Irish Railway selects Mary Considine, former CEO of Shannon Airport Group, as its new chief executive officer
Mary Considine, a seasoned aviation executive with over three decades of experience, is set to take the helm at Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) following the retirement of current CEO, Jim Meade.
Considine's impressive career at Shannon Airport Group, where she served as Director, Chief Financial Officer, Deputy CEO, and CEO since 2019, has been marked by significant growth, strategic investment, regional development, and resilience, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under her leadership, the group supported over 20,000 jobs and contributed €4 billion to the Irish economy.
Iarnród Éireann, with its railway and Rosslare Europort under Considine's leadership, is considered a critical national asset. The company's ambition is to deliver an €8 billion national program of capital investment projects, aimed at doubling current passenger numbers by 2030.
In her new role, Considine will be responsible for progressing Iarnród Éireann's port development and plans for an offshore renewable hub at Rosslare Europort in Co Wexford. Her experience in regional development and strategic leadership is expected to be instrumental in achieving these ambitious goals.
Considine's tenure at Shannon Airport Group was also marked by the growth of the economic impact of its activities and the provision of strategic national infrastructure for essential air connectivity. Under her leadership, the airport group delivered its highest passenger levels in 15 years, recovering from the crisis.
Considine's leadership extends beyond the aviation sector. She is a director of Ibec, a trustee and governing authority member of Mary Immaculate College in Limerick, and a director of Limerick Chamber of Commerce.
Ray O'Driscoll will assume the role of interim chief executive at Shannon Airport Group as Considine prepares to take on her new role at Iarnród Éireann later this year. Her appointment is seen by stakeholders as a continuation of leadership with strong regional impact and long-term strategic vision.
The upcoming leadership of Mary Considine at Iarnród Éireann is anticipated to bring her expertise in business strategy, as demonstrated during her tenure as CEO at Shannon Airport Group. Her achievements include finance management, regional development, and the delivery of critical national infrastructure.
Considine's appointment at Iarnród Éireann also signifies her venture into the railway industry, where she will oversee projects related to finance, transportation, and business development, including port development and offshore renewable energy projects.
