Polly Donnellan, Welder

Traditionally, welding was a man’s job but during World War II, women were recruited to meet the shortfall – in 1943 in the USA, women accounted for half of the welding workforce. But after the war, numbers fell off again. In 1980, having completed a machine operator and a welding course, Polly Donnellan took a job in Digital Machines Ireland in Cork – she was the only woman on the shop floor. The following year she became the first woman in Ireland to pass the standard pipe welding exam: “I wanted to prove to myself I could do it”. Polly also hoped it would open up more work opportunities for her. She had already done a basic welding course, and was confident in her ability, so this was the obvious next step. She remains in a small minority of women in the job: globally only 5 percent of welders are women.

Polly says that while she likes traditionally female things, she also loves machines, engines, and tools. She enjoys a challenge. She appreciates the inherent beauty in her work. There’s something magical about seeing the shiny folds of molten metal falling away from the end of the rod, and the slag coming off in one piece when it is chipped at with a hammer. Polly loves working with her hands and being creative.

Photo: Beta Bajgart