MacDermott a leading light:

MacDermott a leading light:

THE Punt was delighted to see another gong has recently gone to Aidan MacDermott for lightingup the London Underground train network.

The Ennis native has won the Lux Award 2013 for best industry and transport project in the UK,thanks to his company’s clever lighting for the 150-year-old tube network.

Mr MacDermotts' Ennis based Energy Automation Systems beat competition from the likes ofPhilips, Osram, Arup, Cundall, Harvard and Aurora.

His 16-year-old company designed the new lighting system for the underground after fluorescentlamps were banned and London Underground had to find a replacement for what has been theirmainstay in light sources since the 1950s.

The Punt is old enough to remember the days when Irish navvies flocked from every part ofIreland to help build the Underground.

It is surely a sign of progress that these days, Irish workers can stay at home in Clare and stillcontribute to one of the world’s great transport systems without emigrating.

The Punt Irish Independent