Excelling in the smooth and professional delivery of healthcare projects, Mulcahy Construction is the HSE’s building and fit out contractor of choice in the South East and has also developed a stellar reputation across the commercial, industrial, residential and education sectors. Building Ireland touched base with father and son Joe and David Mulcahy to get an update on this industry-leading County Tipperary headquartered operation.
Since its inception 28 years ago, Mulcahy Construction has developed an outstanding reputation as one of Ireland’s premier design and build contractors, regularly delivering unrivalled solutions for a wide range of repeat customers across the public and private sectors. Working hand in hand with the HSE, Department of Education, OPW and local authorities as well as countless private residential, commercial and industrial clients, this outstanding family-run business boasts a proven track record for invariably delivering outstanding quality and design safely, on time and within budget.
At the time of writing, Mulcahy Construction were active on three large healthcare projects – namely Phase Three at Clogheen Hospital, a new Community Nursing Unit in Clonmel and an extension at South Tipp General Hospital – as well as a variety of other commercial and residential works.
To say that the Mulcahy’s are in big demand might be an exercise in understatement… “We would have up to 16 or 17 live projects running at any given time,” confirms David Mulcahy, eldest son of director Joe, who established the family business alongside his wife Edel in 1992. David, Joe and Edel look after the day-to-day running of the business, with help from a strong office and site management team. “We have excellent staff both in the office and on site, as well as good subcontractors”.
“We’re in the process of expanding and we’re always trying to add something new every year to improve the business, between investing in new technology and taking on new challenges.”
Having already successfully delivered the first two phases, Mulcahy Construction began Phase Three at St Theresa’s Hospital Clogheen in October and will be finished in time for Christmas. “This project comprises the renovation of an existing seven-bedroom unit, stripping it out and putting in a host of new facilities as well a total new mechanical and electrical system,” says Joe. “It’s a tight deadline but we’re on site six days a week and it’s all systems go there.”
Previous work undertaken at Clogheen Hospital comprised renovating the existing hospital and the construction of a new building, while a link corridor connecting the new building to the existing hospital was also constructed. The new building contained one new hospice suite, two new single beds and three two-bed suites. Parts of the existing hospital was also renovated, including the four-bed male ward, and a new energy centre was built as well as a medical gas unit.
Of course, with the Covid-19 crisis showing little sign of abating, these are challenging times to be working both in construction and particularly in healthcare. To this end, Mulcahy Construction already had very robust health and safety procedures in place and have updated these accordingly to become completely Covid-compliant. Vastly experienced in working safely and efficiently in live environments, their team bring professionalism and exceptional workmanship to bear on every project undertaken.
Meanwhile, Mulcahy Construction are also currently carrying out the enabling works ahead of the construction of a new two-storey community nursing unit / residential care unit comprising 50 en-suite bedrooms with associated resident accommodation at Glenconnor Road / Western Road, Clonmel, adjacent to South Tipperary General Hospital. This work includes diverting and upgrading existing services and constructing a new substructure to get everything ready for the new building to go to tender. The work is on track for completion in February.
Mulcahy Construction are also on site at South Tipperary General Hospital, carrying out substructure works for a new office block which is being prefabricated off-site and they are competing the refurbishment of a listed building at St Claire’s, including the refurb of the ground floor into offices for the staff.
“The HSE would probably account for around 30% of our overall work,” Joe notes. “They have always been great to deal with. There is a mutual trust and respect there. We’ve done a lot of work with them over the years and we’re delighted to do so.”
A couple of other landmark commercial projects Mulcahy Construction are currently working on include Clonmel Credit Union and Cashel Place Hotel. Clonmel Credit Union comprises the complete refurbishment of the external façade and interior of a live building, while the prestigious five-star Cashel Palace Hotel represents a Grade One conservation project refurbishing the famous 300-year-old main house and outbuildings. Mulcahy have 160 men on site at the time of writing and this number will rise to 200 in the New Year as work gathers pace to have the new hotel opened for September, 2021.
Originally built in 1734 and steeped in history, this former Archbishop’s grand country house became a hotel in the early 1960s. The new Cashel Palace Hotel will offer 42 unique bedrooms and new additions will include a magnificent ballroom and indulgent spa overlooking the gardens.
A few years ago, Mulcahy Construction also completed the refurbishment of the iconic nearby Mikey Ryan’s Bar & Kitchen in Cashel, again to a very high standard. The project consisted of the restoration and refurbishment of a listed building, including the construction of a new extension to the rear, all of which was completed in under seven months.
While conservation work on listed buildings is painstaking and presents obvious challenges, it’s work that the team at Mulcahy Construction embraces: “These are always good projects to get,” says David. “Not only are they nice to have on your portfolio but they are unique and challenging and you learn a lot from them. We also refurbished a three-storey existing house in Fethard, which was built in 1780 – another Grade One conservation project and again a lovely one to work on.”
Providing a personal and professional service has been key to Mulcahy Construction’s growth and success over the years. “It’s all about being hands-on, on site and being available to the client all the time,” says Joe. “We talk to people and we are always there for them when they need to discuss anything.”
“You have to be hands-on and you have to be there for your clients when they have a question,” David continues. “You have to go out of your way to make sure the client is satisfied at all times.”
Benefiting from a large volume of repeat business and positive referrals though word of mouth, Mulcahy Construction are currently also working on four high-end private homes in Tipperary, ranging in size from 3,500 square feet to 8,000 square feet. “It’s important to build up relationships with people, tell them how it is and be up front with them. We’re now doing projects for sons and daughters of people that we would have built or refurbished for in the past.”
Going forward, David says the company will continue to move with the times and he believes further growth is possible.
Mulcahy Construction Ltd.,
Powerstown,
Clonmel,
County Tipperary.
Tel: 052 612 4599
Fax: 052 618 2482
Email: [email protected]
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, February, Vol 7 No 2
