Dublin is one of Europe’s tech hubs, and behind its success are the recruiters who connect top IT talent with leading companies. From industry pioneers to rising specialists, these professionals shape the city’s thriving tech scene. In this post, we highlight 12 of the best IT recruiters in Dublin – individuals whose expertise and networks set them apart. Whether you’re hiring or job-hunting, these are the people to know.
1. Anne Heraty
Founder, former CEO of CPL Resources
Co-founded CPL in 1989 to place IT professionals in Ireland’s burgeoning tech sector. As Ireland’s first female CEO of a listed company, she grew CPL into a global recruiting leader. She won EY Entrepreneur of the Year (2006) and is consistently ranked among Ireland’s most powerful businesswomen. Heraty is widely respected for her trailblazing leadership and decades of success connecting top IT talent with multinationals.
2. Shona McManus
CEO/Owner of Osborne Recruitment
Since taking the helm in 2013, Shona has quadrupled Osborne’s turnover, profits and headcount. Under her leadership, Osborne expanded to 10 offices and sources tech talent from 26 countries. She has 18+ years of experience and has repeatedly earned a spot on SIA’s Global Power 150 Women in Staffing (eight times by 2023). Known for her innovative strategies and thought leadership, McManus is a prominent voice in Ireland’s recruitment industry.
3. Maureen Lynch
Managing Director, Hays Ireland
A 20+ year veteran at Hays (joined 2000), Maureen has extensive experience placing tech talent and partnering with organisations across sectors. As Operations Director and now MD for Hays Ireland, she has built unparalleled talent networks in technology and other fields. Lynch is frequently quoted in the media on IT hiring trends and is lauded for her personalised approach to matching IT professionals with career opportunities.
4. Frank Farrelly
Co-founder & CEO, Sigmar Recruitment
Co-founded Sigmar in 2002 and now oversees 140+ recruiters across 14 specialist teams (including a large IT division). Frank has ~25 years’ experience and was instrumental in growing Sigmar into a top Irish agency. Under his guidance, Sigmar built a reputation for innovation and quality service in tech staffing. A former President of the National Recruitment Federation, Farrelly is highly respected for his industry leadership and deep IT market knowledge.
5. Lorraine Fitzpatrick
CEO & Co-founder, Stelfox
Founded Stelfox in 2001 and for 23+ years has delivered high-quality tech talent solutions. Fitzpatrick and her co-founders have 130+ years of combined IT recruitment experience, and built Stelfox into a premier tech recruitment & consultancy firm with offices in Dublin, Cork, Galway and beyond. She is recognised for innovative, people-centric recruiting and a commitment to charity (Stelfox donates a portion of profits to youth charities). Fitzpatrick’s blend of experience and creativity keeps Stelfox at the forefront of IT recruitment.
6. Linda Davis
Founder & CEO, Next Generation Recruitment
Linda founded Next Generation in 2007 and grew it to 40+ staff in Dublin (and Poland). She has driven Next Generation’s focus on emerging tech “job families” like data science and has been an active force in Ireland’s tech community (e.g. hosting the DatSci Awards for data science). With ~18 years in recruitment, Davis is known for her innovative mindset – keeping pace with tech evolution, championing diversity, and ensuring her team stays ahead of industry trends.
7. Louise Allen
Co-founder & Chairperson, Allen Recruitment Consulting
Louise co-founded Allen Recruitment in 1998, establishing it as a “go-to” tech talent supplier for the IT and finance sectors. Coming from a software development background herself, she instilled a data-driven, innovative approach in the firm. Allen Recruitment has a long history of leaping high hiring bars for tech clients and embracing new technology in recruitment. Under Allen’s guidance, the firm became an international powerhouse known for consistent delivery of top IT candidates.
8. Seamus Breslin
Managing Director, Solas IT Recruitment
Seamus founded Solas IT in 2009 as a boutique agency and has 15+ years of tech recruitment experience. A former .NET recruiter himself, he built Solas into Ireland’s largest Microsoft technology staffing expert. Breslin’s philosophy of “mutual respect, honesty and expert market knowledge” has earned him an excellent reputation among clients and candidates. Notably, he has grown Solas’ team and service lines (e.g. adding cybersecurity and UI/UX recruitment) to keep pace with Ireland’s evolving tech scene.
9. Gerard Doyle
Co-founder & Managing Director, Recruiters IE
Gerard began recruiting in the mid-1990s and has placed top talent for leading tech companies. In 2006, he co-founded RECRUITERS, now one of Ireland’s most trusted agencies. With nearly 30 years in the industry, he has helped organisations adopt cutting-edge recruitment tools (AI sourcing, employer branding). Doyle’s hands-on experience spans from software startups to major multinationals, and he’s built an unparalleled network. He holds a Master’s in performance management and specialises in executive HR and IT leadership roles, often leveraging his deep network to fill critical tech positions.
10. Declan McNiff
Managing Director, RealTime Recruitment
Declan co-founded RealTime in 2005 and has 17 years of experience placing contract software engineers in Ireland. He built a successful team known for professionalism, delivery and “making things happen.” Under McNiff’s leadership, RealTime has twice been named All-Ireland Recruitment Company of the Year (2023/24) and earned a reputation as “Ireland’s Leading Tech and Digital Recruitment” firm. McNiff prides himself on leading by example and hiring great staff, aiming for RealTime to be recognised as the No.1 IT recruiter in Ireland.
11. Michael Lantry
CEO, GemPool Recruitment
An IT entrepreneur-turned-recruiter, Michael has led GemPool’s Software Engineering division since 2012 and sits on its board. He and his team are expert headhunters for software developers (Java, Python, cloud, etc.), placing engineers into many of Dublin’s best SaaS companies. Lantry is known for sharing market insights – he frequently blogs about IT hiring trends and in-demand skills in Ireland. Under his guidance, GemPool won “Best Tech Recruitment Specialist Agency 2022” and even had a team member win Recruiter of the Year, reflecting the high standards he sets.
12. Elaine Liston
Associate Director, Sanderson Recruitment
Elaine has over 15 years’ experience and leads Sanderson’s Accounting & Finance division, but also recruits in IT and change management. She was recognised as Ireland’s Permanent Recruitment Consultant of the Year 2021 – a testament to her professionalism and results. Liston is praised by clients for her ability to understand complex role requirements and deliver quality shortlists. She has helped grow Sanderson’s Dublin presence since its launch, contributing to it winning Best Medium Agency in 2018. Her consistent excellence in recruitment delivery and client service makes her one of Dublin’s top recruiters.
Wrap Up
Each of these recruiters has shown exceptional ability to connect top talent with opportunity. With proven experience, strong reputations, and active engagement in the tech community, they stand out as Dublin’s best. Whether you’re hiring or job-hunting, these professionals consistently deliver results.
This research was brought to you by EchoGlobal Tech, as part of our ongoing insights into the global IT talent market.
