Mac Plant & Civils Ltd is a leading civil engineering, grab hire and plant hire specialist based in Riverstick, Co. Cork.
Established in 2017 by Stephen McCarthy, the company has grown to employ 30 people on both a full-time and subcontract basis, including Stephen’s wife Avril, who looks after the administration side of things. With clients such as Cork City Council, Cork County Council and the OPW on its books, Mac Plant & Civils has earned an enviable reputation for top quality work at a competitive price.
While Mac Plant & Civils is a relatively new company, Stephen has a wealth of experience in the industry. He grew up working in the family business, McCarthy Plant Hire, which was set up in Skibbereen by his grandfather Charlie McCarthy in the 1960s, and is still going strong.
“I’ve always been involved in the business. It’s in the blood,” he says,
Mac Plant & Civils has vast experience of delivering infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, structures, utility installations and environmental works. With a commitment to quality, safety and professionalism, it has delivered a comprehensive range of projects for both public and private sector clients.
The contractor’s highly-skilled civil engineering team works closely with clients to deliver innovative and cost-effective solutions to meet their project delivery needs. Stephen and his crew pride themselves in the delivery of both minor and major civil engineering projects safely, on time and within budget.
Working closely with its customers and suppliers, Mac Plant & Civils is committed to efficient project delivery. Skills and expertise are shared to facilitate this. The company draws on its vast knowledge and experience in all aspects of its operations, with an end goal of working towards an approach which embraces change and collaborates at each stage. Whether it’s strategic asset management or construction, Mac Plant & Civils strives to maintain its impeccable reputation as a leading name in civil engineering.
As much as 90% of the family business’ civil works are carried out on behalf of Cork City Council, for whom it was the main contractor on the high-profile Elizabeth Fort Outdoor Public Spaces Scheme. Recently shortlisted for a prestigious KPMG Irish Independent Property Industry Excellence Award, the project saw the historical 17th century Elizabeth Fort in Cork City transformed into an outdoor arts and cultural venue.
The key elements of the Elizabeth Fort Outdoor Public Spaces Scheme included the creation of a timber-framed stage structure, with a removable waterproof covering; electrical upgrade works which will allow for new power outlets around the fort; the retrofitting of seating to the existing stone upstands around the perimeter planting area; and an improved planting scheme for the perimeter green areas.
“The works package consisted of the creation of a new outdoor timber-framed stage, outdoor seating and resurfacing of the parade ground. It was a lovely project to be associated with,” the affable managing director explains.
Grab hire and plant hire are the other key services provided by Mac Plant & Civils to builders, homeowners, utility companies and all contractors in the Cork and Munster region. The company offers a reliable and cost-effective solution for moving large quantities of soil, excavation materials, garden waste and other construction waste. It operates a fully-licensed waste recycling facility near Riverstick and holds up-to-date waste collection permits.
Stephen’s experienced, certified and insured drivers have received in-depth training across a range of aptitudes. Whether you need material delivered into an awkward space or a difficult-to-reach environment, or whether you’re transporting aggregate or green waste, the team at Mac Plant & Civils are up to the task and can get your materials exactly to where they are needed.
In addition, Mac Plant & Civils supplies a wide range of plant hire throughout Ireland. The company offers a flexible service which means you can hire a vehicle and driver by the hour or for a longer-term project, depending on your individual requirements.
Committed to providing a top-class service and complete customer satisfaction, Mac Plant & Civils has an array of machinery to carry out your civil works quickly and efficiently, including Hyundai and Kubota excavators ranging from one to 30 tonnes, dumpers ranging from three to 25 tonnes, rollers, a bulldozer and other equipment. The company also runs a 10-strong fleet of Renault, Scania, Volvo and DAF articulated, tipper and grab trucks. All vehicles and machines are maintained and upgraded on a regular basis to avoid breakdowns and downtime.
Furthermore, the vehicles are fully equipped with all of the safety features required under Irish construction law, including reversing sensors, high visibility markings, back-up alarms, ABS braking systems and fire extinguishers. The larger machines are fitted with GPS and the dozers are fitted with GPS control.
Health & Safety is paramount at Mac Plant & Civils who are Safe-T-Cert accredited and are also a CIF member.
Repeat business has been central to the company’s continued growth and success.
“We stick to our word and never let anyone down. We’re on both the Cork City Council and Cork County Council frameworks, and have forged strong relationships with them as well as with all of our customers,” Stephen proudly points out.
“We’re currently working on a road safety improvement scheme for Cork City Council across the city, and also have bus shelter, footpath replacement and drainage contracts with them. We’re also putting in a hydrometric station on the Bandon River in Bandon, and a slipway and steps from Ellen’s Rock leading out to Garinish Island in Glengarriff. Both of those projects are for the OPW.”
As Mac Plant & Civils continues to go from strength to strength, Stephen would like to take this opportunity to thank his clients and suppliers for their unwavering support as well as his expert team for their hard work and dedication.
Mac Plant & Civils Ltd
Riverstick,
Co. Cork.
Telephone: 086 837 9402
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.macplant.ie
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, March 2025, Vol 11 No 3
