O’Broc ICF Construction is a leading ICF installer in the West of Ireland specialising in Castleforms insulated rafts, ICF walls, roof structure and roof finishes. The Turloughmore, Co. Galway-based contractor’s modern construction solution epitomises durability and energy efficiency.
Insulated Concrete Formwork (ICF) is an increasingly popular method of building construction using lightweight and hollow insulation forms that fit together and are then filled with concrete. Once set, the concrete becomes a high-strength structure and the formwork remains in place as thermal insulation.
A building constructed using the Castleforms ICF system will achieve far higher thermal, sound and fire performance standards than traditional construction methods such as block or timber frame, and at a much lower cost for comparable performance than any other building system available today. A house built with ICF systems will easily meet the building regulation’s requirements for air-tightness, junction thermal bridging minimisation and U-Value needed for an A3-rated home as standard.
Castleforms is a manufacturer of high-quality Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) insulated products and systems that are used in the new build and retrofit construction sectors. The company manufactures and distributes two insulated construction systems that utilise EPS, namely Raft Therm and ICF Therm.
Raft Therm is a NSAI certified insulated foundation system used in the construction of residential homes and commercial buildings. Reduced cold bridging and exceptional U values as low as 0.1W/m²K are achieved by wrapping the sides and underneath of the concrete foundation and ground floor in a continuous layer of high density Expanded Polystyrene (EPS).
ICF Therm is a leading ICF system offering a proven alternative to traditional building methods. As a Modern Method of Construction (MMC), it ensures an exceptional thermal performance and enables a fast, efficient build with minimal mechanical equipment on site. ICF Therm can be used with Raft Therm, further improving the thermal performance.
ICF Therm is a cost-effective EPS ICF block available in a range of wall thicknesses, providing excellent performance and value to any construction project. The combination of its interlocking system and reversible block pattern makes for a fast and easy installation, while considerably reducing job site waste. The wide range of insulation thicknesses and concrete core sizes allows for limitless design possibilities.
A carpenter by trade, Cathal Badger set up O’Broc ICF Construction in 2019 after returning from London – where he worked in shuttering – and completing an ICF installation course at Castleforms’ head office in Portlaoise. The course covered a wide range of topics relating to ICF installation, from planning and preparation to ICF wall assembly and reinforcement. It armed Cathal with the knowledge and expertise needed to excel as an ICF installer in the one-off residential build sector.
“It has been a case of so far, so good. We’re very busy with ICF builds,” he says.
“We specialise in raft to roof, insulated raft, ICF walls, roofing and extensions. We mainly build beautiful bespoke homes up to roof level and leave the internal works for others. We cover all of Connacht and surrounding counties. We currently have two projects in Turloughmore, one in Ruan in Co. Clare, another in Barna, Co. Galway and three in Co. Mayo – Crossmolina, Castlebar and Charlestown.
“People are becoming more familiar with ICF construction which has many advantages over traditional construction methods. One of the big advantages of ICF is that it’s about 50% faster than traditional methods. It eliminates the need for block layers, who are in extremely short supply at the moment, and there are no hold-ups caused by wet weather, which can often be an issue in this part of the country.
“ICF also provides superior thermal and sound insulation, air tightness, fire safety and structural strength, while SEAI grants are also available for external wall insulation aimed at boosting thermal efficiency.”
Outstanding workmanship, value-for-money, an unwavering commitment to Health & Safety and working closely with clients to deliver total satisfaction are the hallmarks of O’Broc ICF Construction. From concept to completion, Cathal and his team are with you every step of the way, ensuring that your new project is designed and built to your specific needs and to the highest standard.
Whether your next project is a new build or extension, O’Broc ICF Construction’s one-stop shop approach will ensure that both the design and building processes are smooth, comfortable and hassle-free. The Co. Galway contractor’s reputation for high quality construction and ability to complete projects on time and within the agreed budget is borne out by the high volume of repeat business and referrals it receives from design teams and satisfied customers.
By employing highly-skilled people, working closely with subcontractors, engineers and architects, and using only the very best building products, this fully-insured company is able to deliver projects that not only meet, but exceed expectations.
Cathal is joined in the business by eight direct employees who are his greatest asset. His main suppliers are Castleforms, Roofing Direct and Flynn’s of Lackagh Topline, while he enjoys a close working relationship with Larry Costello of LM Costello Construction in Mountmellick, Co. Laois.
As O’Broc ICF Construction continues to go from strength to strength, Cathal would like to take this opportunity to thank his clients and suppliers for their continued support as well as his staff for their hard work, dedication and expertise.
Footnote: Cathal is hosting an ICF open house on February 22 and 23 in Turloughmore. To book an appointment, email [email protected]
O’Broc ICF Construction
Turloughmore,
Co. Galway.
Telephone: 087 655 2997
Email: [email protected]
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, May 2025, Vol 11 No 5
featured, O’Broc ICF Construction
