AtkinsRéalis expands Irish footprint with acquisition of TOBIN
Engineering giant to increase Irish workforce to more than 700 as infrastructure investment pipeline accelerates across transport, water and energy sectors
15 May 2026 | editor@breakingground.news
AtkinsRéalis has announced an agreement to acquire Galway-headquartered engineering and project management consultancy TOBIN, significantly expanding the company’s operations in Ireland and strengthening its position across major infrastructure sectors.
The transaction, which remains subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions, will increase AtkinsRéalis’ workforce in Ireland from approximately 500 to more than 700 employees.
Founded in 1952, TOBIN employs around 200 people across offices in Galway, Dublin, Castlebar, Limerick and Sligo. The consultancy provides multidisciplinary engineering, environmental, planning and programme management services across the building, water and transport sectors.
The acquisition comes as infrastructure delivery and investment activity continues to grow across Ireland, particularly in rail, electricity transmission, water infrastructure and sustainable development projects.
Ian L. Edwards, President and Chief Executive Officer of AtkinsRéalis, said Ireland represented a significant long-term growth market for infrastructure and energy investment.
“Ireland has a strong pipeline for infrastructure, energy and sustainable development. The acquisition of TOBIN builds on our 25-year heritage in Ireland and brings highly complementary skills and expertise into our UK & Ireland business, an important part of our global strategy to build scale and depth in our key end markets,” he said.
AtkinsRéalis currently operates from offices in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Dundalk and marked 25 years in Ireland in 2024. The company also launched a sustained recruitment drive last year as part of plans to expand its Irish operations.
The business is currently involved in several major infrastructure programmes in Ireland, including multidisciplinary design services for the DART+ West and DART+ South West rail schemes, engineering and planning support for EirGrid’s electricity transmission investment programme, and project management services for the MetroLink Advanced Works programme in Dublin.
Its Irish portfolio also includes work on the Water Supply Project for Uisce Éireann and infrastructure upgrades at Dublin Airport for daa.
TOBIN Managing Director Ciaran McGovern said the acquisition represented a significant milestone for the consultancy.
“Joining AtkinsRéalis marks an exciting next chapter for TOBIN as we become part of a world-class organisation with a strong Irish presence. We share a strong commitment to technical excellence, collaboration and long-term partnerships, and we look forward to bringing the very best of both firms to our clients,” he said.
The deal reflects continued consolidation across the engineering and professional services sector as firms position themselves to support growing levels of public and private investment in infrastructure delivery, climate adaptation, transport decarbonisation and housing-enabling infrastructure across Ireland.
