IndEx 2026

EVENTS

Driving the Future of Construction: Construct Innovate IndEx 2026 Sparks Collaboration in Dublin

On Wednesday, May 20th, 2026, The Spencer Hotel in Dublin became the focal point for the future of Irish construction as Construct Innovate hosted its flagship IndEx 2026 (Industry Exchange Day). Moving to the capital after a massively successful previous event in Athlone, this year’s exchange brought together a vibrant mix of industry leaders, academic researchers, policymakers, and innovation partners.

The energy in the room was palpable as 120 delegates gathered with a singular focus: to bridge the gap between cutting-edge academic research and real-world construction challenges.

Insights from the Main Stage

The day kicked off with strong opening updates from Construct Innovate Co-Director Magda Hajdukiewicz and Centre Manager Colm McHugh, setting the stage for two compelling keynote addresses:

  • Derek Sinnott (Director at Future Focused Solutions & Executive Director of Lean Construction Ireland) challenged the room to rethink organizational systems and leadership mindsets to unlock true productivity.

  • Enda McGuane (Director of Asset Management at the Land Development Agency) shared invaluable, practical lessons on how the LDA uses collaboration to push past traditional delivery obstacles.

Attendees also gained direct, actionable insights from our information speakers. Juan Morillas outlined how John Sisk & Son is actively collaborating with the Centre, while Anmol Jaguste broke down crucial funding pathways and Maura Fleming showcased the immense potential of the Work Ready Graduate Programme.

The Engine Room: 5 Deep-Dive Workshops

In the afternoon, the event transitioned from insights to action. Delegates split into five concurrent, high-octane workshops designed to turn industry obstacles into real-world breakthroughs:

  1. Low Carbon Concrete & Cement: Identifying R&D concepts to balance structural integrity with radical carbon reduction.

  2. Digital Tools for Productivity: Connecting developers with end-users to find software that actually moves the needle on live sites.

  3. Closing the Performance Gap: Looking at real-world data to fix the divide between “as-designed” and “as-built” building performance.

  4. Innovation in MMC (Modern Methods of Construction): Mapping out automation, robotics, and off-site manufacturing frontiers.

  5. Testing of Innovations: Unpacking the national testing infrastructure and certification pathways required to bring new tech from the lab to the market.

A Trusted Community

Beyond the structured agenda, the true highlight of IndEx 2026 was the fantastic atmosphere. The networking sessions and lunch over the River Liffey were buzzing with new connections, shared stories, and the building of trust required to create a more resilient, green, and digital construction ecosystem in Ireland.

Thank you to all our brilliant speakers, workshop leaders, and delegates who made the journey to Dublin. The future isn’t just happening—together, we are building it!