Winners of the 2026 Niamh Burke Renewable Energy Bursary Announced

 L-R Niamh McGovern, Partner and Head of the Energy and Infrastructure Group at Arthur Cox, Sean Gahan, Jacinta Conway, Environment and Planning Partner at Arthur Cox, Sean Loewen and Lisa-Anne Crookes, Communications Manager at Wind Energy Ireland.

Photo: Conor Healy / Picture It Photography

Sean Loewen from Killimor, Co. Galway and Sean Gahan from Straffan in Co. Kildare are the recipients of the 2026 Niamh Burke Renewable Energy bursary. They were chosen in recognition of their commitment to renewable energy and sustainability through studies in mechanical and energy systems engineering.

Sean Gahan will study an integrated Master of Engineering (ME) in Mechanical Engineering at Technological University Dublin, Bolton Street. He is researching the use of curtailed renewable energy to generate green hydrogen and store it for use in hydrogen fired peaker turbines.

“This support will allow me to focus wholly on my academic and research development during my Master’s, building the skills essential to making a meaningful impact to Ireland’s renewable energy transition,” said Sean Gahan.

Sean Gahan

Galway student Sean Loewen is studying a Master of Engineering (ME) in Energy Systems Engineering at University of Galway. This specialised program is designed to develop engineers capable of addressing one of Ireland's most pressing energy challenges: integrating high volumes of renewable generation and ensuring system reliability.

“This award makes it possible for me to pursue the master’s programme and continue my studies in engineering. It gives me the opportunity to build further expertise and progress to the next stage of my education,” said Sean Loewen.

Sean Loewen

The bursary is administered by Wind Energy Ireland and is funded by Arthur Cox LLP. The bursary was established in memory of the firm’s late partner Niamh Burke, who played a significant role in the Irish wind energy sector. Over a 20-year career, Niamh advised on some of Ireland’s largest energy, infrastructure and construction projects, and the bursary offers €10,000 each year to individuals wishing to study or to carry out research in the fields of renewable energy and climate action.

Niamh McGovern, Partner and Head of the Energy and Infrastructure Group at Arthur Cox, said: “Sean Loewen and Sean Gahan are very deserving recipients of this year’s bursary. Both have demonstrated a strong commitment to tackling some of the most complex challenges in the energy transition. We recognise not only what they have achieved so far, but the role they can play in the next phase of Ireland’s renewable energy development. Supporting emerging talent in this way is an important part of Niamh’s legacy and the wider effort to build the skills needed across the sector.”

Jacinta Conway, Environment and Planning Partner at Arthur Cox, commented: “The work both Sean Loewen and Sean Gahan are undertaking speaks directly to the challenges facing Ireland’s energy system. This bursary is designed to support that ambition at an important stage and to continue the legacy Niamh Burke established in advancing the sector.”

Lisa-Anne Crookes, Communications Manager at Wind Energy Ireland, said: “There is a skills gap in the wind energy industry in Ireland and across Europe in a whole spectrum of disciplines. There are jobs for thousands of bright minds like both Seans in wind. And bursaries like this one support and champion these key workers of the future.”

For more on careers in the wind energy industry, you can visit the Wind Energy Ireland website here.

For more information on the Niamh Burke Renewable Energy Bursary and Arthur Cox’s work in the energy sector, visit here..