Kirby Group Engineering has surpassed the €1 million fundraising mark through its Kirby Way Cycle initiative, collecting donations over four years from more than 850 participating cyclists in support of over 30 charitable organisations. The Limerick-based mechanical and electrical engineering contractor received two accolades at Self Help Africa’s Change-Makers Ball in Dublin on 16 October, recognising both the company and its Group Operations Director Mikey Ryan for their charitable contributions.
Key facts
- Kirby Group Engineering has donated over €3 million to charities in the past five years, including €1 million through the Kirby Way Cycle alone
- The company’s €420,000 contribution to Self Help Africa has benefited more than 50,000 people in rural Malawi
- Kirby Group Engineering received the Social Value Impact Award and Mikey Ryan was named Social Value Impact Champion on 16 October 2026
- The funding enabled the planting of 100,000 trees and provided 8,000 smallholder farming families with fruit and nut trees
- Over 850 cyclists have participated in the Kirby Way Cycle across four years
Awards Recognise Corporate Philanthropy Commitment
At the Dublin ceremony, Kirby Group Engineering received the Social Value Impact Award while Mikey Ryan secured the Social Value Impact Champion title. The honours acknowledge the company’s sustained engagement with charitable causes, spanning local, national and international organisations. Galway GAA figure Alan Kerins presented Ryan with his award, highlighting the determination and commitment driving the Kirby Way Series since its inception.
“Every kilometre brings people together to do something amazing for charities like Self Help Africa,” Ryan stated. “To be recognised with this award is a privilege, and one I share with every person who has cycled or run with us as part of the Kirby Way Series.”
Kirby Group Engineering CEO Henry McCann emphasised the organisation’s culture of community support when accepting the company award, noting the willingness of staff to contribute through fundraising, volunteering and active participation. The company’s operations span Ireland, the UK, mainland Europe and South Africa, delivering mechanical and electrical contracting services across data centres, life sciences, industrial facilities, and power and renewables sectors.
Tangible Impact in Malawi Communities
Self Help Africa, an Irish international development organisation focused on agriculture and enterprise solutions in sub-Saharan Africa, was among the first beneficiaries of the Kirby Way Cycle. According to Martha Hourican, Chief Operating Officer at Self Help Africa, the €420,000 investment from Kirby has transformed conditions for rural communities in Malawi. The funding facilitated environmental restoration through extensive tree planting, agricultural development via fruit and nut tree distribution, and infrastructure improvements including expansion of a solar mini-grid now serving 2,000 residents.
The engineering firm’s broader charitable footprint extends well beyond the annual cycle event, encompassing donations and community initiatives totalling more than €3 million over five years. This sustained investment reflects a corporate strategy integrating social responsibility into business operations, leveraging employee engagement, supply chain partnerships and client networks to amplify charitable impact.
The Kirby Way Cycle has evolved into one of Ireland’s most prominent corporate fundraising programmes, demonstrating how sustained commitment and broad participation can generate substantial resources for charitable organisations addressing poverty, hunger and community development challenges both domestically and internationally.
Reporting based on original coverage by Irish Building Magazine.