Michael Danaher is the Infrastructure Head of Programmes & Projects for Iarnród Éireann. Michael studied Civil Engineering, but focused on railway engineering during the extension of the Docklands Light Railway project between Canary Wharf and Beckton in 1991. Throughout the next number of years, Michael worked on various rail projects in the London region. i.e. Central Line re-signalling, Thames & Chiltern Line renewals along with the introduction of ATP, Track lowering and reconditioning projects for LUL, before finishing up on the Euston re-development project. Thereafter, he returned to Ireland and joined Irish Rail in 1999. For more than a decade, Michael was responsible for Managing the track installations for many projects in Ireland, i.e. doubling the Maynooth line west of Dublin, Re-developing Heuston Station and its confines, the DART upgrade Project, Kildare Route Project, Dunboyne line construction, Glounthaune to Middleton line re-opening and many smaller scale projects throughout the Irish Rail network.
During 2010, Michael was appointed as the Infrastructure Manager of Dublin Division for Irish Rail, which covers the eastern region of Ireland. As Infrastructure Manager, Michael was responsible for managing the most intense and challenging operational railway sections within Irish Rail. He was responsible for the maintenance and renewals of infrastructure assets, along with coordinating track access for all groups who wanted to work on or near the live operational railway. During his tenure as Infrastructure Manager, Michael contributed significantly towards asset improvements (in terms of performance, safety and reliability) as a direct result of targeted infrastructure enhancements. Along with this, he developed construction strategies and aligned programmes of work for many capital projects (Re-modelling of Grand Canal Dock, Sallins Underpass at Osbertstown, Renewal of Pearse station roof, Phoenix Park Tunnel Enhancements, City Centre Re-signalling, National Train Control Centre (NTCC) construction, Cork line rehabilitation Project, numerous bridge renewals and the maintenance & renewal of coastal assets.
In 2022, Michael was appointed as the Infrastructure Head of Programmes & Projects for Iarnród Éireann. A key objective of his role is to provide a strong interface management function for Capital projects that interface with the live operational railway. These Capital Projects included Dart + expansion, Cork Projects, Limerick regeneration , Athenry/Galway rationalisation, Waterford north Quays. Michael is also responsible for East Coast Railway Infrastructure Protection Projects.