Liam Connellan, a renowned figure in Irish business and industry, had a distinguished career that was marked by tragedy and achievement. His journey began at the Irish Management Institute (IMI), where he was working when a major disaster struck the Irish business sector. On June 18, 1972, BEA Flight 548 crashed near Staines, England, resulting in the loss of all 118 people on board. Among the victims were 12 members of an Irish business delegation traveling to Brussels for a meeting with the European Commission.
The delegation included Con Smith, the president of the Confederation of Irish Industry (CII), who had just been re-elected, and Edward J (Ned) Gray, the organization’s director-general. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Connellan, who had been heading the small business division at IMI, took on the role of director-general of the CII. Initially a temporary position, it later became permanent.
Born on May 19, 1936, in Longford, Connellan’s formative years were spent in Strokestown, County Roscommon. He described himself as a proud Roscommon resident. He completed his education in Roscommon town, attending the CBS and obtaining his Leaving Certificate. He went on to University College Dublin, where he graduated in 1957 with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical and electrical engineering.
After graduation, Connellan trained in Sweden for a year before joining the British Thomson-Houston engineering company in England. Despite being offered a job in Dublin with Volkswagen, he opted to work in Waterford for ACEC, a Belgian-owned company specializing in electrical engineering. He found joy in creating new jobs during an exciting era of economic expansion in Ireland.
In 1965, Connellan shifted his career to Dublin, taking up a position at the newly established IMI. He lectured on production management and led the small industry department. He traveled extensively throughout Ireland, conducting management training programs in every county.
His life took a dramatic turn after the airplane tragedy, when he was asked to replace the director-general of the CII on a temporary basis. This transition proved to be life-changing as Ireland entered a new era of European integration. Connellan became a permanent fixture in the position and also served on the executive committee of the Union of Industrial and Employers’ Confederations of Europe (UNICE).
Connellan’s work also involved engaging with counterparts in Northern Ireland, although these interactions were interrupted for a decade due to the violent situation and strikes in the region. In the late 1980s, the CII and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) in Northern Ireland restarted their meetings, leading to the establishment of a Joint Business Council that still exists today. Connellan formed a strong working relationship with his CBI counterpart, Colonel James Sleator.
During his tenure as director-general, Connellan oversaw the relocation of the CII headquarters to Kildare Street from Fitzwilliam Place. This move led many to believe that the CII was part of the government. Despite occasional confrontations, relations between the CII and the government were generally amicable.
After leaving the CII, Connellan continued to make significant contributions. He became the first chairperson of the National Roads Authority (NRA) in 1994, playing a pivotal role in developing new motorway infrastructure across Ireland. He was also involved in various organizations, including the Irish American Partnership and the Royal Dublin Society. He held the position of president at the Institution of Engineers of Ireland (now known as Engineers Ireland) and was an active member of the Peter McVerry Trust.
Liam Connellan passed away on September 26, surrounded by his family. He leaves behind a legacy of foresight, leadership, and dedication to the Irish business community.
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