Newtown Developments is a traditional, second-generation family-run general construction company that has been delivering outstanding new build, extension and renovation solutions in West Cork for more than two decades. Building Ireland headed south west to Glengarriff and caught up with Thomas Harrington to find out more.
Specialising in private residential new builds and refurbishments, Newtown Developments Ltd. is built on solid cornerstones of quality, service and tradition. This industry-leading family business has forged a stellar reputation as a construction contractor of choice since it was established by brothers Jimmy and Tim Harrington in 2004.
A wonderful portfolio of projects has been delivered in the meantime and, twenty-one years on – with Jimmy’s sons Thomas, James and Donagh now on board – Newtown Developments continues to go from strength to strength with the Harringtons’ unbeatable building services in greater demand than ever.
A carpenter by trade, Thomas Harrington joined the family business full time in 2019, after serving his apprenticeship and he’s delighted to report that these are exciting times at Newtown Developments:
“In fairness, we are very busy and that’s usually a good marker of where a business is at. The bulk of our work at the moment is renovations and extensions – we get a lot of those – and we also take on new builds.”
Speaking of new builds, 2025 is a landmark year for Newtown Developments as in January they began work on an exciting new multiunit housing development in Bantry, where quality is going to be prioritised over speed. “There will be 26 units in total,” Thomas reveals. “We’re going to take our time and do it slowly and do as much of the work as we can ourselves.
“If we can get six-eight of the houses completed to a turnkey finish by the end of this year we’ll be happy with that. The plan is to do it in phases and take small steps.”
While it’s not the first time Newtown Developments has taken on a multiunit development this nevertheless represents a significant departure for the business: “When Jimmy and Tim started out, they did two housing developments in the beginning – that was the original purpose of setting up the business, at the tail-end of the Celtic Tiger. However, since myself, James, Donagh and Jimmy have been involved together in the day-to-day running of the business, this is new territory for us.”
As a small family business operating in a sparsely populated area, Newtown Developments relies on its hard earned reputation to keep the wheels turning, through repeat business and word of mouth. Thomas states: “I don’t know what exactly the population of Glengarriff is, but it’s no more than 750. So it’s a small area and we’re very lucky to have a great group of core clients that we get steady work from every year.
“When you’re in a small area like this, where everybody knows everybody, you simply have to produce quality workmanship and word of mouth means everything. There’s no other way to do it. We’re still getting work from some of the same people going right back to the beginning of the business – when they keep asking you back then that’s a good sign that you are doing something right.”
The traits, qualities and values of a traditional family business are paramount at Newtown Developments, resulting in a personal touch every time and invariably absolute customer satisfaction. “We’re very lucky in that respect to have so many family members involved because it ensures that everybody is working towards the same goal,” Thomas continues.
“Donagh and Tim are in every day on the housing development, while myself and Jimmy take care of the house renovations – there are generally three of those ongoing at any given time. We’re finishing up one at the minute and will start a new one immediately. We have all our own diggers, dumpers, loadalls, etc, and James deals with the plant hire side of the business. He worked as a driver himself and having him looking after the machinery side of things works out very well.”
Meanwhile, having their own machinery means the Harringtons can take care of all civils and groundworks onsite themselves, which speeds up the programme and results in a more efficient and value-added service. “With our own machinery, etc., once we are on a project – bar the specialist trades of electricians and plumbers – we maintain complete control of all other aspects of the work in-house. When you are over everything yourself, the work tends to be finished on time and to the highest standards, which is exactly what we aim for.”
Including family members, the team at Newtown Developments currently comprises eleven men. This includes a couple of labourers, a machinery operator and a couple of carpentry apprentices serving their time under Thomas – one starting out on the apprenticeship path and the other just about to finish serving his time. The firm also has an excellent relationship with local engineers.
All things considered, the business is in a good place at present, but Thomas knows only too well that complacency is not an option going forward:
“Things are going well and – the housing development aside – we are probably booked up until the end of the year in the renovations and one-offs side,” he concludes. “There aren’t too many weeks left in 2025 where we can take on additional work.
“That gives you a bit of security and you know that if the phone doesn’t ring for a few days the pressure is off, but this is a fickle industry and things can change very fast, so you take nothing for granted. When you have eleven lads, you have to generate work for all eleven of them every day. That brings its own pressure but, as I said earlier, we are so lucky to have some great repeat clients locally who give us a good few weeks’ work guaranteed every year and that’s both priceless and very much appreciated.”
This is what tends to happen when your reputation for excellence precedes you after decades of exceptional craftsmanship, and the second generation is determined to make sure that Newtown Developments continues to be the private housing contractor of choice within the greater Glengarriff area.
Newtown Developments Ltd.,
Glengarriff,
County Cork.
Tel: 086 8364677
Email: [email protected]
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, October 2025, Vol 11 No 11
featured, Newtown Developments
