Construction Ireland v16n06 online

Gravity Construction Asbestos Removal Specialists find out more on page 3

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V16 N06

NEWS, REPORTS, COMMENTS, PROFILES AND SITE PROJECTS MCGURRAN CONSTRUCTION Delivering successful projects across Ireland p16

MOUNT STEWART HOUSE & GARDENS Work continues on major restoration project p20

BRUCKANA WIND FARM New 16 turbine wind farm nears completion p21

COULTRY 6A Building better communities p24

BIRA Construction Limited

Bettyville, Ballyboughal, Dublin Tel: 086 8427125 Email: johnwalsh4450@gmail.com

Gravity Construction a one stop shop for asbestos surveying, removal, disposal and reroofing Based in the Southeast, but offering a nationwide service, Gravity Construction Ltd. is a progressive company that is fast becoming a significant player in the specialist area of asbestos removal and disposal.

Based in the Southeast, but offering a nationwide service, Gravity Construction Ltd. is a progressive company that is fast becoming a significant player in the specialist area of asbestos removal and disposal.

The brainchild of PJ Mooney, Managing Director, Gravity offers a one-stop-shop for solutions in the area of asbestos removal and disposal, an area in which the controls are becoming more and more stringently monitored. With the majority of buildings built between 1940 and 1999 containing asbestos there are significant amounts of this material, which will need to be removed. PJ believes that

In addition to carefully managing its asbestos contracts, Gravity staff have achieved and maintain the appropriate levels of training and accreditation from the relevant governing bodies. All staff have completed specialist area courses in Asbestos Awareness, Confined Space Awareness and Asbestos Operatives courses must be completed. The firm is committed to achieving, maintaining and improving skills via on-going training and employee development.

The Managing Director says that Gravity is a customer focused organisation and says that he is very much hands on in the operation of his business. He believes small to medium

“Gravity Construction are a reliable company, they are flexible and accommodating to work with, they met and exceeded our expectations on quality and service “ Les Bursell GM Reliance Precision, Bandon, Cork whom Gravity recently replaced a 2000m2 twin skin asbestos roof with a 80mm Kingspan panel for this prevalence, coupled with a commitment from state offices such as the EPA and Office of Public Works to replace asbestos in buildings, over the next five years, will allow continued expansion for Gravity Construction in the medium term.

Gravity employs a structured approach to its provision of asbestos removal, disposal and reroofing services. This process includes an initial asbestos type 3 survey, a written risk assessment and subsequent notifications to the Health & Safety Authority.

Gravity’s Managing Director firmly believes that the company’s structured approach is paramount to not only satisfying legislative and HSA requirements but also in managing the project to completion within the client’s budget.

sized enterprises need to be flexible in their approach to clients particularly in light of the difficult trading environment that exists for construction companies in Ireland at present.

Citing the company’s ability to carry out asbestos removal works at weekends and bank holidays is an example of Gravity’s flexibility in the provision of these services. The benefits derived from this approach include the elimination of down time, lost production and ultimately profit for the client.

Having completed works for some of the major pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizers and Glaxo Smith KIine, the companies managing director emphasises that Gravity’s ability to deal with projects ranging in size from the aforementioned multinationals right down to the small domestic disposal of asbestos roof tiles is crucial for the continued long term success of the company.

If you have an enquiry or if you would like to request a quotation, please contact us: Barntown, Co. Wexford, Ireland

Tel: +353 (0) 53 9153978 Mob: +353 (0) 87 8076915 Email: info@gravityconstruction.ie www.gravityconstruction.ie

COMMENTS 14 Michael Gordon – Turley Associates 15 Keith Riddle –Velux

PROFILE 16 McGurran Construction 17 Broomfield Construction 27 Donaghmore Construction Ltd

EDUCATION 81 Ardscoil Ris

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COMMUNITY 20 Mount Stewart House & Gardens 36 St Mels Cathedral

COMMERCIAL 31 Irish Distillers Group

HOUSING 24 Coultry 6A 30 Fold Housing Association

LEISURE 22 Limerick Riverside Improvements 38 The Morrison Hotel

CIVIL 21 Bruckana Wind Farm 28 River Fergus Flood Defence

NEWS

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NEWS CI

Innovative pods secure £1.8M contract with international hotel chain for McAvoy Group One of Northern Ireland’s leading specialists in modern methods of construction, McAvoy Group, has recently completed two contracts worth £1.8M for international hotel chain Hampton by Hilton.

Tyrone based McAvoy Group was awarded the contracts to manufacture and supply bathroom pods to two new Hampton by Hilton Hotels in Britain. The deal was brokered following a successful partnership between McAvoy Group and Main Contractor McAleer & Rushe, which supported the Coalisland Company’s bid to gain approved supplier status with Hilton.

The installation of 192 state-of-the-art bathroom pods, which were designed and produced at McAvoy Group facility in Lisburn, was recently completed at Hampton by Hilton Gatwick Airport.

Meanwhile, production of 297 pods for Hampton by Hilton London Waterloo was completed in August.

Orla Corr OBE, Business Development

Director, McAvoy Group, commented: “We met with Hampton by Hilton representatives at our headquarters last year where we presented to them a prototype pod that we had made in response to their brief. We’re delighted to have won this prestigious piece of business with Hampton by Hilton which involves the production of almost 500 bathroom pods for two hotels in key London locations.

“Our bespoke manufacturing processes enable us to design and manufacture a lightweight steel frame pod to any size and shape. This has proved to be an extremely successful invention by our dedicated and talented team; becoming one of the fastest growing areas of our business.”

London Waterloo is the first Hampton by Hilton Hotel to be built in central London and is the largest outside of the USA. McAvoy Group has supplied 297 custom made bathroom pods to this particular hotel, which opened in November.

Medite Tricoya garden pod to embrace all weather

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Abbey Woods, importer and supplier of hardwood and softwood timber, recently turned to Medite Tricoya when it undertook a project with Drumlargon Construction to build a stunning garden pod in South County Dublin.

The unusual, bespoke modern building sits in the garden of an eight-bedroom house, built as an outside office and music room. It was constructed with the harsh Irish winter weather in mind, using materials that will last for many years. Medite Tricoya was the chosen wood product for the job.

The high performance, extreme durable MDF was the ideal solution for this particular

project. Shane McPartlan from Abbey Woods describes why: “We wanted an 8ft by 4ft timber base panel that would have a minimum 50-year life span. In addition the shell and roof of the building needs to provide a watertight envelope.

Medite Tricoya was the solution.”

The durability of Medite Tricoya means that it lasts, without the need for spending unnecessary money on maintenance over the years. The location of the garden house calls for robust and heavy duty materials, as its situation on Killiney Hill, which overlooks Dublin Bay, makes it susceptible to the elements.

Medite Tricoya MDF is produced by Medite using acetylation technology that reduces the effect of moisture on the wood. This particular technology is what makes the wood extremely hardwearing and stable.

The technology wasn’t the only deciding factor for the choice of material in this project.

For such a hardwearing and innovative MDF panel, Medite is also very user friendly.

Shane explains this in more detail: “Medite Tricoya was used for this particular job due to the ease of assembly. The boards can be routed and fixed together; the nature of MDF means it is easy to cut and route, it is lightweight and a pleasure to work with.”

Plans announced for £12M performing arts and technology innovation centre Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry has officially announced the plans for the development of a new £12M performing arts and technology innovation centre at the South Eastern Regional College in Bangor.

The new multi-million pound, 3,650sq m facility will provide high specification, bespoke accommodation for the schools of performing and creative arts, manufacturing and electrical engineering and computer and software engineering on the Glenlola site opposite the main Bangor campus of the South Eastern Regional College.

The Minister said: “In the last few years Northern Ireland has become a major location of choice for the film industry and we have had the international success of some notable local artists. This new facility will provide a launch pad for more aspiring performers and I look forward to the opening of the new theatre and learning facility in 2015. The development of a 350seat theatre will be of significant value to both students and the wider community.

“The technology innovation centre will also deliver teaching facilities and offer learners a business quality learning environment that will further enhance the College’s existing capacity for renewable energy and sustainable technology and engineering sciences.”

Funded by the Department for Employment and Learning, the heart of the performing arts centre will be the theatre around which rehearsal and production studios should be located. In addition to being suitable for staging professional productions it will provide first class rehearsal, recording and performance facilities for the students of Bangor and the surrounding area.

The rehearsal space will accommodate acting, dance, music and DJ teaching and be equipped with the relevant listening, PA and backline facilities.

The focus of the technology innovation centre will be to enhance the employability skills of its students, stimulate enterprise through business incubation and delivery of innovative business development programmes, and foster enhanced approaches to economic development working closely with community partners.

Portview provides modern makeover for Lakeland store in Chester Northern Ireland fit-out specialist Portview has recently completed a brand new Lakeland store in Chester.

The kitchen and homeware outlet needed to relocate to bigger premises in the city centre and Belfast based Portview Fit-out were called on to do the job.

The new, brighter Northgate Street Lakeland store, which has a 5,000sq ft sales area, replaces a previous outlet nearby.

The team at Portview spent 15 weeks on the project, which began in July, stripping out the two-and-a-half-storey space in the old building which had previously been a Millets store. They were also responsible for the electrical and mechanical work, new ceilings, walls and floors, structural work for the provision of lifts, installation of new counters, lighting, painting and decorating.

Working on an old building presented the Portview team with some challenges though, and they had to leave the site twice while specialists removed

asbestos. Meanwhile, some sections of the floor destroyed by woodworm needed to be replaced during the job.

Portview Project Manager Paul McGovern said: “Everything had to be stripped back to the shell in this building, in preparation for the addition of a new finish. When asbestos was discovered at the site we had to employ specialists to remove it, and make the building safe. We installed new walls, ceiling and floors to the Lakeland store as well as new fixtures and fittings. The shop’s interior also had to be decorated inside, while painting work was done to the exterior of the Georgian building. As it is a listed property we had to seek approval from a local historical society before beginning any work.”

Despite the challenges of fitting out a period building to resemble a modern retail outlet, Lakeland is said to be delighted with Portview’s work and the finished product - a bright new store is open for business.

Globalvia and Sacyr awarded motorways contract in the Greater Dublin area Globalvia, part owned by the global Currently, Globalvia operates the infrastructure and environmental M50 motorway from which all these services group FCC, and Sacyr have motorway segments radiate, and been awarded the contract for the also the M6 toll road from Galway to operation, maintenance and renewal Ballinasloe in the West of Ireland. of all the toll free motorway segments With this award, Globalvia consolidates itself in the Greater Dublin area in Ireland. as the main operator of Ireland´s busiest The contract has an initial five-year motorways, with segments that exceed term, can be extended for a further traffic volumes of 100,000 vehicles per day. two years and is worth e35M. During the contract period, Globalvia and Sacyr will be responsible for providing winter maintenance, incident response, routine maintenance and renewal works.

In addition to the 161km of motorway segments, the contract includes the operation, maintenance and renewal of another 109km of slip roads Email: info@maorscaffoldingltd.com www.maorscaffoldingltd.com and roundabouts.

ALL JOBS LARGE OR SMALL

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CITB-ConstructionSkills NI Focus on Skills and Training in the Construction Industry Skills and training are the central core of our business, we at CITB-ConstructionSkills NI understand the importance of training and the positive affects it can have both internally and externally. We also are aware of the current economic climate and in these hard times training is not always at the top of the business agenda. Ultimately, CITB-ConstructionSkills NI’s aim is to invest in industry skills and training to make businesses competitive, now and in the future.

For the best part of 50 years, CITB-ConstructionSkills NI has been working with the construction industry to meet its skills and training needs. Now, in the depths of the downturn, it is essential that we continue to support the industry in developing the highly skilled professionals it needs to meet the immediate challenges and prepare for the future.

Qualifications

It is important to get the industry qualified to the appropriate standard, if we are to be globally competitive, we must enhance the skills of our people at all levels. It is vital that employers and their staff continue to train through these challenging economic times and this is even more important for the construction sector. This has been

demonstrated through the ‘Qualifying the Existing Workforce’ project which will qualify 500 currently unqualified construction workers to NVQ Level 2 and has been extended into 2014.

This project, a joint initiative between CITB-ConstructionSkills NI and the Joint Council for the Building and Civil Engineering Industry, is funded by the Department for Employment and Learning.

The ‘Qualifying the Existing Workforce’ project is a great opportunity for construction employees to be qualified and be ahead of the game. We encourage construction workers to sign up and claim their free qualification not only to help themselves but also the local industry.

Nine assessment centres have been awarded the contract to assess the candidates across the whole of Northern Ireland. 37 occupations are available through the project ranging from brick laying to wall & floor tiling and registration is currently open. There are three routes available for obtaining the qualification (portfolio building, on-site assessment and experienced worker).

For full details of on qualifications available and a list of the assessment centres log on

to www.citbcsni.org.uk and follow the links for Free NVQ’s.

Sustainable Construction

With green technologies and environmental changes leading the way to the future, CITB-ConstructionSkills NI recently sent the first of two groups of construction workers to Bieberach in Germany to learn more about sustainable construction methods, renewable energy and environmental standards. The ‘Building Skills for Sustainable Construction’ project is organised by CITB-ConstructionSkills NI and funded by the European Commission’s Leonardo programme which is managed

by Ecorys in the UK. Government targets for more sustainable homes, as well as higher demand from customers, mean that the skills provided through this training programme are vital for those working in the industry and it is this practical experience that will give participants the opportunity to progress in their current roles or to develop their own business to incorporate energy efficient buildings.

The second group of 15 construction workers traveled to Biberach in October 2013 to complete the same programme, and

following the initial success of the project, funding has been secured for another 30 places on the programme for 2014.

Heritage

CITB-ConstructionSkills NI have also been working hard to maintain and develop skills in the heritage sector. Funding was received from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) through its Skills for the Future Programme to continue and expand on work to sustain and develop traditional skills in the local built heritage sector.

The HLF funding helped expand the skills base in this specialist sector of the construction industry by providing 10 work-based training placements with experienced practitioners working on traditional (pre-1919) buildings. It also funded four heritage ambassadors to act as mentors to the trainees and as advocates to promote traditional building skills and this programme throughout the Province. Further funding support of £368,000 has been secured through HLF for the Heritage Specialist Apprenticeship Programme in Wood Occupations in Northern Ireland. 12 apprentices will

receive bespoke, structured training and assessment leading to the achievement of the Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Heritage Skills (Construction) – Wood Occupations. The apprentices will receive both on and off the job training with experienced heritage contractors and the training programme is expected to commence in September 2014.

Interested parties can keep up to date with the progress and development of these skills projects at www.citbcsni.org.uk or by ‘liking’ CITB-ConstructionSkills NI on Facebook www.facebook.com/ CITBConstructionSkillsNI.

NEWS CI

Beginning of a new chapter for the Village Housing Minister Nelson McCausland has opened the first £3.5M phase of a major housing regeneration project in the Village area of south Belfast.

The Minister was on site to officially open 37 new homes just completed by Fold Housing Association. The new houses are the first of 114 new homes being built by Fold to replace those demolished as part of a major regeneration plan for the area. A second phase of 50 homes is due to complete

by December 2013, with a third phase of 27 homes due to start in early 2014.

Visiting the new housing scheme, Minister McCausland said: “The completion of the

first phase of this major housing investment in this historic area of south Belfast is the start of a brighter future for the people of the Village. It is an exciting time for the local community, welcoming back many of the residents who used to live here.

“I am proud that the Executive through my Department could contribute £2.5M towards the construction of the £3.5M first phase. Replacing poor quality housing with bright, modern homes is an important first step in supporting and sustaining this community. A total of 114 new quality homes will be built in the Village across three phases removing dereliction and

reversing years of decline in the area.”

He continued: “This new housing, with a mix of different sizes of housing and apartments, will bring with it an enhanced community profile and vibrancy which means better long term sustainability for the whole area.

“The Village has a well deserved proud reputation and completion of this first phase is testament to the hard work of everyone involved, not least the local community. Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for the entire Village area with the areas’ revival going from strength to strength as we see further regeneration come to fruition.”

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New trailer marks ten years of business for Andover Trailers with Northern Irish heavy haulier Heavy haulage specialist Donnell & Ellis has taken delivery of its newest piece of equipment from Andover Trailers.

The County Tyrone based company, easily identifiable by its striking red and white fleet, has sourced trailers from Andover Trailers for the past decade.

The latest five axle extending step frame is the 12th piece of Andover Trailers’ equipment to enter into Donnell & Ellis’ fleet and the Company is planning to run the trailer for at least the next ten years.

The bespoke built SFCL EX85 features a low profile neck and heavy duty outer box extending frame, which can increase the trailer’s length from 16.2m by 2.5m to 18.7m. The new trailer also features swing out extensions to the main deck and slide out side extensions to the bridge and beavertail.

Donnell & Ellis’ Director, William Donnell, says: “We use the new trailer to transport quarry machinery so it has to work in some pretty tough environments. Durability is our number one concern when we’re ordering new equipment for the fleet and it’s why we’ve continued to buy from Andover for such a long time.

“Being able to work closely with the team and design a trailer exactly to our requirements is a real bonus and one of the reasons Andover Trailers stands out.”

Family run Donnell & Ellis offers a range

of heavy haulage solutions from abnormal load transportation to plant machinery transportation and the Company has more than 20 years’ experience in the transportation industry.

Kubota Construction expand dealer network in Ireland Kubota Construction, manufacturers of high performance mini-excavators, has announced a new partnership with FJS Plant Repairs Ltd to expand its dealer network in Ireland.

The deal between the two companies provides FJS’ customers access to Kubota’s full range of market leading mini-excavators, which are designed to offer users a host of innovative features to maximise performance, operator comfort and safety.

Frank Smyth at FJS Plant Repairs, said: “FJS has developed a reputation in the Irish market for providing high quality products at a competitive price, all of which is backed up by a first class service offering.

“Ultimately, whilst our customer base is quite diverse, from plant hire shops to landscapers and quarries, they all want the peace of mind that the plant equipment they buy is robust and extremely reliable, whatever the conditions and environment.

“With Kubota, they get exactly that. The Company manufactures and supplies the most superior and cost-effective solutions on the market and we are delighted to be working with them as their new dealer.”

Established over 30 years ago, FJS Plant Repairs is a family run business based in County Kildare, specialising in the sales of excavators, telehandlers and all types of heavy plant and construction machinery.

Neil Winfield, Kubota Construction’s Business Development Manager, commented: “FJS Plant Repairs is an extremely well respected business in Ireland, based first and foremost on its first class service offering and the quality range of solutions it provides its customers. By working in partnership with Frank and his team, our aim is to maintain and grow our market share as the number one seller of excavators in the Irish construction, heavy plant and agriculture markets.”

Hyder Consulting launches drive to recruit site engineers for exciting Qatar based projects we encourage interested, experienced applicants to apply immediately.

“Successful candidates will travel overseas to experience an exciting new lifestyle for the duration of the project whilst also having the chance to work on iconic international projects, and help Doha prepare its infrastructure ahead of major international events, such as the FIFA World Cup. Recruits will also be working amongst some of the most highly skilled engineering professionals in the world.”

Hyder employs 4,000 people in offices across the globe and has an enviable reputation for its commitment to ensuring high levels of employee engagement, many development opportunities and providing greater career security to its talented engineering workforce.

Hyder’s Group Human Resources & Communications Director, Misti Melville, expands: “Hyder is proud to have worked on some truly iconic and important infrastructure projects around the world, including the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa in Dubai, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Hong Kong Greening masterplan, the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, and the historic Tower Bridge in the United Kingdom. The Ashghal contract will match these in scale.

“Hyder requires the very best skilled engineers to ensure this leading infrastructure project reaches its full potential. We are therefore embarking on a major international recruitment drive to attract the very best site engineers to join our on site team in Qatar.

“In addition to working alongside esteemed colleagues on a prestigious project, employees will receive the very best travel and relocation support, opportunities for career progression and a range of other benefits.”

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Highly skilled engineers in Ireland are being targeted by acclaimed multi-national design and engineering consultancy, Hyder Consulting, in a major recruitment drive for experienced site engineers to join its team in Doha, Qatar.

Engineers will be recruited to work with the National Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’ on major roads and drainage projects in the Qatari capital. It is the largest contract ever to be won by the renowned firm, Hyder Consulting.

Recently awarded the right to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, The State of Qatar has experienced rapid economic growth over the last several years and this has resulted in increased demand to construct and provide first class infrastructure.

This five-year project will see Hyder responsible for undertaking all the consultancy and engineering services (for the north area of Doha) with regard to local roads and drainage projects, including the upgrading of existing substandard or temporary local roads and infrastructure and constructing new roads and infrastructure for planned new developments throughout the State of Qatar.

The Company aims to recruit a number of passionate skilled engineers in order to build an even stronger workforce for this high profile infrastructure project. Recruits will be working on a variety of activities including; data collection, planning, liaising with stakeholders and contractors, design, tender preparation, construction procurement and supervision, and post contract quantity surveying services.

Hyder’s John Spiers, Technical Director for Hyder and Client Relationship Director for Transport in the Middle East, comments: “Qatar has an excellent reputation for its skilled engineering workforce and

STRANGE TIMES FOR CONSTRUCTION HEALTH AND SAFETY What strange times we live in. The UK Health and Safety Executive recently announced that the number of workers killed in UK construction has fallen sharply, with 39 fatal injuries in the year to March 2013, compared with 48 in the previous year: a massive reduction which, in no small measure, must reflect the effectiveness of the UK’s current CDM regulatory framework that implements the European Directive.

Yet the UK is poised to have to grapple with yet another CDM regulatory package – which is likely to change responsibilities across the industry, possibly shifting responsibilities away from clients and onto designers – whether they are ready for that or not – and maybe reducing the checks and balances on competence of those

Chief Inspector of Construction, is also picking up the baton on this issue to use it to provide a new focus for CONIAC and HSE’s construction sector going forward.

So, we live in strange times with the HSE currently proposing changes that do not address substantive industry concerns whilst industry, clients and co-ordinators, are pushing on issues that should be the driving force for regulatory change. Is it too late to change the principal thrust of the new CDM Regulatory package? Can it now be modified to make sure that it will make a step change difference to construction health – with regulations that strengthen design and co-ordination, build upon current successes and encourage a holistic and effective approach to construction health as well as safety? We can only hope so.

The current set of CDM Regulations have been judged in all substantive reviews to be basically fit for purpose and years have been spent by the industry, and by the Association for Project Safety especially, in establishing solid and internationally respected guidance on how to coordinate construction health and safety risk management – much in response to challenges set out by successive HSE Chief Inspectors of Construction. The UK principles of CDM are now looked at and applied across projects throughout the world – so we should be building on those successes – not listening to unrepresentative industry moans about overblown bureaucracy and sterile role players – all evidence of lack of competence and lack of commitment. We need to learn from best practice successes

‘‘The focus that we need is on reducing the vast number of people who still suffer ill-health at the hands of the construction industry....” working in construction. And this in an industry where it can be argued that lack of knowledge, lack of competence and lack of commitment remain the biggest problem for effective implementation of construction health and safety risk management. This simply beggars belief.

Whilst important, focusing on reducing bureaucracy, or eliminating a function, are not the real issues. The focus that we really need is on reducing the vast number of people who still suffer ill-health at the hands of the construction industry across both the United Kingdom and Ireland – an issue that has flatlined for far too long.

This is an issue that the Association for Project Safety has been pushing for a long time now – but, until recently, with little sign that most others have yet to see the light. However, in response to the UK’s Chief Construction Adviser Peter Hansford’s recent challenge to tackle this issue, the Construction Clients Group has seen that light and has announced that it will spearhead a drive to focus on occupational health issues. We now also hear that Heather Bryant, the HSE’s new

Whatever new systems are brought into being in the UK, or the revisions to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013, there will still be a need for competent health and safety co-ordination and there is only one organisation that can help extend and deliver that across existing construction health and safety obligations. Who else will help designers, project supervisors and contractors on the extended range of projects that are now being brought under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013 and the likely new UK CDM Regulations? With all that is happening in procurement, in design & construction management (think BIM), integration and innovation, with new and challenging government led targets for reducing costs and consequent transformation of teams, processes and procedures this is not the time for the UK HSE to remove the watchful eyes of genuinely competent and committed co-ordinators and not the time to revert to a pattern of regulatory management that didn’t work the first time around (think lead designers and planning supervision).

and roll those out across the whole of the industry by making sure that all who profess to co-ordinate are capable of delivering it.

So when construction comes out of the doldrums and improved national economic figures seep confidence back into property companies and contractors, who will be brave enough to speculate on the construction fatality figures remaining low with new Regulations applying to all projects, including domestic, with more than one contractor on site, new statutory duties for professionals and an overall increase in volume of construction work?

PROMOTING BEST PRACTICE At the Association for Project Safety we believe that everyone involved in construction should have proven competence to undertake their work safely and healthily.

FIND OUT MORE AT

www.aps.org.uk

COMMENT CI

Planning Reform - Gear up for change Michael Gordon, Turley Associates Planning is in the headlines again with controversy over the Minister Durkan’s decision not to progress the Planning Bill over legal concerns. The Bill is, however, only one part of the overall Reform Project. Major changes to the planning landscape in April 2015 will still be delivered through other legislation. Those planning major projects need to think strategically to navigate a way through.

Planning Bill

The Planning Bill which hit the headlines at the end of the last Assembly term will not now be progressed by the Environment Minister. The Minister received advice that late amendments relating to Special Economic Planning Zones and limits to the availability of Judicial Reviews were of concern from a legal, planning and economic perspective. Advice also highlighted that key procedural steps had not been followed as the changes were not subject to public consultation, nor were they discussed by the Executive. While the Planning Bill will not be progressed by the Minister, the new planning landscape will still be delivered by April 2015 through other legislation. The focus of the main planning stakeholders now shifts to engaging with the emerging Strategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS).

SPPS

The SPPS is the flagship high level policy framework for the new system which will be the main reference point for the new Councils in making their planning decisions.

With the experience of the Planning Bill behind us, the focus of the key players is on which way it will lean. Will it go too far in encouraging development and set out a developer’s charter or will it tend towards precaution and stifle the recovery?

Aside from setting out new retail policy the exercise is characterised as principally a repackaging of existing policy with an aim to shorten and simplify the weighty tome of existing planning policy and guidance.

It remains to be seen whether the various interest groups will succeed in pushing for a more fundamental review of policy. Every word of the draft, expected in the new year, will be forensically dissected for meaning, tone and implication across all sectors.

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Organisational Design & Governance

The organisational architecture of the new planning system is being fundamentally redesigned. Think Gothic to Modern in a

generation; this is the scale of the change.

Our 26 local councils will become 11 new super councils. New faces are expected to emerge as councillors in next year’s elections. Old or new, experienced or inexperienced, they will sit at the controls of a planning system for the first time since the 1970s. They will decide 95% of planning applications, ‘inherit’ a similar proportion of the DoE’s planners and prepare their own development plans. Only regionally significant applications will be left for DoE who will also have an oversight role in plan making. Experienced councillors in ‘mature’ planning regimes such as Scotland have primed local councillors of the need to develop a new relationship with their electorate or risk sanctions, emphasising the need for good governance and adherence to codes of conduct.

In terms of applications, clearly articulating economic /community benefits, genuine stakeholder engagement and good quality design have a high profile in planning right now but an eye on the big picture change is equally important.

We have a resource dedicated to following and briefing on the changes. If you would like to receive briefings on the Planning Reform project so you can get in gear for change please email me.

Michael Gordon is a Director in the Belfast office of Turley Associates. He can be reached by email mgordon@turleyassociates. co.uk. For further information visit www.turleyassociates.co.uk.

So What?

The pace of change is fast and time is short.

Any business planning a significant project needs to think about the implications of the change for them. A good example of the transition to 2015 in practice is Belfast City Council’s City Masterplan process - effectively a stepping stone to the Council’s first City development plan.

Other Councils are engaged in similar exercises and businesses and communities would be well advised to engage.

Michael Gordon

CI COMMENT

2013 – A year of missed ‘green’ opportunities subsequent uptake of the government’s energy efficiency scheme has been far from satisfactory. In fact, at the time of writing, fewer than 600 have signed up and less than 60 plans are currently ‘live’.

This perceived ambivalence on the part of consumers is perfectly exemplified by the fact that despite the expansive roll out of the scheme, the attitude or outlook of the typical household to energy saving remains unchanged from last year. A recent government opinion poll found less than a third (28%) of people are giving serious thought to saving energy in their home, the exact same figure as last year. The poll also revealed that the public’s strong support for renewable energy as a whole was almost unchanged at 76% - of course still a hugely encouraging figure nonetheless.

Recently Energy and Climate Change Minister, Greg Barker, outlined his intentions to develop and refine the Green Deal and Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) in 2014.

This takes on greater significance for VELUX in particular, as earlier this year - in June – Mr Barker visited the VELUX CarbonLight Homes in Kettering. Following his visit Mr Barker described the energy-efficient homes as ‘Inspirational’, declaring: “This vision gives us something to learn from for the rest of the country”. It is our hope that Mr Barker and the government will incorporate elements and principles behind the project into the revisions for the Green Deal and RHI schemes, as well as wider policy changes.

However, there are of course causes for optimism. After a multitude of delays, there is at last an indication – or a signpost at least – of the proposed changes to the Part L building regulations. Expected changes are likely to include an intention on new homes to reduce carbon emissions by six per cent across the building mix, as well as the introduction of a mandatory energy target to complement the existing CO2 target. While we’ll have to wait until next year to see if these materialise, it is a healthy

sign that positive steps are being made.

While rejuvenating and reforming the energy efficient market is of course a long term ambition, it is crucial that going into 2014 and beyond, decisive action is taken and opportunities grasped in both hands. If we don’t then we risk the green agenda getting lost in the long grass.

Keith Riddle, Managing Director of VELUX

Keith Riddle

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Despite the hope, aspirations and promises that preluded 2013 it seems that this year has fallen rather short of its green prospects. Forecasts of the coldest winter in modern times and spiralling fuel bills have brought energy issues to the forefront of policymaking. Addressing the way that we build homes and use energy in an efficient and cost effective way, is now more important than ever.

Much has been made of the ‘green’ political agenda this year as we inch further towards the 2016 British Zero Carbon Homes target. But there have been a wealth of missed opportunities and this year certainly hasn’t seen the ‘revolutionary programme’ envisioned by former Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Chris Huhne, in the form of the flagship Green Deal.

However, one of the primary failures was the side-lining of energy efficiency measures on the global stage at the G8 summit in June. On a European, if not international, level this is hugely significant for Britain.

Currently the UK is falling short in terms of energy efficient housing when compared to those on the Continent – our current housing stock is among the least energy efficient in Europe. In fact when you look across Europe, when other countries appear to be tightening energy efficiency legislation Britain is seemingly relaxing sustainability measures. You only have to look to Germany to see how green policies can be successfully put into practice nationwide.

In Germany, the government incentivises energy efficient retrofitting of housing stock by offering loans with interest rates of between one and two per cent.

In order to galvanise and get the UK public behind energy efficient measures, it must not only be practical, but also affordable for domestic households.

Back on the domestic front, while the number of Green Deal assessments has increased steadily, with over 85,000 lodged by the end of September, the

PROFILE CI

McGurran Construction

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Delivering successful projects across Ireland McGurran Construction is an established, family owned, construction and development company based in Derrygonnelly, County Fermanagh, which operates throughout the North and South of Ireland.

Established in 1994, McGurran Construction builds for clients in the public and private sectors and for its own account. The Company has established an enviable reputation for the successful and timely completion of a wide variety of commercial and residential projects throughout Northern and North West Ireland.

Despite difficult trading conditions in the construction sector, McGurran Construction continues to win new contracts in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Systems & Business Development Manager, Aine Burns, points to the ability of the Company and staff to adjust to changing market conditions as the main reason for continued success.

“We have continued to build on our procurement levels with achieving high success rates on pre-qualification questionnaires and overall winning of contracts. This has been a credit to our staff all over the organisation.”

Recently awarded new contracts include five social housing projects in Aughnacloy, Belfast and Armagh, which are all being built to Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 & 4. McGurran is also involved in constructing Fountain Youth Centre, Kesh, Co Fermanagh.

Nearing completion is the construction of 17 social housing dwellings in Rosemount, Co Derry, which are being built to Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 and the recent completion of 63 homes at Dove Gardens, Derry.

In addition, the Company has been awarded the contract for construction of Monaghan Fire Station in Co Monaghan.

Managing Director, Ronan McGurran, attributes this success to the extensive streamlining and systemisation of the business undertaken over recent years.

“We have responded to the ever increasing demands of our clients for environmentally friendly processes and competitive pricing, keeping best in class customer service as our main priority at all times.

“Our ability to do this is very much down to the flexibility and support of our loyal staff, subcontractors and suppliers.

“It’s great to have £8M on the order book for the first quarter and we are currently looking to improve on this by actively tendering for further opportunities both in Ireland and now in Scotland.”

Projects:

to connect the extension.

Both internally and externally the building has been finished to high specifications and standards.

A high level of on site co-ordination was required from McGurran Construction in order to maintain safety and ensure the site ran well alongside a ‘live’ building.

Dove Gardens McGurran Construction was awarded this contract by North & West Housing Ltd to build 63 houses. Located on the former Dove Gardens site, the development will replace the flats previously sited there. The development will provide timber frame residential units, varying in size from two- to four-bedrooms in a mix of one-, two- and three-storey terraced dwellings.

For further information on the Company please contact: info@mcgurranconstruction.com

Business Development Centre, Letterkenny Institute of Technology Completed in 2008, the contract consisted of the construction of a 1,240sq m twostorey reinforced concrete frame and structural steel extension to the We are pleased to be associated with McGurran Construction and wish them continued success for the future existing Business Development Centre. The works Contact: Sean McIvor also consisted 5 Rossmore Place,Strathfoyle,Co Derry BT47 6XP of modifications Tel: 07588 404495 within the existing building in order

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Still going strong after 40 years Golf Course. Covering 15,000sq ft, the clubhouse provides changing rooms, a restaurant, bar and conference room facilities.

Construction has undertaken many residential The PGA Pro shop will be complemented projects like the one at Rockfield Heights by tennis courts, the bowling which saw construction of 22 houses. green and a fitness suite.

And with a proven track record in commercial Broomfield has also constructed and education projects, the Company numerous salt barns, one of which will go from strength to strength. is located at Tullamore.

It is approximately eight metres in Broomfield Construction, Bree Road, height with a floor area of 144sq m of Castleblayney, Co Monaghan. reinforced concrete construction.

Construction of ancillary storage structure immediately adjoining the salt barn for storage was included.

There was also provision of works to connect to existing Mac Electrics was established in 1985 with the objective of drainage and providing outstanding levels of quality in the field of electrical electrical services on installation and facility management. site as well as other associated works.

Of the many sectors Unit 43, Armagh Business Centre, Loughall Road, Armagh BT61 7NH that the Company Tel: 028 37524007 Fax:028 37528130 has worked www.mac-electrics.com in, Broomfield

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Based in Castleblayney, Broomfield Construction has been in operation for 40 successful years.

The Company has ample experience in the development of schools, community centres, resource centres and medical centres for both government and private bodies.

Construction of food processing plants, factory plants and pharmaceutical plans are a speciality, as are renovations to both listed and non-listed projects.

Broomfield Construction has also gained considerable experience of new shopping centres, some of which with multi-storey car parks. Civil works include sewerage treatments and water plants, major and local roads.

The driving force behind Broomfield Construction is the total commitment to providing the best possible service and value to its clients.

The quality of work is reflected in the continuing growth rate of the Company in an increasingly competitive market and the portfolio of projects over the years stand as a testament to this quality.

One of the projects undertaken is Concra Wood Golf Clubhouse in Castleblayney.

This comprised of construction of a new clubhouse on the grounds of Concra Wood

CI PROFILE

Broomfield Construction

EDUCATION CI

Ardscoil Ris

18

Refurbishment and extension project

Ardscoil Ris has a new extension thanks to the Irish government’s school building programme that will see 219 major school building projects undertaken in the next five years.

The redevelopment at Ardscoil Ris includes a new library, new canteen, 16 new classrooms, five new science laboratories and other specialist subject rooms.

When the extension was given the go-ahead, the Principal, Brd de Brn, said that it would double the size of the school and added: “The facilities are long overdue and necessary for the education that we want to give our students.

“In the current economic climate, it will be a great boost for the city as well.”

Ardscoil Ris was formally opened in Limerick in September 1963, when it welcomed 52 pupils.

From its foundation, the school was managed by one of the brothers who held the post of Principal. In 1989, a Board of Management, representing trustees, staff and parents, was put in place and a lay Principal was appointed.

From small beginnings, the school, augmented by periodic extensions, increased its size with over 700 students and more than 50 teachers.

In December 2009, contracts were signed for the extension and refurbishment, with the school now

having an area of 6,365sq m. New facilities include a multi-media learning laboratory, tiered demonstration room, music/drama performance space, first aid room, physics laboratory and demonstration area, art and craft room, home economics room, canteen and circulation/social area.

The refurbishment involved a total refit of the existing accommodation with upgraded

facilities and services, as well as the relocation of some classrooms and offices.

Work has not been without its challenges, which included having to change the Main Contractor after Phase I. The scheme was completed by L&M Keating Ltd, while the Architect was Healy and Partners. Arup was the Structural Engineer for the project, which was completed in May 2013.

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COMMUNITY CI

Mount Stewart House & Gardens Work continuing on major restoration project

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The project to restore Mount Stewart is well underway. It will bring back the elegance and charm of the house that was home to the seventh Marchioness Edith, Lady Londonderry and her family in the early 20th century.

The project includes important repairs and improvements to the structure and services of this precious house.

As well as the construction to the house, its treasures are being carefully repaired and important research carried out to restore and bring back to life the family home of the Londonderry’s.

Work is required because of a failing drainage system, serious cracking to walls, ceilings and archways, and the house requires a new conservation heating system and complete rewiring.

In addition, there was a real commitment to lift the presentation of the house away from the ‘shabby chic’ look to a more vibrant one and return Mount Stewart to one of the places to be seen.

Before building work could commence, the contents of each room needed to be recorded, packed and stored safely. A purpose built store has been created in the chapel by joiners.

More than 40 volunteers from the local community helped the project conservator look after the special contents of the house and the curator worked with various experts in areas such as paintwork, textiles, furniture, ceramics and glass, plasterwork and much more.

During Phase I of the project in 2012, a series of technical surveys were completed, which provided the information needed to create detailed designs and plans for the work.

The surveys included flooding, drainage and plumbing, electrical and structural surveys, and 3D laser survey

by Queen’s University Belfast.

With the drainage works, the culvert runs from the lake down through the

property under the courtyard and reception right through the gardens and under the main road before heading out into Strangford Lough.

Excess water from the property should drain through this culvert down into the Lough, but over time the culvert has collapsed in places, causing water to back up and flood the property and the gardens, especially during high tides.

Part of the conservation project will be to identify the damaged areas and repair the drainage system to prevent future flooding.

Cracks were clearly visible around the house and the cause of these has now been established – unsupported joists beneath the floors that are too long. A method has been designed to strengthen these using a series of brackets and long threaded bars.

This has been successfully trialled in the Hague bedroom and will be rolled out to the other first floor rooms that require strengthening.

The strengthening work to the gallery in the central hall is progressing well, with the project’s apprentice joiner making a template for the spindles that will form the balustrade using his wood turning lathe.

During a tour of the house, visitors can see the purpose made structure inside the chapel, which is being used to house many of the contents.

Alongside the extra conservation demands during the project, the house team continues the daily maintenance of the house and contents. This includes ongoing cleaning of rooms, conservation of objects and environmental monitoring such as temperature control and controlling light exposure and pest checks.

As part of the project, some of the contents of Mount Stewart will receive special attention. This is undertaken by independent specialist conservators who will work at the house from time to time.

Fergus Purdy, Furniture Conservator, is

currently working on the furniture in house, while Cathy McClintock, Textile Conservator, is looking after curtains and upholstery.

Jane McCree is the Painting Conservator who is working with the many important works of art in Mount Stewart.

Work on site has already seen the completion of the new estate office and pantry, structural strengthening works to central hall atrium floor, improvements to the main central hall skylight glazing system, new glazing system for the central hall lay light, lime plaster repairs to existing surfaces, repairs to existing sash windows and decoration of existing and new surfaces.

Irwin Electrical Services Ltd has undertaken the refurbishment of all electrical services within the developments. This included lighting, power, external lighting and associated distribution services. All mains power distribution circuits were cabled in MICS type cable, to give extra longevity to the final installation. As well as upgrades to mains power associated services to the intruder alarms, fire alarms, access control and IT systems. Much of the building remained in use whilst the works were in progress, meaning extra care had to be taken to install services, causing minimal disruption.

The Main Contractor is H&J Martin, and Maurice Ferguson, the Project Manager, said: “Mount Stewart is a bit different from most buildings you get to work on and the technical challenges are ever present, but finding solutions are what I enjoy the best.”

The team has hit early sustainable objectives for the project, and also provided training opportunities with South Eastern Regional College for mechanical and electrical apprentices.

H&J Martin is also working alongside the National Trust and Construction Industry Training Board to provide a number of heritage placement opportunities.

CI CIVIL

Bruckana Wind Farm 16-turbine wind farm preliminary photomontages.

A live review of the wind farm was then undertaken in terms of both its visual presence and aesthetic impact from these critical locations. Layout options were compared in order to select those, which represented the most acceptable landscape and visual impact.

In addition to visual impacts, a constraints layer including telecommunications, ecology and archaeology were used to ensure that all impacts were identified and avoided.

This procedure allows the wind farm to be developed through the highest environmental and visual standards, therefore ensuring that planning permission was received in a timely manner.

Nicholas O’Dwyer is the lead Civil and Structural Engineering Consultant for the PJ Carey’s/Gaeltec/KTL Consortium responsible for delivering this project.

Upon completion, this wind farm,

together with its sister project Mount Lucas Wind Farm, will be two of the largest individual wind farms in Ireland.

The investment value of approximately e70M by Bord Na Mona represents a very significant part of the semi-state company’s growing portfolio of energy projects.

The wind turbines have been delivered and serviced on both the Mount Lucas and Bruckana wind farms by Siemens, who will install and commission the turbines while providing a service for the plants over a period of 15 years.

Long-term service programs like this offer the customers more projectable service costs and a prolonged warranty.

Careys is the Main Contractor for the project, which also includes the construction of the on site road network, drainage works, more than 50km of swales and ditches, and the Siemens designed turbine foundations.

Work will be completed next summer.

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Construction of a new wind farm for Bord Na Mona Energy Ltd is well underway.

The Bruckana Wind Farm encompasses an area of approximately 687ha, with a particular challenge in that it straddles the jurisdiction of three different planning authorities.

This project involves the construction of 16 wind turbines, a permanent meteorological mast, a 38kV electricity substation, a 38kV overhead transmission line, grid connection, construction of new access tracks and upgrading of existing access tracks and associated works.

The boundaries of Counties Kilkenny, Laois and Tipperary intersect within the wind farm site so that a portion of the site is situated in each of these counties. This resulted in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) having to be submitted separately to all three local authorities for approval and this involved extensive statutory consultation with each of the local authorities to ensure the planning application and EIS were submitted in a consistent and efficient manner.

Once initial site constraints were identified, a Live Layout Workshop was completed. This involved the participation of the visualisation specialist, landscape architect, client and representatives from the TOBIN Project Team to ensure that the most visually yet environmentally sensitive option for the wind farm was chosen while taking into account all the environmental constraints in the final wind farm layout.

Three dimensional computer models of the wind farm were generated by the visualisation specialist from the most sensitive viewpoints in the study area.

These viewpoints were selected by the project landscape architect and the most sensitive of these were supported by

LEISURE CI

Limerick Riverside Improvements

22

City Quay undergoing major improvement to benefit future tourists The e5.2M redevelopment of Howley’s Quay is set to be completed in September after nine months to improve the riverside walkway.

The Limerick Riverside is one of the most important assets of the city, as recognised by the substantial new development investment and the overall vision for Riverside City.

The riverside improvement works to quays in Limerick city centre are one of the central elements of this strategy and include underground services diversions, road and footpath resurfacing, erection of a cantilevered boardwalk over the River Shannon and extensive landscaping works.

It’s a project with many health and safety issues such as traffic management and working over water, all of which needed careful consideration as part of the design process.

The City Quays project will develop a walking trail between Shannon Bridge and Sarsfield Bridge and provides visitors with new views of Limerick Riverside City.

Grant support of e3.15M has been secured under the NDP (2007-2013) tourism programme operated by Failte Ireland.

Under this tourism programme and Limerick City Council, it was decided that the City Quays project represented the next stage in the City Riverside Improvement Strategy, which aims to provide a high quality waterside environment for public use and enjoyment of the River Shannon, as well as a unique setting for the ongoing revitalisation of the city centre.

The River Shannon is one of the most important assets of the city, providing a unique natural resource for both residents and visitors, and as recognised by substantial new development investment and the overall vision for Riverside City.

The project will reinforce the previously completed improvement works on O’Callaghan’s and Clancy’s Strands through the realisation of a continuous visitor trail around the key sections of the river with enhanced water-based activities, while also complementing the public realm improvements of the city centre.

The construction contract for the quays was awarded to L&M Keating. It required piling to the new boardwalk structure, and McDonnell Piling & Foundations

was employed to carry out 450mm diameter piling in a very restricted site.

The River Shannon provided an environmentally sensitive boundary on one side with a road where access had to be maintained on the other side of the site. A Tescar CF3 rig was used due to its compact size and weight for such a tight site.

Concrete was supplied and pumped using Roadstone’s pumi pump, which was able to connect to the piling operation and facilitate the pumping of additional concrete from delivery trucks. Piles were installed to the depths of six metres to eight metres.

They were installed with minimum disruption to traffic in the area and no interference with the River Shannon whatsoever.

Work was initially delayed by some weeks, as the boardwalk – larger than that on Clancy’s Stand – is being extended out by some four metres over the River Shannon for the enjoyment of walkers, joggers and runners.

Minister Michael Noonan said: “The works on the banks of the River Shannon are critical to further developing Limerick’s position as a riverside city and this funding will assist in developing the surrounding city as an attraction for visitors.”

An estimated 30 jobs have been created on site thanks to the construction phase and once the work is complete, it is expected that 17 full-time jobs will be created.

Nicholas de Jong Associates is the Architect for the project, while other members of the design team include O’Shea Consulting Engineers – Civil & Structural Engineers, along with PHM Consulting, and the Chartered Quantity Surveyors and Project Manager is Lawlor Burns & Associates.

Work on the three-phase project, which also includes steelwork, paving, lighting, and installation of street furniture, started in October 2012 and will be completed this month.

It follows hot on the heels of the redevelopment of King John’s Castle, which has opened up new areas of the castle battlements to visitors, who get escorted by guides in period costume.

Visitors can try on these costumes themselves, including chainmail tunics or 18th century dresses, or explore a battle campaign tent and blacksmith’s forge from a 17th century siege.

Speaking after a visit to both King John’s Castle and City Quays, Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, Leo Varadkar, said: “It’s great to visit King John’s Castle and City Quays to see the exciting plans for these projects at first hand.

“My department and Failte Ireland have invested e7.8M in these two projects as part of its commitment to maintain and improve tourism and heritage attractions.

I look forward to following progress and revisiting the sites once work is complete.”

The redevelopment of King John’s Castle was significantly funded by Failte Ireland, which provided e7.8M for the project on top of almost e4M in capital funding provided to 11 projects in the Shannon region over the last three years – including significant funding for the Foynes Flying Boat Museum.

Failte Ireland’s Director for Strategic Development, Aidan Pender, said: “This funding underlines Failte Ireland’s commitment to the region. Limerick – with its history and strong local tourism appeal – is a natural draw for overseas visitors.

These iconic projects will strengthen the ‘hook’ we have to draw in more tourists and much needed revenue to the area.

“Failte Ireland, as this investment shows, believes in the potential of Limerick. Next year we will be looking at other ways of developing local tourism, including working on two areas we see with great potential – business and sports tourism.”

The King John’s Castle project involved a complete redevelopment of the visitor experience and presents the history of Limerick and the castle, particularly during the period of the sieges of Limerick, in a way that will appeal to all ages and groups. The introduction of a wide range of new technologies and specialist multimedia techniques will be used to bring the castle’s rich history to life.

New parts of the castle battlements that were previously inaccessible, have been opened up to visitors for the first time. The archaeology underneath the visitor centre has also been enhanced as part of the development work.

THOMAS CROWLEY PLANT & STONE SUPPLIES SAND • TOPSOIL • GRAVEL

Proud to be associated with L&M Keating on the Limerick Riverside Project

• Site Clearing• Road Making• Land Drainage Tel/Fax: 065 9062000 Email: thomas.crowley2010@yahoo.ie Mobile: 086 8643741 Breaffa, Kilrush, Co. Clare

HOUSING CI

Coultry 6A

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Building better communities Ballymun Regeneration Limited (BRL) was established by Dublin City Council in 1997 to plan and implement one of the largest regeneration programmes in Europe – the transformation of the Ballymun housing estate. Over a decade in the making, this ambitious scheme has seen the construction of a new Ballymun alongside improved facilities for the estate’s 20,000 occupants.

Currently on site, the forthcoming Coultry 6A works will conclude the Coultry Park development and is the last replacement housing to be commissioned by BRL. The Ballymun housing estate dates back to the late 1960s. Built in response to a significant housing shortfall in Dublin, the development consisted of 2,814 apartments set across seven 15-storey tower blocks, 19 eight-storey spine blocks, and ten four-storey walk-up blocks. An additional 1,987 standard two-storey housing units were also provided.

Enormous in scale, the estate was sited on 400 acres of featureless green space with a view to creating a sustainable community within the city. This was not to be, however, as spiralling unemployment, an increased dependence on social welfare, and the oppressive nature of the tower block complex itself would contribute to the estate’s gradual economic and social decline.

In 1997 a Masterplan for Ballymun was agreed by government. Inside, the document detailed a comprehensive programme for the physical, economic, environmental and social regeneration of the region.

From a purely physical perspective, this entailed the demolition of the now aging

tower blocks and the provision of over 5,000 new homes between public and private investment along with a number of community facilities such as new parks, sports areas, leisure centre and playgrounds.

Various support systems were also put in place to help prevent anti-social behaviour and develop a sustainable community.

From a design perspective, the regeneration uses a traditional Main Street as a focal point for retail and commercial services with a number of offshoot neighbourhoods housing residential areas keeping in place the neighbourhood structures and identities. It is hoped that this design will encourage the kind of sustainability that the original Ballymun estate sorely lacked.

Of particular importance to the newly built Ballymun is Coultry Park – an expansive green space bordered by housing. Coultry 6A project – the most recent of two phases – is comprised of two components. The first will see the completion of Coultry Park, the first phase of which was designed and constructed by BRL and opened by Dublin City Council in 2007. The second component consists of the construction of an additional 25 dwellings – seven onebedroom apartments, four two-bedroom apartments, 12 three-bedroom apartments and houses, and two four-bedroom apartments – with a gross internal floor area of 2,068sq m. This will complete the residential aspect of the Coultry Park development. Construction of both elements has been undertaken by MDY Construction, an experienced general contractor based in Staplestown, County Kildare.

MDY Construction has worked closely with project architect O’Mahony Pike and landscape architect Rummey Design to realise BRL’s vision of a modern-day Ballymun. The completion of Coultry Park has involved over 16,000sq m of park works. Drainage has been vastly improved and high specification granite street furniture installed. The entrance to the park has also been firmly established through the use of steel, concrete and stone structures with a modernist slant.

The separate housing component fully adheres to BRL’s tried and tested design intent – a guideline that the Company has refined with each development. Robust materials have been specified throughout to provide efficient and surprisingly high performance buildings. Each of the homes will be built to A3 BER standard with the inclusion of flue gas heat recovery units and a solar thermal hot water system. The homes will also be adaptable for disabled residents with groundfloor units sensitively designed to allow for any future changes.

BRL has also worked tirelessly with residents to ensure a minimum of disruption.

Monthly meetings are held, through which feedback is given and relayed to the relevant contractor. By fostering an open dialogue with the wider community, BRL are able to ensure as much as possible that all residents have a voice – a say in the development of their community.

MDY Construction has also overcome a number of unforeseen site challenges. Being a brownfield site, uncharted services have continued page 26 >

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had to be relocated and old foundations removed to allow for progress to be made.

Completion of the Coultry 6A project is expected in January 2014. The development is one of the few remaining milestones in a regeneration project that has spanned over 15 years. A recent tree planting ceremony – attended by Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O’Sullivan – marked the official end of the Ballymun Regeneration project and the winding down of BRL. The Company’s functions will now

transfer seamlessly into the management structure of Dublin City Council, with BRL remaining in operation for a short time to ensure all financial and contractual obligations are met. The Ballymun Town Civic Alliance has also been formally established to allow for the continued input of residents and local businesses in the future development of Ballymun.

Speaking at the event on behalf of the Lord Mayor, Councillor Andrew Montague said: “Today we are marking an important

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transition in the history of Ballymun. We are at the end of the physical transition of Ballymun from an area of high rise flats to a community of modern comfortable homes with high quality community facilities.

Much more needs to be done to improve health, employment, and social outcomes for the community and we must continue our efforts through the new Ballymun Town Civic Alliance to make Ballymun a better place for all who live and work in the area.”

Darren Delaney Pavement Solutions

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As one of the leading painting & decorating companies in Ireland, we at Kriscolor pride ourselves on achieving the highest level of quality, within our industry.

We believe that this level of quality should come as standard and ensure that all our employees are motivated to deliver the same.

Our work speaks for itself and we operate Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Restoration and Concrete Coating services.

At CK Steelworks, we specialise in five main areas, structural steelwork, secondary steelwork, aluminium, stainless steelwork and telecom steelwork. We work with home owners, interior designers and architects to design and create stunning steel balconies and steel staircases but we also work with structural engineers and telecom engineers to design and construct bespoke items to meet their needs.

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CI PROFILE

Donaghmore Construction Ltd Since its establishment in 1974, family owned Donaghmore Construction Ltd has provided building and civil engineering services throughout Ireland and the UK. The Company provides top class refurbishment and new build construction to fit any schedule and budget across a range of sectors. A strong focus has been put onto social housing development projects; however, work has been successfully completed in the education, healthcare, retail and commercial sectors.

The Company was established by brothers Brian and Raymond Currie, became a limited company in 1988 and has since grown well, obtaining work in the UK and mainland Ireland, while based at its Dungannon, County Tyrone office. Donaghmore Construction Ltd contracts are overseen

by Managing Directors Mark Currie, son of founder Brian Currie, and Heather Burton,

who joined the Company three years ago.

One of the most prestigious contracts recently carried out by the Company was the Gort Beag development at Church Bay, Rathlin Island. This development saw construction of ten new houses for Apex Housing Association, and following completion Donaghmore Construction Ltd were the winners of the Environmental Sustainability award at the CEF Construction Excellence awards 2013, and were also nominated for the Social Housing Award.

The development comprised of seven threebedroom and three two-bedroom houses built on the site of a disused quarry close to the coast of the island. The houses were built to Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes standard, and the design also took into account the Lifetime Homes and Secured

by Design standard of building. A great deal of planning had to go into the development

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due to the restraints of the island, including its designated Special Area of Conservation status and its coastal Area of Specific Scientific Interest status. Deliveries had to be made by the only available transport to the island, ferry, so special attention was put on the transport of hazardous substances and avoiding sea pollution as a priority. The waste on site was reduced by redesigning the substructures and using the Rathlin Limestone which was found at the site to construct the boundary and garden walls.

It was the team’s ‘thinking outside of the box’ approach to the project which allowed delivery to be swift and problem free. Donaghmore Construction Ltd completed the development in August 2013 following a 15-month construction period and an official opening ceremony was carried out by Social Housing Minister Nelson McCausland in October.

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RAYMOND D O’NEILL P l a s t e r i n g

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CIVIL CI

River Fergus New flood defence scheme The project on the River Ennis certified drainage has made great progress since February when Brian Hayes, Minister of State at the Department of Finance (OPW) signed the contract for the development.

Work on the flood defence scheme commenced in March and will see flood defences installed from Bank Place Bridge in the town centre to Doora Bridge in Clarecastle.

Upon completion it will lead to the protection of 849 residential and 425 non-residential properties.

When the contract was signed, Mayor of Ennis, Councillor Peter Considine, said: “This development comes as a major boost to residents and businesses located along the banks of the River Fergus, particularly those badly affected by severe flooding in November 2009.

“I would like to compliment the OPW for its commitment to bringing this project to fruition and ensuring that adequate flood defences are provided in Munster’s largest town.

“We have already witnessed the benefits of flood defence works in the Abbey Street car park and I look forward to other parts of the town and its environs benefiting from the scheme.”

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Four options were considered before the scheme was approved. These included:••Augment the capacity of the Fergus Minor ••Upstream storage

••Floodplain Storage from Gaurus to Clarecastle ••Conveyance through the town of Ennis.

The latter option was recommended.

It is being implemented in two phases, the River Fergus Upper (Ennis) Certified Drainage Scheme and the River Fergus Lower (Ennis) Certified Drainage Scheme. The upper scheme was completed in March 2009.

The scope of this included 830m of RC river walls, rehabilitation of mill weir sluices, surface water pumping station, an RC culvert and interceptor sewers.

An Environmental Impact statement for the scheme was prepared in accordance with the EC (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations, 1989 to 1999.

Impacts and mitigation measures were identified, while there has been significant liaison with various organisations to ensure the highest environmental standards were implemented during the construction phase of the upper scheme including the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board, the NPWS and DEHLG Archaeology/underwater archaeology.

Work includes site preparation and finishing work, along with deconstruction and rehabilitation of existing stone walls. There will also be construction of new stone faced reinforced concrete river walls.

The scheme will also see the construction of new flood protection reinforced concrete and sheet pile walls and associated leakage cut offs.

Existing embankments are being

demolished and replaced with new flood protection embankments, while some others are being remediated by sheet piling and also being reshaped.

Storm water interceptor sewers will be constructed, as will three storm water pumping stations – one at New Road, one at Francis Street and one at Castlelawn.

The Main Contractor for the project is Wills Brothers – formed in 1972 as a plant hire and civil engineering business as a joint partnership between James and Charles Wills.

In 1980 Wills Brothers Plant Hire Ltd was incorporated and in 1994 took over the trading activities of Wills Brothers.

In 1999 Wills Brothers Ltd was incorporated and took over the activities of Wills Brothers Plant Hire Ltd. The Company has undertaken a vast number of civil engineering projects throughout Ireland, utilising its extensive fleet of owned plant and equipment, with all projects being supervised by its team of long serving staff.

As a family run company, Wills Brothers takes pride in the standards achieved in projects, which culminate in numerous repeat contracts with clients.

The client base is very extensive, ranging from nearly all local authorities within Ireland, airport authorities, the National Roads Authority, major private developers and associated construction industries.

Work will be complete next summer.

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HOUSING CI

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Fold Housing Association For over 35 years Fold Housing Association has been providing housing, care and support to residents throughout Northern Ireland. The association currently supports over 5,000 tenants within purpose built housing and last year its family and general needs social housing stock overtook its sheltered housing stock.

The association has 96 office locations across Northern Ireland with over 800 staff on hand to help assist its residents and to support its sister association in Southern Ireland, Fold Ireland.

The priority of Fold Housing Association is to be the provider of choice for families and others in need of housing, care and support. With this in mind the Association aims to develop new social housing and care services in support of its tenants, manage its own housing stock and assist people so they can live independently in their own homes. For this an open approach is taken, so the residents understand exactly what the Association is doing, where its investments are and can see the results of its work. Focus is put onto taking care of residents, meeting their specific needs and investing in the areas the residents need the Association to invest.

The developments that Fold Housing Association are currently involved in range from large new build housing developments to refurbishments of care centres and home improvements. One major new build development currently underway is the creation of new social housing for Poleglass, Lisburn. This development, situated close to the Pembroke Link Road off Brian’s Well Road will see 34 social housing units built for local families in need of housing. The development will be made up of 16 two-bed and 12 three-bed dwellings and a further six three-bedroom apartments. The road

Minister McCausland visits the former St Patricks Barracks site in Ballymena, to announce the refurbishment of 47 homes

by Fold Housing Association. Image courtesy of Northern Ireland Executive

network will be upgraded and landscaped; in January 2014 at a cost of £3.8M. A open spaces have been incorporated into second planning application for the site the design by architect JNP Architects. The was submitted which will see a further development work was started by Main 10 new build properties being developed Contractor Connolly & Fee Ltd earlier this in 2014 for completion in 2015. year and it is hoped it will be open by August 2014.

The former St Patrick’s Barracks in Ballymena is also being redeveloped

by Connolly & Fee on behalf of Fold Housing We are pleased to be associated with the Association. The Poleglass Residential Development barracks have been unused for a Telephone number of years and currently consist of 078 56360744 47 units which were Email previously used as married quarters. vonplastering@hotmail.com The units are split into 16 twobedroom houses, 27 three-bedroom houses and four Office 123 four-bedroom Enkalon Business Park houses. Northern Antrim Ireland Executive Co Antrim Social Development BT41 4LD Minister Nelson McCausland handed the site over to Fold Housing Association in December 2012 and work commenced shortly after; it is hoped that the development work will complete

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CI COMMERCIAL

e200M expansion underway for Irish Distillers Group New investment takes place in Midleton and Dungourney The Irish Distillers group was formed in 1966 following a merger between three Irish whiskey distillers; John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and the Cork Distillery Company. In 1988 the Company became part of the Pernod Ricard umbrella group and has since been expanding the manufacture and supply of Jameson Whiskey and other Irish whiskey brands and acts as a distributor for other Pernod Ricard brands such as ABSOLUT vodka, Malibu and Jacob’s Creak.

In 1988 the Jameson brand had sold a total of 466,000 cases globally, and Pernod Ricard thought they could expand this drastically, with a range of investment being pumped into the brand the milestone of 4.3M cases sold globally was met by June 2012, with 1M of those sold in the US. Investment can go further though and this is why the Company announced in 2010 that they were adapting the distillery in order to meet these new demands.

The expansion of the distillery estate was a necessity so planning permission was submitted for a e100M extension to the existing Midleton distillery building

involved the employment of 350 construction workers and 30 permanent manufacturing and technical jobs have been created at the distillery following its completion. Irish Distillers Group was keen to keep the workforce local as they understand the importance of projects like this to the local economy. At least 80% of the products and services needed for the project were sourced using local builders, contractors and engineers. With the distillery currently spending in excess of e60M annually on payroll, cereals, energy and capital projects all going to the local economy it is understood that it will benefit significantly once the increase in production is underway.

The construction of the expansion took place between 2012 and 2013 and was carried out by Main Contractor PJ Hegarty & Sons. An official opening of the expanded distillery and unveiling of the Garden Stillhouse took place in September 2013. The event, ‘The Irish Distillers Housewarming’ featured a grand opening by The Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD, and saw the Distillery continued page 34 >

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The Garden Stillhouse, Midleton Irish Distillery

and a further e100M maturation facility in nearby Dungourney. The planning permission was approved and work started on both sites in 2012.

The extension of the distillery in Midleton will see the production capacity double to 64M litres of pure alcohol. The extension included the development of a new brew house, tank farms and still houses, in addition to water treatment, fire retention and wastewater treatment plants, underground services and paving and landscaping works. The new distillery facilities are located on a 128 acre site and is one of the biggest projects undertaken

by Irish Distillers Group since its formation.

The Garden Stillhouse, iconic due to its glass design, is located in the gardens of the original distiller’s cottage and is the main attraction of the expansion with exact replicas of the pot stills in the old still house, which have been hand made

by Richard Forsyth of Forsyths Ltd, Rothes.

Midleton Distillery is the only distillery in Ireland that has carried on the tradition of the pot still style of Irish whiskey distilling.

The extension to the Midleton facility

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Established 1979, we provide a comprehensive structural steelwork fabrication and erection service in the Pharmaceutical, Retail and Manufacturing sectors.

A detailed Quality System covers all aspects of our work, from incoming material inspection to Certification of Completion.

The Workshops are extensive, consisting of over 84,000 square feet with eighteen overhead gantry cranes servicing both the fabrication area and shotblasting and painting plants.

Our Health & Safety policies give the highest priority towards the promotion of safe & healthy working conditions throughout all our operations, with the aim of eliminating injury in the workplace.

Onsite work is carried out to high and exacting standards.

Erection crews are directly employed and highly experienced, utilizing a range of MEWP’s and cranes.

The Design & Drawing Office is highly computerized, utilising the latest estimating, detailing and ordering technologies. All detailing workstations are tightly integrated via CNC with the fabrication equipment.

Recent clients include E.M.C. Ireland, Eli Lilly S.A., Pepsi, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Wyeth Medica, Intel, Luas, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Merk and O’Callaghan Properties.

Cronin Buckley Limited are delighted to be associated with Irish Distillers Warehouse development at Dungourney, Midleton, Co. Cork.

Killumney, Ovens , Co. Cork, Republic of Ireland

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THE WRITECH GROUP A Global Leader In Fire Protection Systems

Fire Engineering Excellence The Writech Group incorporating Writech Industrial Services Ltd and Writech Manufacturing Ltd is one of Europe’s leading Fire Protection Engineering Companies.

From standard installations to special risk, the Writech Group provide turn-key solutions to the highest international approval standards.

Writech are proud to work with PJ Hegarty’s and have done so for over 20 years allowing for a mutual synergism and advancement in delivering to clients the highest standards in safety, project management, quality, efficiency & reliability.

Special Projects: Fire Protection System Turnkey Fire Deluge Special Hazard Contract Gas Turbines Power Generation Petrochemical Fire Pump Servicing / Maintenance

In August 2013, The Writech Group received the highest recognised safety award from PepsiCo Worldwide Flavors Putting Safety First.

In July 2013, The Writech Group’s UK Office were awarded the fire protection contract for Silverstone’s new F1 Training college.

Services Division: Maintenance Detection Installation Fixed/Portable Extinguishers Protection Installation Fixed/Portable Fire Water Pumps Special Products: Control Equipment Pipework Fabrication Steelwork Modules Fire Water Storage Tanks

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The Garden Stillhouse, Midleton Irish Distillery

opening its doors to key supporters, friends and employees from around the world, for a whole host of activities.

These included Irish whiskey tasting, live music and a food village showcasing the best of Irish foods and crafts.

Speaking at the event, Anna Malmhake, CEO and Chairman of Irish Distillers said: “The Company is proud to play its role in the Irish drinks industry, which is a hugely important part of the Irish economy with annual exports of almost e1.3Bn, a value added contribution of e2Bn, and a tax contribution of e1.8Bn by consumers. Jameson is a real Irish success story, having achieved 24 years of consecutive volume growth. As one of Ireland’s most successful exports, Jameson and Irish Distillers are playing their roles in the export led recovery of the economy.

“This expansion signifies a great day in

the history of Jameson and Irish Distillers and we look forward to building upon our success story here in Midleton by continuing to bring innovative facets of Irish whiskey to the market.”

During the construction of the expansion at Midleton, PJ Hegarty & Sons was preparing the site at Ballynona, North Dungourney, carrying out the groundworks for the e100M satellite maturation facility, which includes the development of 40 warehouses.

This facility is of great importance to the Irish Distillers Group following the expansion of the Midleton site as the increase in whiskey production requires an increase in storage.

Groundworks at the 70 acre site included retention ponds and soil stabilisation, and a new access road was completed earlier this year.

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The warehouse development is currently underway and the first of the warehouses should be operational in early 2014.

PJ Hegarty & Sons has a strong working relationship with the Irish Distillers group built from numerous projects. The Company was involved in the fit-out of The Irish Whiskey Collection store in Dublin Airport’s The Loop Retail Store in 2010 and also carried out refurbishment and upgrade work to the Irish Distillers Group Heritage Centre at the Midleton site this year.

Recent announcements from Pernod Ricard and the Irish Distillers Group have indicated that the companies also plan to revamp the Dublin based bottling plant, Fox & Greese next year.

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We do a substantial amount of industrial fencing on large sites and on motorways as well as temporary fencing and services on gas lines. Duncan Fencing can assure our customers of versatility and professional work which is completed on time with excellent quality.

Other projects such as landscaping, land reinstatement, land reclamation and sport field insulation are carried out throughout the country by the company.

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Bailick Roller Shutters Ltd. are manufacturers and installers of Industrial, Commercial and Residential Security Roller Shutter Doors, Sectional Doors, Hi-Speed Doors, Smoke/Fire Curtains & Blinds and Steel Personnel Doors.

Based in Midleton, Co. Cork, Ireland and with over 30 years experience, we at Bailick Roller Shutters Ltd. pride ourselves in providing the best solutions to your security needs. Our objectives are to continue to invest and develop our people, our products and our services, to ensure that we exceed the expectation of our customers in an ever changing environment.

R & R FARMS LTD. GROUNDWORK CONTRACTORS We are pleased to be associated with the Dungourney Warehouse Development and wish all involved continued success R&R Farms, Deer Park, Mogeely, Co. Cork

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COMMUNITY CI

St Mel’s Cathedral Rising from the ashes

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A landmark reconstruction project is underway to restore a historic old building in Longford that was destroyed by fire.

At approximately 5am on Christmas Day in 2009, St Mel’s Cathedral was completely gutted after a fire tore through the rear and throughout the building, just a few hours after midnight Mass had been celebrated.

Extinguishing this accidental blaze was hindered by freezing weather because pipes were frozen solid, causing the fire to continue for several hours. Initial investigations into the cause were also hampered by the precarious state of the building.

Fire services did their best to contain the fire, but unfortunately could not stop the flames spreading throughout the Cathedral, destroying all but the portico, bell tower and main walls.

The seats and organ were destroyed and the roof collapsed. There was severe fire damage to the walls, plaster, columns and marble work of the Longford Cathedral.

The museum also fell victim to the blaze, with the loss of many valuable items such as historic vestments, photographs and an exquisite collection of Penal crosses.

Soon after the fire and once the site had been made safe, the National Museum of

Ireland sifted through the debris of the Diocesan Museum, located at the rear of the Cathedral, and recovered a number of items.

Among the objects recovered are the Shrine of St Caillin, which is largely intact, a portion of the Crozier of St Mel, an early iron handbell from Wheery, County Offaly, and a 13th century crozier made at Limoges in France.

In all, over 200 objects have been recovered and removed from the site for safekeeping at the National Museum in Ireland.

An ongoing conservation strategy is being developed for the objects that have been recovered and conservation of the individual elements has commenced in Collins Barracks.

direction of the Gardai and structural engineers. Hegarty Demolition had to ensure that all internal walls were sufficiently supported and installed a temporary roof structure to cover the Cathedral to protect the inside from the elements and to allow work to go on underneath.

Shutters were fitted to the windows of the Cathedral in order to seal the building from the elements. In order to halt the deterioration and for safety, the internal columns and arches had to be supported with steel bracing and netting. This phase of work was completed in August 2010.

A year later, Kelly Brothers Ltd of Mullingar were appointed for investigative works and trial repairs. This contract comprised of trial cleaning, geothermal tests, steelwork, ground investigation, sample plasterwork and most importantly the replacement of one column.

The replacement of the column was very complex and the results provided important information to the design team for the reconstruction project.

The investigation works revealed the true scale of the damage to the stone columns, which found that all columns within the Cathedral have to be replaced. The sample replacement column was made by stone masons from East Clare from stone quarried in Ballinasloe. The Kelly Brothers contract was completed in December 2011.

Refurbishment of the statues, the tympanum, high up on the front façade was undertaken with the assistance and a grant from the Heritage Council.

Since public funding was associated with these works, the tender process followed the rules of public procurement.

The contract was awarded to Conservation and Restoration Ltd who commenced work in August 2011 and completed in November 2011.

Repairs included cleaning, sealing, repair of cracks, metal brackets, flashing, pointing and repairs to lintel over doors.

Work also includes structural restoration, consisting of the replacement roof, all

of the stone columns and pilasters, the new suspended ground floor and internal lime plaster up to cornice level.

This main contract includes the stone subcontract, plaster sub-contract and the roof and floors sub-contracts. The contract was awarded to GemPurcell Ltd in September 2012. Work commenced that month and structural work is now complete.

As part of the repair works to the statues on the front of the Cathedral, a time capsule was found in the body of the Sacred Heart statue – the highest statue on the Portico roof.

The capsule is quite corroded but contains paperwork that is thought to contain the names of the children of the diocese who contributed their pennies towards the purchase of the Sacred Heart statue.

This capsule has been passed onto the National Museum for analysis.

The famous stained glass windows by the Harry Clarke Studios – installed in 1932 on either side of the alter in the transepts – were intact to varying degrees following the fire.

These were salvaged in the days after the blaze before any vibration from demolition work could shatter the remnants of these windows.

Abbey Stained Glass Studios of Dublin were appointed and these magnificent windows have now been successfully restored.

These are now packed into purpose made crates awaiting installation once the building work is complete. A number of fan windows have also been repaired by the studio.

Interior restoration comprises of the finishing and complete fit out of the interior of the Cathedral. This will include mechanical and electrical services, lifts, windows and liturgical elements. Work has commenced and will be completed in December 2014 with GemPurcell undertaking the Main Contractor work.

Estimated to cost e30M, the conservation work of the Cathedral will be the largest project of its kind in Western Europe.

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In addition, a special committee comprising of a team of local and national experts was formed to assist the project committee to choose the contractors to replace the Cathedral’s organ.

Following a rigorous tender process, Fratelli Ruffatti, a renowned Italian firm from Padova has been appointed to design and build the organ for the renewed Cathedral – a significant milestone because the organ will be one of the key features of the restored Cathedral.

Everybody connected with the Cathedral has been resilient and showed great determination that the building will one day be restored – a determination on show in the immediate aftermath of the fire.

In January 2010 a statement was issued

by Bishop Colm O’Reilly confirming that the Cathedral would be restored and that same month, The Friends of St Mel’s Cathedral restoration fund was set up to facilitate the many people wanting to contribute to the work of reinstating the original splendour of St Mel’s Cathedral.

One of the first steps by Bishop O’Reilly was the appointment of a project committee.

The committee, under the chairmanship of Seamus Butler, meets every second week and gives their full support to the design team in the restoration project.

Interactive Project Managers Ltd were appointed by the project committee in May 2010. Their role is to coordinate the design team and all the groups that will be involved in the restoration of the building over the entire duration of the project.

An intensive selection process to appoint the design team for the restoration for the Cathedral was carried out in late 2010.

In February 2011, the development team for the restoration and reconstruction was announced. The Architects are Richard Hurley and Associate Architects and Fitzgerald, Kavanagh and Partners.

In the month after the fire, Hegarty Demolition arrived on site to secure it and make the building safe for inspection.

They carried out work initially under the

LEISURE CI

The Morrison Hotel

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Opened following a E7M refurbishment Ireland’s first DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel opened its doors in February, bringing one of Europe’s fastest growing upscale hotel brands to the Emerald Isle.

The Morrison Hotel has benefited from a contemporary renovation of its 138 rooms and suites, which have been redesigned with a brand new concept that is centred on music and sound.

This stylistic overhaul has also seen a new bar and restaurant – Bar Quay 14 and The Morrison Grill – incorporated into the hotel, and both were officially opened on the 1st February.

Situated in the heart of Dublin and on the banks of the River Liffey, the uber chic Morrison Hotel is a central location for hotel guests and visitors, as well as weddings, conferences and meetings.

It is surrounded by some of Dublin’s premier shopping and entertainment districts, and is just 40 steps across the Millennium Bridge from the lively quarter of Temple Bar. A wide range of meeting and conference spaces and facilities are also available for corporate hire and weddings, catering from groups as small as eight, up to as many as 240 people.

Dublin’s internationally renowned lifestyleboutique hotel has been repositioned as a vibrant hip hotel and eatery, making it a premier destination for local and international visitors in one of Dublin’s already established urban areas.

The hotel has grown significantly since

first opening in May 1999. In addition, it paved the way for many further concept ‘designer’ hotels within Ireland, and has been cutting edge since its beginnings, due to themes such as ‘East Meets West’.

Initially, the hotel comprised of 90 bedrooms and suites, a bar and restaurant, and the basement nightclub Lobo.

Just six years later, the hotel was extended to increase its number of bedrooms to 138 rooms, while meeting space was also added.

This latest development has improved the hotel even further, and since March 2012, it has been managed by Martinez Hotels & Resorts – a dynamic company led by highly experienced individuals with a strong track record in the hospitality industry.

Part of the Martinez Hotel Group, Martinez Hotels & Resorts was established in 2011, and the Company operates and manages a portfolio of midscale and upscale city and resort hotels across Europe.

The high quality design from Nikki O’Donnell Architects has paid tribute to the musical past of the hotel.

Many singer/songwriters from Ireland are included within the hotel because each room features a lyric from artists such as The Script, Imelda May, Damien Rice, Lisa Hannigan, and many more.

Decibel levels are featured on carpets, as well as a feature wall representing a sound wave.

In addition to musical features, there are some non-musical aspects of the

design, such as light boxes, lockers and a side table that lights up. Rooms are brightly coloured with either a pink, purple and turquoise theme.

The opening of the hotel was lauded

by Stephen Mulligan, UK & Ireland Director of Martinez Hotels & Resorts.

He said: “We set out with a very ambitious timeline for this project so we’re delighted to be opening the hotel on schedule and with the support of our new partners, Hilton Worldwide.

“The refurbishment coincides with a busier than normal event calendar for Ireland this year and we believe the reopening will not only benefit the long-term patrons of the Morrison, but will also contribute to the vibrancy of this up-and-coming part of Dublin.”

Austrian-based consulting company, MRP Hotels, also contributed greatly to the hotel.

The Company specialises in hospitality and hotel real estate, and managed this project.

Herbert Mascha, Managing Director at MRP Hotels, said: “We set a very tight schedule in terms of both design and construction, utilising a very experienced and skilled team to ensure the work was completed to standards – both internally as well as the respective brand standards.”

The Main Contractor for the stylistic overhaul of this luxury hotel was Walls Construction.

The hotel closed in November 2012 and reopened at the beginning of February 2013, within the schedule set out for construction.

ENERGYST’S RENTAL SOLUTIONS ARE DRIVEN BY QUALITY, EFFICIENCY AND RELIABILITY If there’s something you’d like to know.... maybe more information about our products, a project you’d like some advice with or you have a rental enquiry, please contact us.

+ 44 (0) 8457 697 450 SALES.SUPPORTUK@ENERGYST.COM WWW.ENERGYST.CO.UK

Wolverhampton - UK (HO) Energyst Rental Solutions LP Four Ashes Industrial Estate Station Road Four Ashes Wolverhampton WV10 7DB

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TEL. +44 (0) 8457 697 450 INFO.UK@ENERGYST.COM

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Leaders in Painting and Fire Proofing

Corlin Developments was established in 2003 as a highly specialist Fire Protection, Painting & Decorating Company. This family run business based in Castlederg, Co. Tyrone, has 30 years experience at various levels from Management to on site personnel.

Fire Protection This division offer a comprehensive service that includes assisting in design, specification, application & certification of the following systems Intumesent, Cementitious, Mineral Fibre, Boarding & Fire Stopping. A Firas approved Company with a commitment to protecting buildings and saving lives.

Painting & Decoration Our experience in this field is second to none and our completed contracts bear testimony to this. Having secured some of the biggest and most prestigious contracts throughout Ireland, from Private Houses, Industrial, Commercial Hospitals, Hotels & Shopping Centres to our recent and most intricate project the Luncheon Hall at Headfort House, Kells Co. Meath.

Specialist Maintenance This division, we are proud of our association over a long period with Blackrock Clinic and the Mater Hospital Dublin in carrying out some very highly skilled projects while these Buildings remained operational.

McLaughlin Decor Retail outlet in Castlederg offer the Painter and the DIY enthusiast a full range of the top trade names in Wallpaper & Paint and giftware to add that finishing touch to any room.

Corlin Developments Ltd McCay Court Castlederg Co. Tyrone BT81 7AT Tel: +44 (0) 28 8167 1762 Email: info@corlin.co.uk Website: www.corlin.co.uk