The new state-of-the-art National Children’s Hospital (NCH) in Dublin is due for handover soon, and features high-end joinery and cabinetry from Glenn Wood Tullamore, which is one of Ireland’s leading specialist joinery firms.
Delivering excellence in bespoke furniture, joinery and fitout solutions since 1978 from the heart of Ireland, Glenn Wood is proud and delighted to be associated with NCH which is the most significant capital investment project ever undertaken in healthcare in Ireland. Situated on the St James’ Hospital Campus, the building is seven stories high and will comprise 160,000m2 of accommodation.
The Co. Offaly-based company was awarded the main joinery package which included 1,600m2 of timber panelling, over 90 department reception desks, two main reception decks, 60 parent and staff beverage bays, 20 CAMHS bedrooms, over 2,500 IPS panels and the fitting out of 380 inpatient bedrooms, each of which includes a bed for the parent to sleep beside their child.
Glenn Wood worked closely with main contractor BAM Ireland along with the design team to deliver an exceptional high-end project. The contractor was able to do this by using its large manufacturing and storage facility in Tullamore and through its technical team who used BIM before the shovel ever hit the ground to visualise the project, mitigate the risks and improve productivity to deliver high-end joinery with zero risks or faults.
The design concept will give the hospital a strong identity. The colours used are very vibrant, friendly and instantly recognisable to give a warm environment for the patient. Glenn Wood fabricated all of its own solid surfaces inhouse which enabled it to manufacture and install all 90 reception desks within the NCH.
“It was a privilege to be part of the team delivering this hospital for the children of Ireland,” Glenn Wood project manager David Rowe says.
“We are proud and honoured to be associated with the NCH which is the biggest and most high-profile project we have ever undertaken. It will be one of the finest hospitals in the world. Our work there is complete and we’re very pleased with how it has all turned out. Six different colour schemes were used throughout, while each of the 380 inpatient bedrooms feature a unique bespoke sofa bed which allows parents to stay over in comfort with their child.
“We’re also very proud and committed to working with BAM.”
Glenn Wood has been providing specialist bespoke furniture, joinery and fitout solutions in Ireland, the UK and worldwide since it was established by Barney Glennon in 1978. Barney, who received an Outstanding Contribution Award at the 2019 Fit Out Awards for a lifetime achievement to the industry, continues to drive the company forward along with managing director Jim Ryan, financial director Paul Kenny, director Robert Glennon (Barney’s son) and project director Ger Glennon (Barney’s brother).
Glenn Wood employs a 90-strong factory team who are supplemented and supported by around 50 subcontracted fitters and installers.
“Barney started out making and fitting bespoke kitchens before branching into pubs and credit unions. The company has gone from strength to strength over the years and now caters for the commercial, retail, hospitality and healthcare sectors,” David explains.
“We’ve completed projects all over Ireland and the UK, and as far away as Barbados and Haiti. Some of our most high-profile projects in the UK include the Grand Hotel in Birmingham, the famous Oval Cricket Ground and the Shangri-La Hotel in the Shard.”
Glenn Wood boasts an impressive portfolio and client list that includes Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Amazon, An Post, eir, Horizon and Indeed. Previous healthcare projects included fitouts at Dublin Mater Hospital, Crumlin Children’s Hospital, Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick, South Dublin Surgical Hub and St Vincent’s Hospital Dublin.
“We are working continuously within Dublin Airport upgrading all food and beverage areas and also manufactured, supplied and fitted over 100 Jack rooms which are phone and meeting pods, for Google at their Boland’s Mills site. In addition, we recently undertook a significant fitout at TikTok’s Dublin office,” the affable project manager continues.
“We’ve also just completed a bedroom and front-of-house fitout in the Bon Secours Hospital Limerick. Other current / recent fitout projects include A&L Goodbody, Irish Life, Citibank and KPMG, all of which are in Dublin. We’re very busy.”
Glenn Wood enjoys an excellent working relationship with all the main contractors and fitout contractors in Ireland, including BAM, John Sisk & Son, P.J. Hegarty & Sons, Structuretone, Walls Constructions, Flynn’s and Conack. The company’s 90,000 sq. ft. premises in Axis Business Park, Tullamore is one of the largest off-standard manufacturing facilities in the country. Here, your joinery and furniture are created by some of the finest craftsmen who are highly experienced and extremely passionate about their work.
With a passion for design, manufacture and turnkey services, Glenn Wood has the ability to meet all of your project requirements. It is at the forefront of cutting-edge technology and is always looking to make further advances in an ever-changing market. With Glenn Wood, the needs of its clients come first.
As it approaches 50 years in business, Glenn Wood would like to take this opportunity to thank its clients, suppliers and design teams for their continued support as well as its staff and subcontractors for their hard work, dedication and expertise.
Glenn Wood
Axis Business Park,
Clara Road,
Tullamore,
Co. Offaly,
R35 VK03.
Telephone: +353 (0)57 9341285
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.glennwood.ie
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, July 2026, Vol 12 No 7
