Paddy’s Day in Frankfurt!

by Colm Moloney

We were in Germany to meet a group of like-minded German archaeologists keen to collaborate on a number of large archaeological projects around the world. Our mission was a success and we agreed to form a trading alliance including three German companies, a UK company and our own Irish company – our new collective identity is INFRA Europe.
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​​​Representatives of Red River Archaeology Group Ltd recently attended a function hosted by the Irish Government in Frankfurt to celebrate St Patricks Day. We were blown away by the warm welcome received from our German colleagues and the support and encouragement received from the Irish Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Enterprise Ireland.

After a good day’s work in Frankfurt, the INFRA Europe management board gathered in the Deutsches Film Museum where a Memorandum of Association was signed. The signing was attended by an illustrious group of dignitaries including Paschal Donohoe (Irish Government Minister and President of the Eurogroup), Uwe Becker (State Secretary for Europe of the Hessian government), Dr Nicholas O’Brien (The Irish Ambassador to Germany) and Anne-Marie Flynn (Ireland’s Consul General). We extend our heartfelt thanks to all for the generous gift of their time at our special event.

INFRA EUROPE

​INFRA Europe, a powerful new multi-partner archaeological trading group, set to begin operations on major infrastructure projects in the heart of Europe. Combining the extensive expertise and size of our partner companies based in Germany, Ireland and the UK, INFRA Europe will be one of the largest commercial archaeology alliances in the region.
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Our Partners:

• ADW Archäologische Dienstleistungen
• Network Archaeology
• Red River / Rubicon Heritage
• SPAU
• SWA Südwest-Archäologie

​From the perspective of an Irish business exporting services abroad, it is also essential to recognise the huge effort made by both the Department of Foreign Affairs and Enterprise Ireland in supporting our journey to develop links in foreign countries. The encouragement, advice and practical support provided by Samina Siddiqui and Manus Rooney, of Enterprise Ireland in Germany, was critical to our journey to create INFRA Europe. The warmth of the welcome received in Frankfurt cemented the developing relationship between the JV partners. As the evening developed and the Irish music flowed along with the Guinness, the atmosphere was one of welcome, collaboration and belonging. For one night, in the heart of mainland Europe, we were all Irish!