1950–1959
The six McCabe brothers from Ballybay in County Mónaghan all qualified with degrees in mechanical and electrical engineering from UCD, funded by scholarships and by financial support from brother to brother. Their subsequent careers reflect the contributions made by UCD engineering graduates of this generation to the development of state and private sectors.
Gerry (B.E. 1946) worked in the air corps and the civil service, and served as Chief Aeronautical Officer. Colum (B.E. 1950) worked in electricity, gas and water utilities for over thirty years, serving as general manager of Dublin Gas. Joe (B.E. 1954) was chairman of the Industrial Development Authority (IDA), Irish Distillers Group and Irish Ropes. Jim (B.E. 1955) managed Glen Abbey plc before moving to Lesotho and South Africa. Vincent (B.E. 1956) spent five years as a primary school teacher before following his brothers into engineering. He became a highly popular professor in the department of mechanical engineering in UCD, and dean of the faculty of engineering and architecture. Frank (B.E. 1957) became vice-president of Intel and of Digital Equipment Corporation, also serving as a director of the IDA and of Science Foundation Ireland.
