Established in 2010, Monami Construction has steadily built a reputation as one of Ireland’s most dynamic and innovative building contractors. With a growing portfolio of complex projects and a strong regional presence, the company has evolved from a small start-up into a major player in the construction sector.
Its recent triumph at the Irish Concrete Society Awards, however, marks a defining milestone—one that highlights not only technical excellence, but also the collaborative ethos at the heart of its success.
Building Ireland recently spoke with Director Trevor Cavanagh, who has been with the company since its inception and has witnessed its transformation first-hand.
“It started off as a small company and we grew year on year. We turned over €140m last year, so the team and the company are growing year on year. We’re quite happy where we’re at,” he stated.
Today, the company employs 110 staff across a wide range of disciplines, including project management, contract management, quantity surveying, estimating and finance. This multidisciplinary structure has enabled Monami to take on increasingly complex and large-scale developments, a capability that was central to its award-winning project at the University of Limerick.
The project in question—the new UL Student Centre—has quickly become a landmark development. Commencing in August 2024 and completed in March 2026, the building comprises a 3,529 square metre, four-storey structure over a basement, complete with a landscaped roof garden and state-of-the-art performance and event spaces.
Among its standout features is a 230-seat auditorium with retractable seating, designed to host a wide range of events. Positioned prominently adjacent to the Stables Complex and the Glucksman Library, the centre represents a significant addition to the university’s campus.
Monami Construction was appointed as the main contractor for this ambitious development and ultimately delivered a project that would earn both the Building Category Award and the Overall Award at the prestigious Irish Concrete Society Awards. The dual recognition underscores the quality, innovation and collaboration demonstrated throughout the project lifecycle—from initial design development through to final execution.
Reflecting on the achievement, Trevor Cavanagh does not understate the challenges involved.
“We’re incredibly proud of it, to be honest,” he said. “It was a difficult job in many ways, just the complexity of it. There was a lot going on there between all the different elements.
Indeed, the project demanded significant design input and problem-solving from the Monami team.
“There was an awful lot of design development on our side that took a lot of work from our team. So it was great to see it acknowledged because it was up against a lot of good projects as well.”
The recognition was not unexpected, however. As the project progressed, it became clear to those involved that it stood apart from typical developments.
“As you’re going through a project like this, sometimes you realise it’s different and that this is a special project,” Cavanagh noted. “To understand the complexity of it and be involved in the problem solving, that’s when you realise that you’re actually doing something a little bit different, a little bit special and more than your standard project.”
That sense of distinction was reinforced on awards night, where the competition was particularly strong.
“There were some really, really impressive projects,” he recalled. “That made our win all the sweeter because the standard of projects that we were up against—they were really impressive. So it made the win all the better.”
Out of 13 projects in the category, Monami’s work stood out, a testament to the collective effort of all involved.
Cavanagh is quick to emphasise that the award is not just a reflection of Monami’s contribution, but of a wider collaborative effort.
“It’s a credit to everyone. It’s a credit to UL and the architect because they had the vision to design and commit to a project like it. From our point of view, it was about delivering on their vision of the project.”
This emphasis on partnership and shared goals is a recurring theme in Monami’s approach to construction.
The company’s ethos centres on building strong relationships and adopting a solution-driven mindset. According to Cavanagh, this philosophy is more than just a talking point—it is embedded in the company’s day-to-day operations.
“The company has an ethos and it’s really all about building relationships. We put an awful lot of emphasis on a solution-based approach and it’s not just a buzzword. It’s about transferring that ethos down on to the ground.”
In an industry where challenges are inevitable, Monami’s proactive approach to problem-solving has proven to be a key differentiator.
“Every construction project that we undertake as contractors, there’s always going to be an issue and problem to be solved,” he explained. “For us, what we’d like to do is when that problem occurs, we figure out how do we deal with it? We try to deal with it proactively.”
This mindset not only helps to keep projects on track, but also fosters trust among clients and design teams.
“If we see a problem, we try to come with a solution that will work for all parties and I think when clients and design teams see that approach, they tend to say that this is the type of company we like to work with.”
This commitment to collaboration and problem-solving has translated into strong client relationships and repeat business—an important factor in the company’s continued growth. It is also evident in the diverse range of projects currently underway across Ireland.
Monami operates on a regional basis, with offices in Galway (HQ), Limerick and Dublin, allowing it to effectively manage projects across the mid-west and the greater Dublin area.
In Galway, the company is nearing completion on a major student accommodation development on Queen Street, just off Eyre Square. The nine-storey building will provide 345 beds and represents a significant addition to the city’s student housing stock. A second student accommodation project in Westside, comprising two blocks of six to seven storeys and delivering approximately 240 beds, is also progressing well.
The company is also active in the healthcare sector, with a €25 million nursing home project in Salthill underway for repeat client Bartra.
In Limerick, Monami is completing another nursing home for the same client, an 80-bed facility valued at approximately €16 million, which is currently at the testing and commissioning stage.
Residential development is another key area of focus. In Limerick, the company has recently commenced work on the Ardhu Ryan project on the Ennis Road, which will deliver 95 apartments across three blocks. Meanwhile, in Dublin, Monami is engaged in a range of commercial and hospitality projects, including a 10-storey extension on Cardiff Lane, enabling works for a Premier Inn hotel in Sandyford, and extension works for Cassidy’s Hotel. A further hotel development on Capel Street adds to an already busy pipeline.
Despite this breadth of activity, the success of the University of Limerick Student Centre project stands out as a defining achievement. It not only showcases Monami’s technical capabilities, but also reinforces its reputation for delivering high-quality, innovative construction solutions. The Irish Concrete Society Awards recognition serves as an endorsement from industry peers and highlights the company’s ability to compete—and excel—at the highest level.
Looking ahead, Monami Construction appears well-positioned to build on this momentum. With a strong team, a clear ethos and a proven track record, the company continues to expand its footprint while maintaining the values that have driven its success to date. As Cavanagh and his colleagues reflect on their recent accolades, there is a clear sense that this is just one chapter in an ongoing story of growth, innovation and achievement.
In an increasingly competitive construction landscape, the ability to deliver complex projects to the highest standards is what sets leading companies apart.
For Monami Construction, the recognition earned at the Irish Concrete Society Awards is not just a moment of celebration—it is a validation of years of hard work, a testament to the strength of its team, and a signal of even greater things to come.
Monami Construction
Head Office:
Unit 12
Briarhill Business Park
Ballybrit
Co. Galway
H91 HH76
Phone: +353 (0) 91 876312
Fax: +353 (0) 91 876476
Email: [email protected]
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, August 2026, Vol 12 No 8
