Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Ireland Construction News Archive for October 2011
31/10/2011
Work on a new art house cinema is set to get moving again after being stalled by a number of delays, now that a new contractor will take over the so called 'jinxed' project. Construction work on the new arthouse cinema on Lower Merchants Road, Galway is expected to restart within the next week. A
31/10/2011
The Square Centre in Tallaght, Dublin 24, is set to get a major boost with plans to upgrade and reopen the cinema complex which has been closed for about 18 months. Leading cinema chain IMC, owned by the Ward family, is to spend in excess of € 6 million on enhanced stadium-style seating, the latest
31/10/2011
The Crescent Arts Centre in Belfast has received a Community Benefit Commendation Award at the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RIC) National Awards Ceremony in London hosted by TV presenter Julia Bradbury. This category recognises the importance of providing local communities with outstand
31/10/2011
A Kildare-based contractor has been awarded the position of main contractor for a proposed €9m project in Wexford and a €4m project in Leitrim. Subject to planning approval BAM Contractors have been appointed for the proposed construction of a two to three-storey post primary school at Creagh Demes
31/10/2011
Despite an appeal an Irish University has been granted planning permission to build a new housing complex for students. Detailed plans for the construction of 77 student apartments was submitted to Kildare County Council in May of this year by the National University of Ireland however a third part
31/10/2011
Unusual happenings, such as haunting, can dramatically affect the saleability of a property, according to RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors). Homes in Northern Ireland and elsewhere in the UK rumoured to be haunted have remained on surveyors’ books for extended periods, while some home
31/10/2011
An Antrim-based construction firm has been appointed by a supermarket giant to build a new 130,000 sq ft supermarket in Salford. Ballymena builder, Patton Construction, has been sought out by Tesco to tackle the task of building a £45m Tesco superstore opposite Salford City Shopping Centre. Work o
28/10/2011
A new €50 million development at the site of the former St Finbarr’s Seminary in Farranferris has been widely welcomed. At the beginning of the week the go ahead was given for the ambitious plan, which will see the construction of three new educational buildings, comprising of Special Needs School,
28/10/2011
It has been revealed that over eight million pounds has been spent on maintenance schemes in Belfast so far this year, creating a much needed boost for the faltering construction sector. Ahead of a meeting with the Belfast City Council Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has outlined the pr
28/10/2011
Lapsed planning permission for a development of over 100 houses in County Kerry has been renewed. The project was originally granted permission in 2006 when local contractor, John Cahillane, had proposed the construction of 86 semidetached, 19 terraced and six detached homes at Rathmore. Mr Cahill
28/10/2011
There's gold in the desert according to a member of the Stormont Assembly's Enterprise Trade and Investment Committee. Robin Newton, who is also Chairman of the Assembly's Business Trust and is an East Belfast DUP MLA, has called for a concerted effort to exploit Libya's emerging business opportuni
28/10/2011
Investment totalling over £6m has been made available for the development of roads and other maintenance in the Newry and Mourne district. Development Minister Danny Kennedy has set out Roads Service’s progress on the investment totalling £6.6million for this year. Speaking ahead of this evening'
28/10/2011
Skills competitions are a great way to boost skills and get you noticed and 2011 has been a tremendous year for local construction apprentices competing at the local, national and international level in a range of categories from brickwork to wall & floor tiling. A total of six medals were achieve
28/10/2011
A design team has been appointed to work on the detailed design of a new school for Sacred Heart Primary School in Roscrea, County Tipperary. The project entails the construction of an extension to the existing school of approximately 1,120 sq.m., plus associated demolition, refurbishment and site
28/10/2011
Construction Information Services (CIS) is the leading provider of market intelligence in the Construction industry and allied industries in Ireland today. Founded in 1973, the company processes information on a daily basis on all the major construction projects throughout the country, North and So
27/10/2011
It has been revealed that a number of developers, whose debts were taken over by a bad debt agency, have been receiving salaries from the agency, with two receiving €200,000 last year. The Dáil's Public Accounts Committee was told that between 110 to 120 developers are being paid by the Nation Asse
27/10/2011
Tenders will be sought as plans progress through a public tendering procedure for enabling works and the main construction contract for a development at St. Luke’s Hospital in County Kilkenny. The project is currently under a design review. Although a revised planning application will not need to b
27/10/2011
Work is due to begin today with the laying of underwater cables that will link Britain and Ireland’s electricity grids. The EirGrid East West Interconnector involves the laying of 180km of undersea cables to enable the flow of electricity in both directions between Ireland and Britain. The €600m p
27/10/2011
Nearly 6,000 construction workers may miss out on funding that had been pledged to retrain and get them back to work after the previous government 'made a mistake'. Education and Skills Minister Ruairi Quinn said he is concerned that millions of euro will have to be returned to Europe unspent. In
27/10/2011
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland MLA has visited the Carnagat Estate in Newry to announce a funding award for the construction of a new 'kickabout' football pitch in the area. Speaking at the site of the project the Minister said: "I know there has been a demand for a purpose built spo
27/10/2011
A Tyrone company has secured a £7.5m contract during a Northern Ireland trade mission to Kurdistan. Environmental Marketing Solutions (EMS) Ltd, based in Killyman, signed the contract for four recycling systems. Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster, who led the Invest NI trade mission, said it showe
27/10/2011
Invest Northern Ireland has invested almost £2 million to develop serviced sites for industrial use at five business parks across Northern Ireland. The sites at Antrim Technology Park, Halfpenny Valley Business Park, Lurgan, Wattstown Business Park, Coleraine, Global Point Business Park, Newtownabb
26/10/2011
An Irish civil engineering firm has bagged a multi million-euro contract as infrastructure designers for a development in Saudi Arabia. Sligo-based company Jennings O'Donovan and Partners has announced it has secured a contract worth €2.8 million as primary infrastructure designers to the Diyar Al
26/10/2011
A proposed multi storey car park on Barrett Street in Ballina has been refused planning permission after an appeal was lodged against previously accepted planning. An Bord Pleanala refused the proposed multi storey car park on appeal. Last year Ballina Town Council granted conditional planning pe
26/10/2011
The main contractor has been appointed for the works involved in the construction of a mixed-use development at Ballymena Road, Portglenone. JMF Construction Ltd will tackle the development, which will comprise the construction of two retail units with ancillary spaces and petrol pumps. Parking wi
26/10/2011
Limerick City Council have spoke out about a block of vacant buildings saying that they should be registered 'derelict' if owners do not attempt to improve the buildings appearance. The buildings, which are located opposite the HSE offices at 34-41 Catherine Street cover around a quarter of an acre
26/10/2011
It has been announced that £23m will be made available for the construction of affordable homes and road repairs in Northern Ireland. Finance Minister Sammy Wilson announced the extra £10m in funding for affordable homes to the Department for Social Development (DSD) and £13.1m to the Department fo
26/10/2011
There have been angry exchanges over the proposed redevelopment of the former Maze Prison site. TUV leader Jim Allister has accused the DUP of "rolling over" in regards to Sinn Fein’s push in favour a conflict resolution centre being built on the former prison site. Meanwhile the UUP are also oppo
26/10/2011
The Adair Arms Hotel in Ballymena is investing £1.6 million with support from Invest Northern Ireland towards a restoration project aimed at increasing business from international markets. The three-star hotel was built originally in 1846 and attracts a range of business and leisure customers from
25/10/2011
Residential property prices have fallen by 14.3% in the year to September, according to new data released today by the Central Statistics Office (CSO). This compares with an annual rate of decline of 13.9% in August and a decline of 11.1% recorded in the 12 months to September 2010. Residential pr
25/10/2011
The Chief Executive of a US green building company believes Ireland's ability to embrace prefabrication has helped in the State's bid to reduce its carbon footprint and produce green buildings. According to an article prefabrication accounts for more than 30% of Ireland’s new builds while off site
25/10/2011
Tenders are currently being sought for the construction of 60 houses in a social development scheme in Derry. Planning applications revealed the intention for 60 houses with an option for a further 40 social housing units on lands between Glengalliagh Road and Racecourse Road, Bradley's Pass, Lond
25/10/2011
Calls have been made for the development of a conflict resolution centre at the old jail site in Long Kesh with promoters saying it could create jobs. Sinn Fein MLA Caitríona Ruane said that the redevelopment of the Long Kesh site would not only create jobs but also be a shining example of how the
25/10/2011
ESB Networks Ltd has just taken delivery of part of the single largest order of electric vehicles ever placed in Ireland. Electric Vehicles Ireland, based in Tullamore supplied the vehicles. A mixture of Smith Edison vans, based on the Ford Transit panel van and Smith Newton 10 tonne trucks were or
25/10/2011
The banking sector and the Stormont Executive are to join forces and work together to inject further funding into Northern Ireland's co-ownership housing scheme. The NI Finance Minister Sammy Wilson and the Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland announced that the Executive and local banks a
25/10/2011
German discount retail chain Aldi has unveiled plans to build a store in Charleville, North Cork. The company has lodged an application with Cork County Council for planning permission to build a premises on the site of the former ESB area service centre at Main Street, Rathgoggin South. The plan
24/10/2011
The Government is being warned to support the construction industry or face more cases like Priory Hall. The Dublin apartment complex was evacuated during the week over fire safety concerns. Launching its pre-Budget submission, the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) said Ireland needs a constr
24/10/2011
Social housing in Northern Ireland is set to benefit from a £65m boost as a result of a funding partnership between Clanmil Housing and Northern Bank. A £30m loan from Northern Bank will help Clanmil Housing access a further £35m statutory grant funding from the Department for Social Development -
24/10/2011
A group of managers previously involved with Liam Carroll's Zoe Group are among the three parties bidding for the Anglo building in Dublin, the Irish Independent has reported. The partially built block was one of a large number of properties owned by Liam Carroll's Zoe group of companies which col
24/10/2011
In what is being hailed as a significant move forward the main contractor has been appointed to work on an extension of a nursing home in Wicklow. The main contractor will undertake construction work of an extension to the St. Patricks Missionary Society’s facility in Kiltegan, County Wicklow. Ac
24/10/2011
Trench Control, the leading piling contractor and supplier of ground support equipment, has been selected by SIAC Construction to install Sheet Piling as part of the €60m Cork Flyover Project on the N25 ring road on the outskirts of Cork City. A two-year €60 million construction project to build tw
24/10/2011
An NI office has been crowned the UK's number one green building after beating stiff competition and finishing ahead of dozens of prestigious projects from right across the UK. The headquarters building of construction firm Graham in Hillsborough bagged the award- which means they have been named t
24/10/2011
Located just a few miles east of Slane in County Meath is one of Europe’s oldest man made structures. The Knowth Megalithic Passage Tomb is older than the Eygptian pyramids. The Megalithic sites of the Boyne valley which include Knowth, Newgrange and Dowth were designated a world heritage site b
21/10/2011
A fatal accident at road works has led to fines totalling €30,000 being handed down by Judge Michael O'Shea in the Dundalk Circuit Court to Gibson Brothers (Ireland) Ltd. The firm pleaded guilty to breaches of health and safety legislation in a case that arose as the result of the death of a member
21/10/2011
A call has been made for the Government to create legislation that will ensure strict building regulations are enforced. The Society of Chartered Surveyors (SCS) said tougher laws are needed to make certain construction projects in Ireland meet required standards. The society is holding its annual
21/10/2011
NI company Kingspan Renewables is continuing to expand its presence in the South African market with the announcement of a new partnership. As a result of a successful partnership with South African firm, Green Power, the company are now supplying their Thermomax solar collectors in an increasing n
21/10/2011
In a significant move forward work has commenced on the construction of a new €11m school in Dublin. When completed the new school for St. Colmcilles Senior and Junior Schools in Knocklyon will be a three-storey building with 64 classrooms. The project consists of the removal of all existing prefa
21/10/2011
Department store Debenhams is set to expand on its Irish base by opening two new stores in Carlow and Sligo after saying they believe the high street is 'alive and well'. This move comes as part of a massive expansion for the department store which plans to modernise a further 25 stores and open ni
21/10/2011
The premises of a community association in Armagh will be re-vamped now funding of over seventy thousand pounds has been secured. Builders have won a minor boost now that the NI Department for Social Development (DSD) Minister Nelson McCausland has announced a funding boost of £68,300 to upgrade th
20/10/2011
A Derry-born developer has come under attack after sub-standard work led to the eviction of 180 residents from his Priory Hall housing complex in Dublin. Even Taoiseach Enda Kenny has criticised the developer, Thomas McFeely, who was behind the ill-fated complex saying that if he had done his job p
20/10/2011
A new scheme worth over three million pounds has been launched to help first time buyers get their foot on the property ladder and in turn boost the construction sector. NI Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced the FirstBuyNI pilot scheme aimed at helping new and returning hom
20/10/2011
A man from Louth has been fined after a joiner broke his leg falling from scaffolding in the town. Self-employed Mario Mazzarella was working on scaffolding built for him by Panther Scaffolding at the Helal Restaurant on Mercer Row in Louth on 9 November 2009, when a bus collided with the structure
20/10/2011
An investment totaling over £1.7m has been made available for the upgrade of Antrim town centre. The streets marked for improvement include Market Square, High Street and Church Street. The scheme will involve: a new bus lane, tree planting, new street lighting and furniture,
20/10/2011
Tenders have been returned and are currently being assessed for the appointment of a contractor to undertake work on a development at Bon Secours Hospital in Cork City. A main contractor is expected to be appointed in November 2011 and work is predicted to commence in the first quarter of 2012. De
20/10/2011
Construction output in Northern Ireland has continued to fall in the largest quarterly decrease in production since 2008. According to recent figures published by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) the total volume of construction output in the second quarter of 2011 fell b
19/10/2011
Dublin-based architects have been short-listed for a prestigious award for their design of the newly opened Millfield Centre in Dublin. Millfield Town Centre in Balbriggan, Co Dublin, is one of four developments short listed for the best architectural project in 2011 at the forthcoming CVBG Buildin
19/10/2011
The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) has called for the introduction of a system to deliver stronger enforcement of the Building Regulations. The RIAI's Director, John Graby, said that the Institute has been engaging with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Go
19/10/2011
One of Ireland's oldest family-run construction firms has seen its turnover plummet in the last year, according to a news report by The Irish Times. The report revealed that the company's turnover from operations in the Republic dropped by more than €18.2 million last year. John Graham Holdings Lt
19/10/2011
Northern Ireland has triumphed at the global skills competition WorldSkills London 2011, winning gold, silver and bronze medals as part of Team UK. A gold medal in bricklaying was awarded to Philip Green, student at Belfast Metropolitan College and self-employed at DG Green and Sons, Lisburn. A s
19/10/2011
Progress by NI's Roads Service on investment totaling £2.3million for maintenance schemes in the North Down Borough this year has been welcomed. Speaking ahead of a meeting between Roads Service and North Down Borough Council, the Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy said: "A wide ran
19/10/2011
An extension to a factory used by a leading manufacturing firm is open for business and in turn has created 30 new jobs. Stormont Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has officially opened Creative Composites' new factory extension in Lisburn, and announced that the company had boosted employment with
19/10/2011
Despite criticism and complaints, planners have said that the proposed Tesco store at Carryduff on the outskirts of south Belfast should be given the go-ahead. The Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) has said that the store could "limit retail regeneration" but Castlereag
18/10/2011
A telecom entrepreneur has been granted planning permission for a multi-million euro project at St Stephen’s Green, in Dublin. Dennis O’Brien -who bought a run-down Canada House building for €22.8m in the city centre -has been given the thumbs up to demolish the existing five-storey office block
18/10/2011
A €1.1m demolition contract in Dublin has been awarded to a Birmingham-based contractor. According to
18/10/2011
The Irish Government has been criticised over "dragging its feet" in regards to the next stages of the regeneration scheme in Limerick. Fianna Fail TD Willie O’Dea has called out over fears that "the axe is coming down" on the cost of Limerick Regeneration Programme. Twenty-six projects-mainly hou
18/10/2011
A housing firm - responsible for a several upmarket housing developments in Fermanagh - has gone into administration. According to a report by the BBC housing firm GP Williams owes the banks in the region of £30m. The company’s accounts for the year ending December 2009 also revealed accumulated l
18/10/2011
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has set out Roads Service's progress on investment totalling £4.5million for maintenance schemes in the Ards Borough this year. Speaking after last night’s meeting between Roads Service and Ards Borough Council, the Minister said: "A wide ra
18/10/2011
A multi-million pound plan to upgrade the leisure facilities in Londonderry's Waterside has been approved after a meeting with Derry City Council's Development Committee. The plans will see a new sports campus constructed at St Columb's Park in a bid to move various sporting interests to one site.
17/10/2011
Talks have been held to discuss the planned new children's hospital in Dublin with promoters calling the new facility 'world-class'. An Bord Pleanála has heard that the planned new children's hospital at the site of the existing Mater Hospital in Dublin will provide a "world-class medical facility"
17/10/2011
The Stormont Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has announced an investment of half a million pounds for three new resurfacing schemes for the Cookstown and Magherafelt areas. The three new resurfacing schemes include a £256,000 investment on the A29 in Moneymore, along Lawford Street and Stat
17/10/2011
Tenders are being sought by Omagh Enterprise Company for the construction of a £1.5m innovation centre. The project calls for the construction of a two-storey Innovation Growth Centre at Great Northern Road, Omagh. Designed by Edmond Shipway Architects, the centre will provide office units and inc
17/10/2011
Thirteen new licenses have been awarded for gas and oil exploration in various basins off the Irish Coast. Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte said the licences were granted following an assessment of 15 applications submitted last May. The licenses are valid for
17/10/2011
Three preferred rapid transit routes for Belfast have been unveiled. The east, west and Titanic Quarter will be linked with the city centre via dedicated bus lanes with streamlined ticketing services under the proposals. Meanwhile plans to turn a seven-mile pedestrian route through east Belfast, t
17/10/2011
One of the largest roof top beer gardens in Northern Ireland has been completely refurbished. The popular Sugar Nite Club which has a capacity for 500, is part of the Downey multi level bar complex on Shipquay Street in Derry City. As part of the refurbishment a 200m2 low maintenance, anti-slip
17/10/2011
KCC Architectural, the leading supplier of integrated Architectural products and services to the construction industry has been forced to expand its business abroad due to the down turn in construction activity in Ireland. KCC’s Managing Director, Chris Kilpatrick said that ‘with the domestic m
17/10/2011
Construction companies with a surplus of used plant and equipment are being called on to take advantage of online auction specialist
14/10/2011
More than 2,000 housing developments across the Republic of Ireland remain unfinished reflecting a significant reduction in construction activity in 2011. According to the National Housing Survey over 700 developments have been finished but the amount that remain unfinished is in the thousands. O
14/10/2011
A Northern Ireland-based contractor has bagged work on a £10m mechanical and electrical maintenance project. BI Electrical Services (NI) Ltd will complete a catalogue of work on schools and associated facilities across the country. Main construction work will include examination and testing of li
14/10/2011
An Irish-based civil engineeering company has been awarded the main contractor position in the development of a wind farm in North Devon. John Sisk & Son along with subcontractors Roadform Contracts Ltd will develop Fullabrook Wind Farm in Devon. Devon Wind Power Ltd, a subsidiary of ESB, awarded
14/10/2011
Plans for the Bangor regeneration remain on track despite financial problems incurred during the scheme. According to the Department of Social Development (DSD) the Queen's Parade development, which has been ten years in the planning, is making progress. Concerns emerged when, MAR Properties, part
14/10/2011
A boost to Ireland's construction jobs has been announced with the plans of a €30m development in Cork. According to a report by the Irish Examiner Boston Scientific is to seek planning permission for the multi-million euro development in Cork, designed to secure the future of 600 jobs in the city.
14/10/2011
Significant changes are to be suggested in the housing sector following questions over why so much public money was being paid to social housing providers and why so many separate organisations are providing housing in Northern Ireland. Addressing the annual conference of the Northern Ireland Feder
13/10/2011
The construction industry has been given a much needed boost with the announcement of a £18m social housing scheme. Stormont Housing Minister Nelson McCausland has kick-started building work at a new social housing scheme, one of the largest developments currently under construction in Newcastle.
13/10/2011
Conditional planning permission has been awarded to allow the construction of a budget hotel in Limerick. Limerick County Council gave their nod of approval to the scheme which will see a 50 bedroom hotel constructed beside the Unicorn Bar in Dooradoyle. According to the Limerick Leader Anne Green
13/10/2011
David Mackay, the Irish-Scots architect responsible for much of the regeneration of Barcelona, has said that politicians and creative professionals need to work closely together to regenerate our cities. Mr Mackay was speaking at the Design and Cities – Lessons from Barcelona conference – jointly
13/10/2011
Downpatrick's town centre makeover - worth over £3m - has been unveiled. NI Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland and Tourism Minister Arlene Foster have visited Downpatrick to reveal the £3.2 million town centre public realm scheme. The major regeneration project has created a high qua
13/10/2011
A leading biotechnology company has revealed a €150m expansion of their campus in Waterford. Genzyme, a Sanofi company, upgraded their facility to enable increased capacity at in manufacturing operation, additional development capability, laboratory facilities and administration offices. The biote
13/10/2011
Belfast is set to build a new, faster way of getting its inhabitants around the city. While the NI capital isn't San Francisco and won't be getting a similar transport system to the iconic Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system, the city's transport may soon take on a distinctly European character in
13/10/2011
Work on a new centre for science and health research with a synergy II expansion is making steady progress. BAM Building has recently commenced work on the demolition of the existing ball alley and construction of an extension to the existing synergy building at Tallaght IT. The extension compris
12/10/2011
According to a recent survey the Northern Ireland housing market has seen a slight improvement in September but it also suggested that house prices are continuing to fall. Data collected by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) revealed that average house prices continued to fall after
12/10/2011
Tenders are expected to be invited from a select list of contractors during late November for the proposed refurbishment of a protected structure. According to
12/10/2011
Planners have approved a £35m extension to a shopping centre in Newry giving hope of 200 construction jobs. This follows an announcement that a multi-million pound development plan for the Quays Shopping Centre in Newry has been given the green light. It is understood that 150,000sq ft of retail a
12/10/2011
A "master plan" to develop one of Ireland’s busiest ports has been revealed, with public consultation being the first port of call in the process. According to a report by the Irish Examiner, Shannon Foynes Port Company (SFPC) have announced public consultation with the port’s stakeholders and inte
12/10/2011
A manufacturer of construction materials is showcasing their new £2m wind turbine, which is the largest single wind turbine on an industrial site in Northern Ireland. A new video detailing the delivery and installation of Brett Martin's, 100 metre high wind turbine is now available to view at the c
12/10/2011
A major Australian construction contractor is urgently looking for 100 Irish workers to work on the largest natural gas project in Australia's history. JobContax is looking for construction foremen and site managers and it is offering salaries in excess of €140,000. Employer-sponsored, four-year v
11/10/2011
An ambitious revamp of a Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) stadium is set to get underway after a long awaited land deal was made last night. According to the Irish Examiner Páirc Uí Chaoimh will undergo a massive development now that Cork County Concillors have agreed to sell almost seven acres of
11/10/2011
A call has been made for the reconstruction of Waterside Train Station to be included in the budget for the upgrading of the Derry-Coleraine rail route. SDLP Foyle MLA Mark Durkan has asked the NI Regional Development Minister, Danny Kennedy to consider upgrading the station from its "dilapidated s
11/10/2011
Homeowners whose houses have been affected by the use of pyrite are to meet with the Oireachtas Environment Committee to outline their concerns. It is understood that up to 20,000 homes have been built using pyrite, a substance that causes walls to swell and crack. An ongoing debate has emerged
11/10/2011
Activity in Ireland’s construction sector has seen it lowest point, in over a year, following low orders and weak client confidence. Construction remained the economy's weakest sector in September, with activity falling at its sharpest pace in 16 months. A survey from Markit economics and Ulster B
11/10/2011
Carrickfergus Town Centre is to undergo a major makeover following investment of almost £2m. The NI Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced the investment and said that it will be used to create vibrant town centre in Carrickfergus. The scheme will provide high quality s
11/10/2011
A Co Tyrone company Northern Mouldings Ltd is welcoming in a new era by rebranding under the name 'Promould'. As part of the prestigious Heron Bros Group, Northern Moulding, based in Cookstown, designs, manufactures and distributes a range of MDF profiles for the architectural, kitchen, bedroom and
11/10/2011
Steady progress is being made in the Down District, where maintenance and road works are being tackled, following an investment of over £5m. Projects such as the new footway on the Grand Jury Road at Saintfield and the resurfacing of the A2 Dundrum Road in Newcastle are already complete with other
10/10/2011
A serious accident that led to a worker losing his arm in machinery has been recalled in court. The Northern Ireland waste company involved has been fined after breaching health and safety legislation which resulted in an employee being badly injured. Natural World Products Ltd. was fined £5,000 a
10/10/2011
Northern Ireland has triumphed at the global skills competition WorldSkills London 2011, winning gold, silver and bronze medals as part of Team UK. A gold medal in bricklaying was awarded to Philip Green, student at Belfast Metropolitan College and self-employed at DG Green and Sons,
10/10/2011
Construction has started on a new facility which involves a €10m investment. Audi North Dublin has commenced construction on their new facility which is due to be completed in June 2012. Construction of the new facility, which has been designed by Allmann Sattler Wappner of Munich, is part of Audi
10/10/2011
Planning permission is expected to be sought for a state of the art bio park in Claremorris in County Mayo and if successful several hundred construction jobs will be created. A 20 acre site at Kilbeg will be used for the development and it is understood that planning permission will be submitted t
10/10/2011
A major civil engineering firm has gone into administration but it is hoped that the company will survive. According to a report by BBC, PT McWilliams, a civil engineering firm based in County Tyrone, are trying to reach an agreement with creditors. This agreement would see the creditors accepting
10/10/2011
It is now several months since the Smokers Gallery opened at Belfast International Airport where the airport building is a no smoking zone. Passengers awaiting departure, after passing through security checks, can pay a one pound fee for the privilege of smoking a cigarette or two before they boa
10/10/2011
A call for advice on the environmental impact of 'fracking' for gas has been made. The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte told the Irish parliament that he is formally requesting the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct research and to advise on the
07/10/2011
In a significant step forward, the European Commission has given their approval on an application that will make significant funds available to help unemployed construction workers across Ireland. If approved Ireland will receive €35m from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) to help 5,
07/10/2011
A main contractor has been appointed to undertake construction of a new church complex in Swords, County Dublin. The project, designed by O’Connell and Dixon calls for the construction of a new church complex on two levels. An external notice board and signage on the site at Feltrim road and car p
07/10/2011
The Northern Ireland Housing Executive is axing 500 jobs over the next four years. These redundancies, which will see one in every six employees being let go, have been implement as a direct result of budget cuts. Housing chiefs are required to streamline administration and staffing costs. A sp
07/10/2011
Following a call to prioritise the rail line between Coleraine and Londonderry funding has been allocated to get the scheme on track earlier than expected. The executive has transferred £27m of funds from the budget allocated to the A5 Derry to Dublin road. The project will now begin in July 2012,
07/10/2011
A multi-million euro care facility has been given the green light despite planning permission being refused by Limerick County Council. According to the Limerick Leader An Bord Pleanala has given the go-ahead for the construction of a primary care facility in Kilmallock. Local authorities rejected
06/10/2011
Approval has been secured to build a £139m joint public services college at Desertcreat after the former Health Minister originally stalled the project. The way is now open to submit a full planning application and launch a tendering process to develop the state of the art college on the outskirts
06/10/2011
One of Northern Ireland's leading construction companys and an architect have been fined after pleading guilty to two breaches of health and safety legislation which caused the death of an employee five years ago. Henry Brothers (Magherafelt) Limited was fined a total of £75,000 plus £15,000 costs
06/10/2011
The stalled Opera Centre development in Limerick City centre is back on the market after a five-year wait for the new complex. The site was sold at the height of the property boom for €110m by Belfast property developer, Suneil Sharma. Now three years on the site value, which includes 40 properti
06/10/2011
A new lease of life has been proposed for an existing retail planning policy. Environment Minister Alex Attwood announced that he intends to place the draft PPS5 planning policy before next week’s meeting of the Northern Ireland Executive, seeking its formal adoption. Draft PPS5 relates to retaili
06/10/2011
A main contractor has now been appointed to undertake work on a new special needs school project at St. Michael’s House in Raheny, County Dublin. The development designed by Dublin-based James Smyth Architects calls for the redevelopment of the school for pupils with special needs. It will involve
06/10/2011
The Irish Government's National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) has released more details about the Northern Ireland properties it has repossessed. According to the BBC the properties have been published in an updated list containing more than 50 sites. It is understood that the remainder of develo
05/10/2011
Dubin's public sewage plant is to undergo a massive upgrade after being over capacity for nearly a decade. €220 million is to be spent on the upgrade to Dublin's municipal sewage plant at Ringsend which has been working at overcapacity since it opened 8 years ago. According
05/10/2011
Tenders are expected to be sought imminently for the appointment of a main contractor to undertake construction work on a €1 million extension to Scoil Colmcille in Cork City. The project calls for the construction of a three-storey extension comprising of three new classrooms, to the existing thre
05/10/2011
The European Commission has announced proposals that if passed, will make significant funds available to help unemployed construction workers across Ireland back into work. The plan will see Ireland receive €35m from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) to help 5,987 redundant construct
05/10/2011
Louth technology company OpenHydro, which is currently building the world's first large-scale, grid-connected tidal energy farm with energy giant EDF off the north coast of France, has been announced overall winner of the prestigious Engineers Ireland Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Compan
05/10/2011
A site once set aside for Belfast's tallest building could now be used once again for a filling station. The site bought at the height of the property boom was planned for the 'Aurora' skyscraper - if the development had of went ahead it would have become the tallest building in Belfast. Developer
05/10/2011
An NI plastic products manufactuer has secured a significant business deal for its PVC products. Boomer Industries in Lisburn has signed off on a deal with a new customer in Saudi Arabia for its PVC products including pre-hung door systems. The company is supplying its products and services to Ne
05/10/2011
Calls have been made to prioritise the Londonderry rail link following an announcement that the upgrade plans will be halted until 2014. Chairman of the Londonderry’s City of Culture Company wants the executive to reconsider their plans to postpone the development and make the rail link a priority.
04/10/2011
It has been alleged that Limerick County Council will be investigated for 'mal-administration' in their planning department. The Limerick Leader has reported that a complaint from outside Co Limerick that pertains to a planning permission is being investigated. The Deputy County Manager, Gerry Beh
04/10/2011
An Irish and UK distributor has had one of their products certified by a prestigious body. Acara Concepts Limited have announced that their Phonewell acoustic insulation board has been accredited by the British Board of Agrement Certification (BBA). The rigorous assessment carried out by the BBA h
04/10/2011
A Northern Ireland university has received recognition for the teaching of energy and building services engineering. The University of Ulster's School of the Built Environment has been acknowledged by a leading UK professional body for its excellence of teaching in the sector. It has won the Happo
04/10/2011
Building product specialists, C-Tec, will head to a sales week in a bid to showcase their top products. Cork Building Providers, who supply products to the building, plumbing and DIY sector, have invited C –Tec to their sales event. The event is running this week from the 3rd-7th October in Cork B
04/10/2011
Over £9m worth of road upgrades are currently getting underway in Northern Ireland. In three statements Development Minister Danny Kennedy has set out Roads Service's progress in Banbridge, Larne and Armagh. Investment totaling £3.9million for maintenance schemes in the Banbridge District this yea
04/10/2011
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has invited third level students on construction-related courses to participate in its annual 'Safety in Design' competition. The prizes include €3,000 for the winning team and €1,000 for finalist teams. The competition involves setting up a Design Build Team
03/10/2011
A decision on whether further development will be allowed on the out-of-town Parkway Valley site will now not be made until the end of the month. Limerick County Council’s planners were expected to make a decision today on a series of applications from Alocin seeking an extension of permissions gra
03/10/2011
Six lots are due to be auctioned off in Cork in a bid to get rid of property more quickly and with a trend toward public auctions emerging. This is the first of a series of auctions to be held in Cork. The event, hosted by auction house Denis A Barrett Auctioneers will take place tomorrow at the
03/10/2011
A Carrickfergus fit-out company has become the first firm to retain a prestigious UK interiors award. McCue Fit-Out defended its 'Shopfitting Excellence' crown at the Retail Week Interiors Awards for its work on a major Urban Outfitters store in Cardiff. Last year it secured the title for the compl
03/10/2011
A £5 million investment has been made in one of Northern Ireland's top entertainment venues, with the hope that it will become a top business spot. Belfast's Odyssey Arena has upgraded its facilities with a launch of a 64-seater 'West Suite'. This is a new luxury corporate hospitality suite, which
03/10/2011
'Green Building' has been hailed as a way to give local construction a competitive edge, with calls for a £70m investment. The construction industry has been one of the hardest hit sectors in the north during the recession. But the SDLP say that from "a crisis we must seek opportunity". The politi
03/10/2011
CPi Foam has been honoured for one of their spray foam products. The company was awarded the highest accolade possible for their open cell spray foam by the NSAI agreement. EZero E:500 was tested with a number of European certified tests before CPI Foam was deemed eligible to receive the award.
