Earlier this week, Ava Kerr, UK Senior Business Development Manager had the pleasure of attending The Consulate General of Ireland’s St Patrick’s Day reception at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh.

The evening brought together leaders and professionals from across Scotland and Ireland, all contributing in different ways toward a shared future.

Ava described the event as “a fantastic evening,” noting the strong sense of collaboration in the room and the clear focus on deepening connections between the two nations, particularly within the renewables sector. With both Scotland and Ireland accelerating their transition to clean energy, discussions throughout the evening highlighted the significant opportunities that come from closer alignment.

Reflecting on the key themes, Ava emphasised that “the most exciting focus was on skills exchange.” From KTL's perspective, Ava highlighted how critical the right expertise is in delivering large-scale infrastructure. She found it particularly encouraging to see both countries prioritising collaboration in training, workforce mobility, and knowledge sharing to support the growth of offshore wind, grid modernisation, and emerging green technologies.

She also noted that events like this reinforce just how interconnected the industry has become, adding that strengthening cross-border relationships “doesn’t only benefit industry—it helps build a more resilient, innovative, and sustainable energy landscape for everyone.”

Ava expressed her appreciation to the hosts, commenting that it was “a warm and forward-looking celebration.” She extended a special thank you to Jerry O'Donovan Consul General of Ireland in Scotland and Sarah Keating Vice Consul of Ireland in Scotland for the invitation, adding that it was “a privilege to be part of it” and that she is “excited for what Scotland and Ireland can achieve together in the years ahead.”

Featured in photos: Ava Kerr, Jennifer Treacy, Yasmin Brophy, Breda Doherty, Úna Brosnan.