Here at Corrib Oil, we’re very proud of every member of our workforce. Today, for International Women’s Day, we want to highlight just a handful of the women who keep this company moving every day. Every person who joins Corrib Oil brings with them their own story, and we work with them to try and make the best use of their talents and develop their careers.
Emma Guinan – Artic Driver
Emma Guinan is Corrib Oil’s first female oil truck driver – but she won’t be the last. She joined the company more than three years ago as a rigid driver, delivering fuel in Carlow and Kilkenny. Since then, she has become an artic driver, collecting deliveries at Dublin port and distributing them to our depots.
Emma said: “A driving job is great. I’m honoured to be the first female driver for Corrib Oil and also first female ADR driver to have ever loaded in Dublin Port. Getting my rigid and artic licences is something I am very proud of. I had fantastic training, and the lads are great colleagues. We all look out for one another.”
“Professional driving is a great career choice for women and I would highly recommend to the ladies to get their HGV licence.”
Eamon Dalton, Director at Corrib Oil, said: “Emma is a great asset to the company. There are great careers to be had in driving, and Corrib Oil is an inclusive environment – we welcome applications from women.”
Lawla Say – Retail Assistant
Lawla Say is a 21-year-old retail assistant in the Castlebar store. She is currently studying Commerce at the University of Galway and doing work placement in Corrib Oil office in Parkmore.
Lawla said: “I am from Thailand and moved to Ireland in 2007 through the UN resettlement programme for refugee families seeking asylum. I joined Corrib Oil in 2021. Throughout my employment, I have worked in other sites around Mayo and Galway. The whole team in Corrib has made me feel welcomed and valued as a member of the organisation.”
“I am currently in my final year of college in the University of Galway. Corrib’s management have given me the fantastic opportunity to gain experience in the HR department and Marketing department. Working in Parkmore has given me a better understand of the culture in the company. Corrib Oil has been an amazing place to work in, great work culture and morale. I am thankful to be working alongside powerful women in the organisation.”
Sean Ryan, Manager of the Castlebar store said: “Say – as she is known here -and her whole family are part of the community here in Castlebar. We’re delighted to have her on the team because she has a great attitude and work ethic. I would love to see her go on to other roles within the company when she graduates from her degree, we’ll always keep the door open for her. Knowing her background story, I would say she is an inspiration to anyone making their way in life.”
Avril Garvey – Group Accountant
Avril Garvey started in the Corrib Oil shop in Tuam on the day it opened in 2001 as a Retail Assistant. Today, she plays a key role in the company’s finances as Group Accountant.
“I worked weekends and holidays as I was in my final year in university. Corrib Oil was just starting to expand at that time, and they started opening new shops in 2002, so they were looking for someone in accounts payable. I applied for the job and 22 years later I’m still here.”
“I started in accounts payable and started doing my CIMA exams. I was asked after a year if I would be interested in a trainee management accountant job, it was a new role created by the company as it was expanding. I then went on to the Retail Management account and then Group accountant. I also look after a lot of the systems that relate to the accounts. Starting on the tills helped me understand the whole process from the ground up.”
Fiona Keane, HR Business Partner at Corrib Oil said: “Avril’s journey is one a lot of our employees have taken over the years, from starting off in one of our stores to earning qualifications in areas like accounting, IT, or HR and moving into roles we have in those areas here at Corrib Oil. There’s a huge culture of progression and promotion from within; the company loves to see people grow in their careers.”
Celebrating diversity on International Women’s Day and every day.
International Women’s Day is a great opportunity for us to tell the stories of some of our inspiring colleagues – but at Corrib Oil, we strive for diversity and inclusion every day. If you’re interested in working with us, whether that be in retail, serving food in one of our delis, or driving a truck, don’t hesitate to apply for one of our roles.
Happy International Women’s day to all of the amazing women who work with us, and to all our female customers, suppliers and friends too.
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