MKO

MKO is Ireland's largest dedicated planning and environmental consultancy. We’ve grown to be the largest on the back of the quality of our work and the results we have delivered for our clients, but also the supportive and open company culture we have fostered to help our people fulfil their career ambitions. With offices in Galway and Dublin and people based nationwide, we work across the planning, ecology, environmental and related fields, we deliver challenging and complex projects and have an unrivalled track record of success. #MKO Denis Vahey

Join our Ecology Team as a Team Administrator. You'll provide administrative support to Project Directors, manage tendering processes, coordinate recruitment and training, oversee equipment and facilities, contribute to social media and newsletter content, and assist with event coordination. We're looking for someone with a background in ecology, environmental, heritage, or planning-related studies. A minimum of three years of office administration experience is required. We actively embrace diversity and inclusion as fundamental elements of our workplace culture. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, recognising that a diverse team fosters innovation, creativity, and a more dynamic work environment. We promote a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique strengths. For more information and to apply visit: https://lnkd.in/ejtu_4Z8 John Hynes

Fitting that for St. Patrick's Day I share a photo of our National Bird in Ireland, which I took recently during a survey for MKO. With its striking black-and-white plumage, elegant crest, and distinctive “pee-wit” call, the Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) is a true icon of Irish farmland and wetlands. This wader is known for its tumbling aerial displays in spring and its unique, slow-flapping flight. Unfortunately, Lapwing numbers have declined significantly in Ireland, mainly due to habitat loss and agricultural intensification, leading to its "Red-listed" conservation status. Protecting traditional wet grasslands and low-intensity farmland is key to ensuring the future of this charismatic species.

☘️Happy St Patrick's Day from everyone at MKO. In folklore, St Patrick is known for many things, however, one of his most famous accomplishments is probably the banishment of snakes from Ireland. While this may (or most likely may not) be true, there are one or two snake-like creatures that he might have missed. So for this St Patrick’s Day, let's shed some light on the slow worm (Anguis fragilis). This elusive little creature looks very much like a snake but is classified as a legless lizard! This lizard was introduced to Ireland most likely from Britain in the 19th century, and therefore perfectly evaded St. Patrick’s banishment. From afar, legless lizards and snakes can look very similar, however there are some distinct features to tell them apart. ☘️For example, lizards have an eyelid and can blink, while snakes cannot. ☘️Lizards also have ear holes on the side of their head, while snakes do not . They can still hear using an inner ear, just like that of humans. ☘️Slow worms have a glossy, shiny appearance and are by no means dangerous to humans. The Latin name of the slow worm provides a final hint that this species is indeed a lizard. When attacked, lizards can drop their tail to escape predators, while snakes obviously don’t. The slow worm, as a lizard species, can also drop its tail but due to the long tail, it looks like the slow worm is breaking in half. The Latin name fittingly translates to 'fragile snake' (Irish Wildlife Trust,2022). So why does the slow worm not have legs like other lizards? Well, it is thought that the slow worm lost its legs through an evolutionary process to adapt to its fossorial (burrowing) lifestyle. It is much easier to burrow into the ground without the legs in the way. Earthworms for example have evolved in a similar way. Slow worms spend most of their time burrowing into the ground and hiding under rocks to forage and heat up. This is also a major difference to lizards, as these bask on top of rocks to heat up. Even with knowing all these facts, it is very difficult to spot a slow worm. They occur almost exclusively in the Burren in County Clare and are very elusive by hiding under rocks or burrowing into soil. Still, slow worms might be under-recorded due to their elusive nature. So, next time you go for a walk in the Burren or go digging in your garden, keep an eye out for these elusive creatures and if you are lucky enough to spot one, make sure to upload your sighting to the National Biodiversity Data Centre Photo credit: Adobe Stock

Join our Operations team as a Project Administrator. We're looking for someone who can identify process improvements and implement efficiencies. You'll support Project Managers with time and expense tracking, project progress monitoring, and financial target achievements. We're looking for someone with a minimum of two years of experience in a similar role (preferably in professional services). We actively embrace diversity and inclusion as fundamental elements of our workplace culture. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, recognising that a diverse team fosters innovation, creativity, and a more dynamic work environment. We promote a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique strengths. For more information and to apply visit: https://lnkd.in/ewWpkrGy Niamh Bray Regina Madden

We are delighted to sponsor the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) Irish Conference again this year. The theme this year is Nature Restoration: Linking Policy and Practice. Members of our Ecology team will be there on the day. #CIEEM #CIEEM2025 AECOM Natural Apptitude Corey Cannon John Hynes

Brian Keville sits down with Marie Donnellan from Platform94 to explore MKO's growth and strategies for attracting top talent. Listen now, wherever you get your podcasts.

Species profile: Redwing (Turdus Iliacus) The Redwing is a fairly widespread winter visitor to Ireland and can be spotted across the country. It is a member of the thrush family and is similar in size to the Song Thrush. As their name suggests, they can be identified by a rustic red colouration to their underwing and flanks and also by an obvious white supercilium (line above the eye). All sexes and ages have similar appearances, so telling them apart is very difficult. Their breeding range is found farther North and extends East from Iceland as far as Siberia. These birds only overwinter in Ireland and do not breed here usually only seen between October and March, making them a bird for our ornithologists to keep an eye out for during our winter bird surveys. They are seen in rural areas and do not tend to stay close to urban regions. They can also be quite flighty and easily disturbed by humans. Redwing will often be seen in large mixed flocks with other thrush species. The most common species to be seen with is Fieldfare, another winter visitor. The two species are quite easy to tell apart in these flocks due to their size and colouration differences, with the Fieldfare being larger and being much lighter in colour. The Redwing diet can be quite varied, and they will feed mainly on invertebrates during their breeding season and berries and seeds during the winter. Photo credit: Luke Lambert and padraig cregg, MKO Ornithologists

It's your last chance to have your say in the first consultation stage for the Renmore Neighbourhood Park Project and the South Park and Public Urban Realm Project. Don't miss your chance to shape these vital community spaces. The surveys close at midnight tonight, Thursday 27th February. Have your say: www.RenmorePark.com and https://lnkd.in/eHnmMg7Y Comhairle Cathrach na Gaillimhe / Galway City Council

MKO is Ireland’s leading planning and environmental consultancy, specializing in renewable energy, sustainable development, and biodiversity solutions. This shoot was part of a stills and video campaign I captured for their new website launch. Some stills can be viewed here: https://shorturl.at/0eQKI #CommercialPhotography #PortraitPhotography #CommercialVideo #EnvironmentalPhotography #SustainableDevelopment #RenewableEnergy #VisualStorytelling #EnvironmentalConsulting #GreenEnergy