Galway Contractors Ltd is a highly-regarded family business offering a wide range of domestic construction services to clients across Galway city and county. From new build construction to renovations, extensions and groundworks, the company offers a full, turnkey service that you can rely on.
When David McNamara established Galway Contractors in Craughwell in 1997, he was carrying on a proud family tradition dating back to the 15th century.
“The McNamaras built Bunratty Castle (in Co. Clare) in 1425 before the O’Briens took it off us!” he quips.
“So there is a long history of construction in our family. I’m a ninth-generation builder who served my time with my late uncle John McNamara of McNamara Construction in Kilcolgan. I learned everything there is to know about carpentry, roofing, block-laying and groundworks, and took a particular liking to roofing and groundworks. McNamara Construction is still going strong under the direction of John’s son Luke.
“I was a sole trader for 20 years, during which I spent some time in Arizona, before registering Galway Contractors as a limited company in 2017. We’re a small building firm which my wife Lorraine Tuck and Xain Yong Zhang help me to run. Lorraine is a director and company secretary, while Xain, who is affectionately known as ‘China Joe’, is our longest-serving employee.
“I first met Xain when he was working in a local filling station and we’ve been good friends ever since. Not only is he now running the show with me, he was groomsman at my wedding and is also godfather to one of our kids. He’s a very good and loyal worker who I can’t praise enough.”
Superior workmanship, attention to detail, value-for-money and a commitment to working closely with clients to deliver total satisfaction are the hallmarks of the business, with Health & Safety also being paramount. From concept to completion, David and his team are with you every step of the way, ensuring that your new project is designed and built to your specific needs.
Galway Contractors’ one-stop shop approach ensures that both the design and building processes are smooth, comfortable and hassle-free. The Craughwell contractor’s 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 from local suppliers, this fully-qualified and insured contractor is able to deliver the highest quality construction to its clients.
“We offer an extensive range of contractual services ranging from general home construction to foundation-laying, groundworks, plant hire, wastewater treatment system installations and more,” David says.
“As a long-established family-run business, we have built a reputation for quality and excellence in the field, providing top-tier customer service, quick turnaround times, turnkey services and competitive pricing on all services offered.”
David’s small, but dedicated team are supported and supplemented by the same tried and trusted subcontractors, including KG (Kenneth Gilligan) Plumbing, Austin Clarke Electrical, Bernard Devane Tiling, Noel Burke Painting & Decorating, Shane Donoghue & Brendan Courtney Carpentry, Farrell Dec (Declan Farrell) Carpentry, Peadar Canavan Block-laying, Richard McWalter Block-laying and Lavally Connor Developments (Gerard Lane), who specialise in plastering.
Galway Contractors’ main suppliers are Duane’s Hardware in Kiltullagh, Cooney’s Homevalue in Athenry, Esker Readymix in Athenry, Munster Joinery and Joe Sweeney Joinery in Loughrea. The architects / engineers the company deals with on a regular basis include ETM Consulting Engineers in Oughterard, APS Consulting Engineers in Turloughmore, Brendan Slevin & Associates in Ardrahan, OCC Engineers in Ballindine and Clarke Construction Design in Loughrea.
The contractor has an array of equipment and plant to undertake any groundworks project, including a 13-tonne Komatsu digger, a three-tonne Kubota mini-digger and a six-tonne Thwaites dumper as well as a John Deere tractor and trailer.
Business is booming at the moment as David explains: “We’ve done a lot of conversions lately, including an old school into a house and a bakery into apartments. We’ve also converted garages into apartments and home offices, and completed a number of kitchen and bathroom upgrades along with adaptations for people with a disability.
“We recently completed a two-storey new build in Craughwell and are currently working on a large extension to an existing farmhouse in Oughterard.
“What makes us stand out from other builders is our knowledge, honesty and expertise. We’re very informative and knowledgeable, while our clients can also rely on us for guidance and reassurance. It might be the only time in their lives that they will build a home so it’s important that it’s done right.
“We agree on a price at the start and that doesn’t change. We also pride ourselves on being a one-stop shop that can take on the full build. But as John McNamara used to say, ‘you’re only as good as your last job’.”
The affable managing director adds: “By using high-quality materials and advanced techniques, we ensure a reliable, fast and top-quality service. As a full-service construction contractor, our team takes care of all elements of your construction project for you, drawing plans, laying foundations, material sourcing, labour sourcing and adding finishing touches where required.”
As Galway Contractors continues to go from strength to strength, David and Lorraine would like to take this opportunity to thank their customers, suppliers, subcontractors and design teams for their loyalty and support. They are also grateful to their children Maeve (17), Sean (16), Sadhbh (15) and Manus (12) for their support and understanding.
Galway Contractors Ltd
Ganty,
Craughwell,
Co. Galway,
H91 HKD0.
Telephone: 087 290 7394
Email: [email protected]
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, March 2026, Vol 12 No 3
