Meet the women of Ballymore: Donna Somers

“I was told I couldn’t do it. Look at me now!” 
Donna Somers, Quality Manager 

I feel really lucky to do what I do every day as Quality Manager for Ballymore, helping our customers settle into their new homes at Sea Gardens in Bray.  

I’ve always been onsite, and it’s a type of work I’ve loved since leaving school: managing aftercare, working with homeowners, collaborating with great colleagues, and being part of a business that trusts me to get on with it. Over the past decade, I’ve worked across Ballymore neighbourhoods in Ireland –  including Royal Canal Park in Dublin and Seamount Rise in Malahide. 

I know I’m in the minority and, as frustrating it is to still have to say that in 2026, things have definitely changed. When I was at school, I wanted to be a carpenter. I even wrote it in a careers book. Teachers told me I couldn’t do it and laughed at the idea. Look at me now! 

I hope that momentum continues and that more women join onsite roles. There are brilliant examples around me – a female electrician works onsite at Sea Gardens, and Maggie in our Dublin head office who visits schools to inspire young girs to pursue trades. But there’s still more to be done and the industry needs to be accessible, welcoming, and supportive. 

The barriers are fewer these days. Flexible working and increasing female representation mean the job keeps evolving for the better – though the weather on the East coast of Ireland does give me a challenge most days!

I genuinely love what Ballymore does, giving me the freedom to get on with my job, with trust and support. I work with genuinely nice people in a positive environment, but the best part of my role is the variety – every day is different, and I get to make a real difference.  

A typical day starts onsite at 7:30am with emails, and then anything can happen. Right now, I’m mentoring our new admin colleague, showing her around and helping her get up to speed.  

Outside of work, I live in Dublin with my husband and our nine-year-old son, whose activities pretty much dictate my life! I’ve never been happier than running him to his various activities, and I hope he sees that it’s possible to be a committed, supportive mam and a confident, capable woman in construction too.