Mark Kilcullen, Harry Meighan and Richard Power.

ROD’s research and development company, ROD-IS, is formed with the purpose of maintaining the company’s market edge and fostering new discoveries and commercial applications.

Harry Meighan is appointed managing director of ROD.

Jim Thorpe is appointed company director.

In October, ROD opens a second office in Santry, Dublin.

In November, ROD wins the Geoscience Ireland award for the Northern Spire Bridge at the 2018 Engineers Ireland Excellence Awards.

ROD's team grows to more than 170.

ROD wins the Overseas Award for Northern Spire Bridge at the 2019 ACEI Excellence Awards.

In June, ROD opens its first UK office in Leeds, and the team grows to more than 190.

In July, ROD becomes the first consulting engineers in Ireland to become a registered professional with the Considerate Constructors Scheme. 

In August, ROD becomes one of the first organisations globally to achieve BSI BIM verification to reflect ISO 19650 parts 1 and 2.

In October, ROD's wins the British Construction Industry Transport Project of the Year award for Northern Spire Bridge.  The same month, ROD's status as an Engineers Ireland Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Accredited Employer is extended to 2022.

In April, ROD becomes an Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) approved employer, underscoring our commitment to helping staff keep their professional development on track.

In July, the A6 Randalstown to Castledawson ECI wins Infrastructure Project of the Year at the UK National Government Opportunities (GO) Excellence in Public Procurement Awards 2020. 

In September, two new shareholders are announced, namely, Barry Corrigan and Eoin Ó'Catháin.

In October, Northern Spire Bridge wins International Project of the Year at the Belgian Steel Bridge Awards 2020.

In December, Lewis Feely and Aonghus O'Keeffe are announced as ROD's newest shareholders.

In January, Jim Thorpe is appointed managing director, and Harry Meighan assumes a new role as chairman of the group companies. Marc Jones succeeds Jim Thorpe as company secretary.

In April, Northern Spire Bridge wins the Special 30th Anniversary Robert Stephenson Award at the Institution of Civil Engineers North East Awards 2021. 

In September, the Motorway Operations Control Centre wins the Project of the Year Award at the Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland (ACEI) Engineering Excellence Awards 2021.

In April, the A6 Randalstown to Castledawson ECI project wins a CEEQUAL Excellent Sustainability Whole Team Award.

In September, ROD's status as an Engineers Ireland Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Accredited Employer is extended for the maximum reaccreditation period of three years.

In October, the National Children's Hospital Satellite Centre in Tallaght wins the Healthcare Project of the Year Award at the Irish Building and Design Awards 2022.

In May, ROD strengthens its presence in North Dublin by moving to a larger office in Woodford Business Park, Santry. In the same month, Daire Ó'Riagáin is announced as ROD's newest shareholder and is appointed a technical director with the company.