Barry founded IN2 Engineering in Dublin in 2002 and has overseen the impressive growth of our award-winning International Building Engineering Consultancy, which has seen offices opening in Athlone, Belfast, London, Berlin and, most recently, Madrid.
The expansion, plus his inspiring business style, his decades-long experience as a Chartered Electrical Engineer, and savvy entrepreneurship has earned him a sparkling reputation in the industry. To this day, he remains involved in shaping and developing every concept from idea to reality.
Barry's engineering journey began in Belfast where he worked at a young age in the family Construction and Civil Engineering business. He then studied for a Diploma in Building Service Engineering at Northumbria University in Newcastle upon Tyne, then returned to his hometown of Belfast to complete a Bachelor of Engineering Degree (B.Eng) in Building Services Engineering at Ulster University.
Professional career
Barry's engineering career started in 1992 with an internship in Building Design Partnership's (BDP) Belfast office, working on local high-profile projects such the Northern Ireland Parliament Buildings at Stormont, for which he was singularly responsible for designing the indirect lighting solutions and integrating modern technology to restore historic buildings. It wasn’t long before Barry relocated to Dublin as BDP continued with their expansion.
Whilst in Dublin, he was approached by local award-winning engineering practice Homan O’Brien Associates and was offered an Electrical Engineer position. He became solely responsible for designing the engineering solutions for some of the restoration of some of Ireland’s most prized buildings.
After being promoted to Senior Electrical Engineer, Barry was made responsible for Dublin Airport’s 6-Bay extension, Ireland's largest ever state-funded project at that time. From there, he developed his expertise in the Aviation industry and the design of bespoke lighting solutions, high and low voltage power systems, generators, and emergency power systems. Added experience in energy and infrastructure experience - particularly in the healthcare sector - put Barry in a strong position to build his own company from the ground up.
Company vision
Barry founded IN2 Engineering in September 2002, starting out as a small Dublin-based engineering design consultancy. As the first engineering practice in Ireland with specialist expertise in simulation and technology-based engineering solutions, it wasn’t long before IN2 was awarded the prestigious title of Engineering Practice of the Year for four consecutive years.
Barry leads a specialist energy team in IN2 which helps the Irish government achieve their 2030 Net Carbon targets on Ireland's largest Hospital sites. These complex decarbonisation strategies involve the development of complex simulation-based energy modelling. The results of which help shape the design of modern energy generation plant incorporating various on-site renewable technologies. The findings from IN2’s design form the basis of the Hospital's financial business cases.
IN2 Academy
As a passionate advocate for education and equal opportunities, Barry and his colleague David Walshe founded the IN2 Academy, IN2's In-house programme for graduate education, training and development, in 2021. The course syllabus, developed by Barry and David, covers a wide range of content not least in engineering and technical, but also soft skills. The course content was developed and ratified by the local engineering university In Dublin and is currently being considered for formal Master’s accreditation.
To date, 44 young engineers that have graduated through the IN2 Academy programme. These engineers get the unique opportunity to work elsewhere in the IN2 organisation on a short- or long-term basis. The IN2 Academy Is now open to all international engineering students.
Outside of work, Barry remains deeply engaged in mentoring and educational initiatives, regularly fulfilling the role of Expert Lecturer for Ulster University, and mentoring emerging industry talent.