Executive Technician

28/11/2025

Welcome to our new staff spotlight section which highlights the many services delivered by Cork City Council on a daily basis. 

In this edition of our staff spotlight, you'll get to know one of our Executive Technicians, Donal McGrath. 

Tell us about your job?

I am an Executive Technician Mechanical within the Plant & Machinery Department.  We are a mechanical and electrical internal maintenance service provider for the council.  The department looks after the fleet, electrical and mechanical items in City Council buildings and various sites around the city.  I liaise between the mechanical and electrical disciplines as technical back up.  If there are any issues that arise, I try to find solutions.  At this time of year, the festive lighting is my priority.  We supply, organise and maintain festive lighting in various areas around the city. 

How did you end up working as an Executive Technician for Cork City Council?

I had completed the Automobile Engineering course in CIT and I was going back into the motor trade to work on HGVs. A lecturer in CIT mentioned that Cork Corporation were looking for a student engineer in the Plant & Machinery Department for 3 months.  I said I would give it a go.  I am still here after 25 years!  I have loved my time here and I’m still learning every day.  Over the years I have had various roles within the department and enjoyed it.

What does a typical day involve?

I like to have a plan in place before my day starts but due to the variety of items we look after, my plan could be out the window by 9am.  I could be covering the weighbridge on Kennedy Quay, which involves weighing products for the various port handlers or at a meeting about an electrical installation.  This is where electrical items e.g. LED lighting is needed, and our electricians want to source the best product which suits the building, the employees and be of good value. 

This time of year, it’s long days with the festive lighting.  This entails sourcing the lighting from Ireland and Europe, working out which lighting works well and where to install it.  We have built up great contacts and knowledge over the years. The contractors are fantastic too.  Our staff are brilliant and have inexhaustible knowledge in their disciplines and are a pleasure to work with.

What is your favourite part of your job?

I do enjoy this time of the year with the festive lighting.  It allows you to get creative and try different things.  Some work but others are best left in the workshop!  It’s lovely to walk around town the week before Christmas when things have settled a little and take in the lighting and atmosphere.  However, you are always looking to progress.  The programming of the St Patrick’s Street gateways the last two years was a great challenge, and I am still looking at improving the design and operation. 

I enjoy the problem-solving side of my job.  It could be anything from a passenger lift, vehicle maintenance issue to electrical/mechanical faults.  There have been several interesting projects over the years but the biofuels one was my favourite.  I presented our project results in Europe to other European Councils. 

What can make your job challenging at times?

Challenges can include the difficulties in sourcing parts since Brexit and the lead time for deliveries.  Certain items of plant and other systems that we maintain are critical and if problems arise you need to act fast.  The weather can also provide challenges but with each challenge you need to take a step back. You need to prioritise and see what can be done, safely, in the shortest time.  You need to know who you can contact in the various departments; city council staff are always helpful and informative.

What advice would you give your younger self?

I would say that things will not happen the way you want them to.  Be patient, be flexible to different experiences and you will never know where they may take you.  “Fail we may, sail we must.”