Liam Connellan was a giant of Irish engineering and public life and contributed enormously to the economic development of the country, and to the engineering profession, over several decades. He was a stalwart of the Academy and contributed imaginative and innovative ideas and effective leadership and direction. Notwithstanding his eminence and stature he will be remembered by all as a kind, thoughtful and personable colleague.
Liam grew up in Strokestown, Co. Roscommon and received his early education in Garbally College, Ballinasloe and at the Christian Brothers School, Roscommon. In 1957 he graduated from University College Dublin with a B.E. (Mech and Elec). He extended his studies through training in Sweden and with the British Thomson-Houston Works in Rugby. In 1960 he joined ACEC Electrical Manufacturers in Waterford as Divisional Engineer. In 1965 he joined the Irish Management Institute as one of its first management specialist staff and during this period he travelled around Ireland conducting management training programmes.
Following the death of twelve senior Irish business people in the Staines aeroplane disaster of 18th June 1972, Liam was invited to become Director General of the Confederation of Irish Industry (CII) in which role he was also a member of the Executive Committee of UNICE – the Confederation of European Industry. In those years, following Ireland’s accession to the then Common Market, tariff barriers were being removed and industry in Ireland was rapidly growing. Liam prized all-island cooperation in economic development. He had a close working relationship with his Northern Ireland counterparts in the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and helped institute the Joint North-South Business Council which is still in existence today.
After his period at the CII Liam continued his public service by being appointed the first chair of the National Roads Authority (NRA). He also served as President of the Royal Dublin Society and of Engineers Ireland.
Ar dhéis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.