Team talk with a difference: Patricia brings engineering to life in Ballygar

When Uisce Éireann’s Patricia Lowry recently stood in front of students at Coláiste Mhuire, Ballygar, to speak about engineering as a career, many of the faces looking back at her were already familiar. These were not just students, they were former players she had coached, young people more used to seeing her encouraging them from the sideline than speaking at the top of a classroom.

For those students, Patricia wasn’t just talking about leadership, she was proof of it, demonstrating how the same confidence, teamwork and determination learned through sport can open doors to meaningful careers.

Patricia has worked with Uisce Éireann for more than 12 years, holding a number of engineering roles across the organisation. 

Today, Patricia is a Programme Manager of the Leakage Reduction Programme in the North West. 

In that role she is responsible for the delivery of work by a team of more than 80 people, overseeing projects that directly impact communities by protecting drinking water supplies and improving service reliability.

She leads teams working to reduce the amount of treated drinking water lost through leaks before it ever reaches homes and businesses, and upgrading water networks for future generations.

To date, €2 billion has been invested in upgrading the national water network nationally, with Patricia and her teams ensuring that funding delivers real, lasting improvements on the ground in the North West region. With over €1 billion more planned up to the end of 2029, the programme continues to focus on fixing leaks, replacing ageing pipes and strengthening water supplies for the future.

For Patricia, leadership in engineering is not just about infrastructure, it is about people.

“Engineering is a team effort. You’re working with crews and engineers across wide areas, often in challenging conditions. Trust, communication, and respect are essential.”

Those same values are evident in her long standing involvement with the LGFA  where she has played coaching and mentoring roles for over 25 years. 

Speaking to students about leadership and career pathways was particularly fitting given Patricia’s strong ties to the school and wider sporting community. 

Patricia and Coláiste Mhuire Principal Emma O’Malley were both part of the management team that guided the St Brendan’s girls team to the U 16 Galway county title last year. 

That connection, Emma explained, made Patricia’s visit to the school especially meaningful.

“We were delighted to welcome Trish to our school. It’s incredibly valuable for our students to hear directly from someone working in engineering at this level, particularly someone many of them already know and respect through sport. Her visit helped our students see the range of opportunities available to them and encouraged them to consider engineering as a future career.”

Originally from Ratheniska in County Laois, Patricia comes from a farming background, which she credits with shaping her strong work ethic and appreciation for the outdoors. A former footballer, she has remained deeply involved in adult and underage teams, combining her professional leadership experience with a genuine commitment to community development.

“I’ve been lucky to work in a career I really enjoy and to be involved in sport at the same time. Engineering is about problem solving, teamwork and making a difference. If you enjoy working with people and want to contribute to your community, it’s a career that can take you far.”

She completed her Civil Engineering degree at NUI Galway over 20 years ago, at a time when women were still significantly under represented in the profession. Today, Patricia is passionate about encouraging more young women to consider engineering, particularly those who may not immediately see themselves in technical roles.

“Whether I’m working in engineering or involved in sport, it’s all about teamwork. You’re supporting people, encouraging them to believe in themselves and helping them reach their potential. That’s especially important for women in engineering, so they can see they belong and have every opportunity to succeed. The setting might change, but the values don’t.”

Whether she is overseeing vital water infrastructure works across the North West or supporting young players from the sideline, Patricia leads by example, showing that strong leadership, confidence and community spirit can shape lives both on and off the pitch.