Founded in 2011 and based in County Donegal, ACA Construction has grown into a highly respected civil engineering and construction firm, with a strong reputation for delivering industry-leading projects across the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. Building Ireland headed northwest to meet up with founder and managing director, Anthony Gallagher.
Over the past 14 years since, ACA Construction has built a solid reputation for excellence, consistently delivering high-quality civil engineering and construction services, ensuring that each completed project meets the most exacting standards.
With nearly four decades of experience in the construction industry across Ireland and the UK, Anthony Gallagher leads the company with hands-on expertise in groundworks, concrete, building works, demolition, refurbishment, new builds, and extensions. One of ACA’s standout specialties is the prompt and professional delivery of immaculate ICF (Insulated Concrete Form) homes.
Having invested years of hard work to establish the business, Anthony is proud of the recognition that ACA Construction now enjoys.
“It takes about ten or twelve years to reach the point where people start calling you,’’ the amiable Donegal civil engineer and contractor notes. “We’ve never really advertised – it’s all grown through word of mouth.”
In recent years ACA Construction has become particularly known for its ICF homes, with a growing portfolio of successful projects stretching from County Donegal to Slane in County Meath:
“We focus mainly on new builds now, especially ICF homes. They are fantastic and we are committed to them going forward. We work with both Amvic and Castleforms systems and they are performing really well. I enjoy building them and our clients are delighted with the finished product.”
The benefits of modern methods of construction are boundless – but what does Anthony like most about ICF homes?
“There are many advantages to ICF homes. They are cleaner, tidier and faster to build. Plus, I have full control over the process, which is crucial. If we say we are going to be on-site in four weeks, then we will be there in four weeks’’.
Though still relatively new to the northwest, ICF homes are gaining traction, and Anthony believes they offer a superior alternative to timber frame or block construction. ACA has already completed over ten ICF homes, with more underway.
The growing list of satisfied customers speaks for itself! “Clients just love them,” he enthuses. “They all say it’s the most comfortable home they’ve lived in. The energy efficiency is excellent, with U-values as low as 0.16, and they offer great airtightness and soundproofing… just a very comfortable and warm home’’.
While residential projects remain a core focus, ACA construction also undertakes significant industrial work. Their client list includes Seagate Technology Ireland, Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Gallagher and McKinney (GMK) Engineering, MIM Engineering, and various domestic clients.
“Seagate is our biggest industrial client,” Anthony explains. “We’ve worked with them since the beginning. Completing numerous civil and building projects. We understand their standards and consistently deliver to meet them.’’ One current Seagate project involves the construction of a new CO2 generating plant for BOC Gas.
Despite his engineering background, Anthony is not a shirt and tie guy and remained deeply involved on-site. “I’m very hands-on. I don’t cut corners— I believe in doing the job right the first time. It’s better for both the client and I when work is completed to the highest standard from the outset. Once I’ve snagged and signed off a site, there are no issues.”
ACA also collaborates closely with architectural firms such as Cullinane Steele, Adam Leadley at ALArchitects and McCullagh Architecture and Surveying all based in Co. Donegal. They have built a strong professional relationship with these practices built on trust and quality.
Anthony’s journey in construction began at 17, working on the sites in England during the summer holidays. His early experience in shuttering carpentry laid the foundation for a career built on practical knowledge and dedication. After returning to Ireland, he pursued a civil engineering degree and eventually launched ACA construction: “It’s been a long road, but we’re making great progress.”
Today, ACA construction employs a core team of five, plus Anthony, supported by a reliable network of subcontractors. The company operates its own fleet of machinery. Including diggers, teleporters, tractors and trailers. Based in Stranorlar, ACA has earned a reputation for exceptional workmanship – something Anthony values deeply: “Your name is everything. We’ve seen the impact of the defective block crisis, and we’ve completed one full mica remediation project with more in the pipeline.’’
ACA is a proud family business, with Anthony’s sons Christopher and Anthony Jr. Actively involved:
‘’They’re helping drive the business forward. We’re looking to expand our commercial work alongside residential. We’ve rebranded and relaunched our website and we’re ready to grow.’’
ACA Construction,
Drumboe Lower,
Stranorlar,
County Donegal.
Tel: 074 9130019
Mobile: 087 2741474/086 1984266
Email: [email protected]
Web: acaconstruction.ie
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, Winter 2025, Vol 11 No 14
