Based in Spiddal (An Spidéal), Co. Galway, Fenconn Developments is a new company boasting a wealth of experience in the construction industry.
While Fenconn Developments has only been trading since January 2024, its directors Cathair Conneely and Diarmaid Feeney are from good building stock who had regularly worked together before combining forces with this business, which is an acronym of their surnames.
“We used to team up together so it was a natural transition,” Cathair says.
“We’re both carpenters by trade and I’m also a civil engineer. We both come from families that are well-known for quality construction in the area and are eager to not uphold, but build on that tradition. My late father Gerry ran his own business, Conneely Construction, for about 15 years, and Diarmaid’s father, Pete (Peter), ran Fenco for 45 years before Diarmaid took over from him eight years ago.”
Diarmaid, who is a former finalist in the National Skills Carpentry Competition, adds: “In many ways, Fenconn Developments is a continuation of those businesses. We specialise in one-off new homes, extensions, refurbishments and reroofing just as they did. And we have inherited the same clientele and added to it over the past 18 months or so.”
With an established customer-base and proven pedigree in construction, it’s no surprise to hear that Fenconn Developments has hit the ground running. Providing a wide range of building services to the residential and commercial sectors, Cathair and Diarmaid have been inundated with work in Spiddal and the surrounding area.
“All of our work is 10 minutes left and right of the house,” Diarmaid explains.
“We cover an area from Knocknacarra on the outskirts of Galway city to Casla and Carraroe out west. Most of our work is concentrated in the Connemara Gaeltacht and is secured through word of mouth. I’m still playing GAA with Micheal Breathnach and Cathair used to play for Spiddal, so that’s good for business too. Because we’re well-known locally, we don’t need to advertise.”
Superior workmanship, attention to detail, value-for-money and a commitment to working closely with clients to deliver total satisfaction are the hallmarks of Fenconn Developments. Health & Safety is also paramount. From concept to completion, Cathair, Diarmaid and their exceptional team are with you every step of the way, ensuring that your new project is designed and built to your specific needs, and that there are no hidden or extra costs involved.
Fenconn Developments’ one-stop shop approach ensures that both the design and building processes are smooth, comfortable and hassle-free. The Connemara contractor’s reputation for high spec’ work 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 scores of satisfied clients.
By employing highly-skilled people, working closely with design teams and using only the very best building products, this fully insured contractor is able to deliver the highest quality construction to its clients.
Fenconn Developments’ small but dedicated team, which includes Cathair’s brother Derek (who is also a carpenter), is supported and supplemented by tried and tested subcontractors such as Paul Folan Plumbing, Patrick Lynch Electrical, McIntyre Plant Hire, Creggan Plant Hire and John Lockhart Plant Hire.
The building firm’s main suppliers are Nioclas Ó Conchubhair Homevalue Hardware in Casla, McDonogh’s Hardware in Galway and T O’Higgins & Co in Galway.
“We enjoy an excellent relationship with all of our clients and suppliers as well as the architects and engineers we deal with,” Cathair says.
“All work is carried out and completed to the highest standards. We build beautiful, structurally sound and energy efficient homes, the standard size of which is about 2,800 sq. ft. The houses seem to be getting bigger and bigger all the time!
“However, we probably have a preference for refurbishments and extensions on the basis that there is less paperwork and red tape involved. There is a definite trend in this part of the country towards buying old houses, extending them and doing them up.”
Commercial projects are also a specialty of Fennconn Developments. To this end, they have carried out works at Standún’s gift shops in Spiddal and Oughterard, and Coláiste Chamuis in Rossaveal. Coláiste Chamuis is a hive of activity in the summer when it delivers Irish language Gaeltacht courses to secondary school children.
“We renovated Standún’s Oughterard shop and carry out regular maintenance works to their shop in Spiddal. This led to us doing up an old coach house for the owner’s daughter. Frank and Sean Denvir of Coláiste Chamuis are also valued customers of ours. We recently purchased two sites and have secured planning permission for commercial use on one of them. We’ll see where that leads to,” Diarmaid says.
As Fenconn Developments continues to go from strength to strength, Cathair and Diarmaid would like to take this opportunity to thank their clients and suppliers for their continued support as well as their staff and subcontractors for their hard work, dedication and expertise.
Fenconn Developments
Sidhean,
Spiddal,
Co. Galway.
Telephone: 087 293 0101 (Cathair) / 087 221 1999 (Diarmaid)
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, September, Vol 11 No 10
featured, Fenconn Developments
