An unwavering commitment to quality, innovation and client satisfaction earned Eamon Costello (Kerry) Ltd richly deserved success at the 2024 Irish Construction Excellence Awards.
The long-established main contractor came top of the pile in the ‘Education Project – Up to €10m’ category for the successful delivery of its St Brogan’s College, Bandon project for Cork ETB. The West Cork secondary school underwent a transformative construction project involving a three-storey standalone extension using precast concrete and rainscreen cladding.
The expansion houses diverse facilities such as classrooms, laboratories, offices, stores, toilets and auxiliary spaces. The intricate site work included demolishing tarmac courts, excavation, retaining, creating a new bus drop-off area, constructing boundary walls, managing services, implementing drainage systems and landscaping.
The 12-month project navigated challenges such as an operational school of 800 pupils, a public road and footpath, requiring meticulous scheduling, traffic management plans, safety barriers and collaboration with school authorities and local officials. Ensuring safety during school runs was a priority, emphasising a smooth execution while minimising disruption. Adherence to safety regulations, obtaining permits and securing approvals were pivotal in successfully realising the project with specified constraints, showcasing a harmonious blend of construction efficiency and community sensitivity.
The Irish Construction Excellence Awards (ICE Awards) are the original and premier recognition of performance excellence for the contracting sector in Ireland, and provide an opportunity for the industry to showcase and reward best practice across the full range of construction disciplines and project categories.
“We were delighted to be named as winners of an ICE Award, and very proud to have delivered this successful project for Cork ETB and all that will benefit from it,” Eamon Costello (Kerry) Ltd project manager Patrick Hand says.
“The nomination and success means a lot to us and reflects well on the whole team. We enjoyed an excellent working relationship with all the stakeholders throughout the construction process, including KOBW Architects, Downes Associates Engineers, Semple McKillop Consulting Engineers and the client. It was a real team effort.”
The decision to use modern methods of construction for the St Brogan’s project by implementing precast walls, hollow-core construction and a steel frame roof demonstrates a forward-thinking and innovative approach on the Tralee-headquartered company’s part. These methods are known for their efficiency, speed and often improved quality compared to traditional construction techniques.
Utilising precast walls and hollow-core construction can offer several advantages. Precast walls are manufactured off-site, thus reducing on-site construction time and minimising potential weather-related delays. They also tend to have higher quality control due to their fabrication in a controlled environment. Hollow-core construction, on the other hand, provides lightweight yet structurally-sound floors, enhancing the building’s overall efficiency.
The incorporation of a steel frame roof further emphasises the utilisation of durable and versatile materials. Steel frames are known for their strength-to-weight ratio, allowing for larger open spaces and flexibility in architectural design.
Moreover, employing BIM (Building Information Modelling) for designing and modelling the structure was a significant step towards ensuring precision and efficiency throughout the project lifecycle. BIM allows for a detailed digital representation of the building, enabling stakeholders to visualise the project and identify potential clashes or conflicts in design elements before construction begins. This proactive clash detection interface helps mitigate issues and discrepancies, ultimately reducing rework and associated costs.
By embracing these modern construction methods and utilising BIM for design and coordination, the Bandon project benefited from increased efficiency, reduced construction time, improved accuracy and lower overall costs compared to traditional methods. It also underscores a commitment to innovation and quality in delivering a structurally-sound and well-designed building.
“The project not only met, but exceeded the client’s initial brief,” Patrick explains.
“Our team showcased an integrated approach to design, incorporating energy-efficient strategies, sustainability measures and accessibility standards that surpassed expectations. This proactive stance demonstrated a commitment to delivering added value to the client.
“The implemented energy efficiency strategies, including passive ventilation, solar PV panels and meticulous attention to thermal insulation, didn’t just comply with regulations, but were tailored to create a more comfortable, sustainable and cost-effective building. The use of ultra-modern methods of construction, including the new Lean process, contributed greatly to the overall success of the project.”
Founded in 1977, Eamon Costello (Kerry) Ltd is a mid-sized construction services company with a head office in Tralee and a regional office in Premier business Centre Citywest Dublin 24 . The business is fronted by Declan and Triona Costello, and employs 50 people directly who are supported and supplemented by the same tried and tested subcontractors.
For almost half a century, the company’s number one goal has been to deliver quality projects and value-for-money to its clients in a safe and sustainable manner. Eamon Costello (Kerry) Ltd enjoys an enviable reputation within the industry, and remains firmly focused on growing and delivering in new and innovative ways. Getting it right, first time is a given with this exceptional family business.
With clients in both the public and private sectors, Eamon Costello (Kerry) Ltd is never short of work. It is currently engaged in a €20m phased extension and refurbishment of St Joseph’s College in Lucan, Co. Dublin, a new private residential development consisting of 14 two-storey, semi-detached and terraced dwellings on the site of the former Tralee CBS monastery building, a 90-bed student accommodation complex at Mardyke Walk in Cork as well as a number of large one-off residential builds.
The contractor has also forged strong relations with Kerry County Council and OPW, having carried out extensive conservation works for the latter to Doneraile House in Mallow, which has become a popular tourist attraction in recent years.
As Eamon Costello (Kerry) Ltd continues to go from strength to strength, the company would like to take this opportunity to thank its clients, suppliers and design teams for their continued support as well as its top-class team for their hard work, dedication and expertise.
Eamon Costello (Kerry) Ltd
17 Murphy’s Terrace,
Ballymullen,
Tralee,
Co. Kerry.
Telephone: 066 719 4988.
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.eckerry.com
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, July 2024, Vol 10 No 7
