Twenty-twenty-six marks 15 years since Marlhill Construction Services’ genesis and the client-focused, County Tipperary based building contractor has certainly gone from strength to strength in the decade and a half since its inception. Rather than basking in past glories, however, the team at MCS remain very much focused on the present and the future.
Established in Ardfinnan by Founder and Managing Director Séamus Butler 15 years ago, Marlhill Construction Services is an industry-leading main contractor with an exceptional track record for the consistent delivery of high-quality projects across the commercial, industrial, residential, education, healthcare, retail, leisure and conservation sectors amongst others.
A highly respected construction professional with decades of hands-on industry experience, Séamus Butler founded the company on the principles of quality workmanship, integrity and long-term client relationships — values that continue to underpin Marlhill Construction Services’ approach today. From modest beginnings, he has overseen the company’s steady and sustainable growth into a trusted delivery partner for multi million public and private sector clients across Munster and beyond.
As a traditional family-run building, fit-out and project management company, Marlhill Construction Services leverages a wealth of industry experience and expertise to invariably achieve absolute customer satisfaction on every project undertaken.
Séamus’ leadership philosophy has always centred on doing things the right way, taking a practical and detail-driven approach to project delivery while investing heavily in people, systems and long-term partnerships. Under his direction, Marlhill Construction Services has developed a strong management structure and retained a loyal and highly skilled workforce, many of whom have progressed with him and the company over a number of years.
Down through the years, the Tipperary contractor has consistently exceeded the requirements of private and public sector clients alike, from the Department of Defence and Department of Education to the HSE, Coolmore Stud, the OPW, Mary Immaculate College, various county councils and many more besides.
Marlhill’s portfolio is as varied as it is impressive, with the recent successful delivery of the design and build package for the new state-of-the-art Waterford & Wexford Education Training Board facility in Waterford Industrial Park (an involving change of use project from industrial to further education and apprentice training facility as well as internal alterations to accommodate technical workshops, classrooms, offices and associated facilities) providing a good indication of the scale and scope of works the company can deliver promptly, professionally and to the highest standards pertaining to the construction industry.
Co-Director Jamie Butler, who works closely alongside his father Séamus in leading the business,is delighted that the family business has proven to be so popular for a decade and a half and counting ,agreeing that 15 years is a nice landmark for any company to reach in an industry as competitive and demanding as the construction industry is.
“We’re getting there and we can’t complain – it’s gone well so far,” Jamie told Building Ireland. “It’s nice to hit 15 years – great for everyone involved who have put in a lot of hard work and commitment into getting us to where we are today. It’s brilliant to have grown from where we were when we started out on this journey to where we are now. The challenge now is to make sure we continue to work to the high standards we’re known for, because that’s where the next project comes from.”
The fact that Marlhill Construction Services has grown gradually and sustainably in a controlled and manageable way has been instrumental in their steady rise to prominence as a go-to contractor for public and private clients alike not just in the Premier County but throughout Munster and sometimes beyond.
“We started off relatively small, with two or three men working on small jobs, and we have grown organically to where we are today, with direct staff of 35 plus between 30 or 40 regular subcontractors who are with us all the time,” Jamie continues. “The company is strong now as a result of this organic growth. As we grew, we put the right men in place and made sure we had the right affiliations.
“Another very important thing was that we also moved with the times. The technology that exists now is a lot different to 15 years ago, but you have to embrace the changes. You have to move with the times or else you won’t be able to compete with the other companies out there, because there are a lot of great construction companies and they all work to a very high standard. It’s brilliant to be here competing with them and holding our own.”
The general workload at present breaks down at around 75 per cent public works (for local authorities, schools and colleges, the Defence Forces, Irish Prison Service and a variety of other public bodies) and 25 per cent private jobs (for developers or one-off clients).
“The majority of it is public work. We have established ourselves in that market and shown that we are well capable of delivering those projects,” Jamie adds.
Some ongoing projects at the time of writing included a new carpentry and joinery building in Waterford city for Waterford & Wexford Education Training Board; Ardmore Water Activity Centre and the ongoing Cappoquin Regeneration scheme for Waterford City & County Council; and for Cork County Council the restoration of Youghal Lighthouse with a new viewing deck added.
“We have a nice mixture of works there to keep us busy,” Jamie comments. “We’re also doing a new digital hub in Carrick-on-Suir for Tipperary County Council and have a couple of different projects ongoing with the Irish Defence Forces and Irish Prison Service.”
Marlhill Construction Services has come a long way over the past 15 years and 2026 promises to be another highly productive and successful year for this fantastic family business that has evolved into one of the most innovative and versatile construction companies in the region.
“Our order book is always full but you are always looking down the line at the same time to make sure you have the next one lined up so you can stay ahead,” Jamie concludes. “Fifteen years in, we feel like we have a lot of the heavy lifting done in terms of establishing the company.
“The goal now is to consolidate. We’ll continue to commit to the customers we have and stay where we are in the market. We’ve had 15 very good years under Séamus’ leadership, and that’s down to the hard work and commitment of our employees and long-standing subcontractors. The focus now is on staying relevant and continuing to be a reliable choice for our clients.”
Marlhill Construction Services Ltd.,
Marlhill,
Ardfinnan,
Clonmel,
County Tipperary.
Tel: 052 7466383
Mobile: 087 904 9280
Email: [email protected]
Web: marlhillconstructionservices.ie
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, April 2026, Vol 12 No 4
featured, Marlhill Construction Services
