Celebrating five years in business, Co. Cavan-based Clankee Construction Building & Development Ltd recently marked the milestone by appearing on the hit RTÉ television programme, ‘Room to Improve’.
Established in March 2021 by Ray O’Reilly, who has accumulated decades of experience and a wealth of knowledge across all spectrums of the construction industry covering residential new builds, home renovations and extensions, shop fit-outs and housing developments, Clankee Construction came to national attention when it was tasked with transforming a modest 1970s bungalow owned by newlyweds Sarah Clarke and Liam Callan in Kells, Co. Meath into their forever home in the third episode of the long-running series.
Presented by architect Dermot Bannon, the programme has become known not just for dramatic before-and-after reveals, but for the often-challenging conversations that arise when budget, design vision and personal priorities collide. This Kells project was no exception, though beneath the on-screen debates lay a familiar local story of commitment, ambition and putting down long-term roots.
Sarah and Liam purchased the bungalow with a clear intention: to create a family home that would serve them well for decades to come. Like many houses built in the 1970s, the property had solid bones, but required extensive modernisation to meet contemporary standards of comfort, energy efficiency and space.
Their budget of €270,000 placed immediate limits on what could realistically be achieved, particularly given rising construction costs. However, the couple were determined to include a fourth bedroom extension, a decision that shaped the entire project and inevitably led to some tough calls along the way.
Viewers saw Dermot Bannon propose a design approach that embraced the character of the original bungalow, including repositioning the kitchen to the front of the house to take advantage of a large window and natural light. He also placed strong emphasis on retrofitting the home to achieve an A-rating.
As is often the case on ‘Room to Improve’, the process involved robust discussion. Sarah and Liam were open about finding it difficult to visualise plans and finishes. Their desire to future-proof the house, particularly through additional bedrooms and bathroom facilities, sometimes ran counter to the architect’s instinct to protect space and design flow.
These moments of disagreement became a talking point among viewers, but they also reflected the reality of any major home renovation. Quantity surveyor Claire Irwin, another familiar face to viewers, played her usual crucial role in keeping track of costs as the project evolved. The finished home, which came to €300,000 after grants, successfully blends modern living with the character of the original bungalow, offering warmth, functionality and personality.
“It was a challenging, but very rewarding experience,” Ray O’Reilly says of being the main contractor on the renovation.
“It has certainly got us noticed beyond our own area and we’ve got a good few enquiries on the back of it. The project commenced last July and was completed in 20 weeks. It would have been completed sooner had we not lost two or three weeks due to deliberations over what windows to go with.
“We enjoyed an excellent working relationship with Dermot, Claire and the clients throughout the renovation. Claire phoned me to ask if we’d be interested in getting involved after speaking to a few architects in the area. It was the first episode of ‘Room to Improve’ to be made in this part of the country.
“I struck up a great rapport with Sarah Clarke in particular. It turned out that she knew relations of mine. Everyone was very happy with the finished product, which was the most important thing.”
Operating out of Clankee, Shercock, Co. Cavan and with its registered address in nearby Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan, Clankee Construction has earned an enviable reputation for high-quality residential new builds, rebuilds, refurbishments, extensions and housing developments. Ray has been involved in construction for more than three decades. As well as running his own building company prior to the last economic crash, he has also worked as a project manager for both Elliott Group and mac-group.
“I’m still working with Elliotts, but decided to start up my own company to see if I could make a go of it and it’s been a case of so far, so good. We began doing groundworks and residential buildings. What really got us going were two social housing projects we did for Cavan County Council in Shercock. We also have the experience and knowledge to carry out commercial projects,” he explains.
Outstanding workmanship, attention to detail, value-for-money and a commitment to working closely with clients to deliver total satisfaction are the hallmarks of Clankee Construction. From concept to completion, Ray and his small but dedicated team are with you every step of the way, ensuring that your new project is designed and built to your specific needs, and that there are no hidden or extra costs involved.
Whether your next project is a new build, extension or renovation, Clankee’s one-stop shop approach will ensure that both the design and building processes are smooth, comfortable and hassle-free. The Co. Cavan company’s reputation for quality construction and 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 design teams and scores of satisfied clients.
By employing highly-skilled tradespeople, working closely with its engineers and architects, and using only the very best building products, this fully-insured and qualified contractor is able to deliver the highest quality construction to its clients.
Clankee Construction uses the same tried and trusted subcontractors, including Colm Connolly Heating & Plumbing, CV Electrical, SKM Groundworks, LC Plastering, BBS Construction and Gerard Crossan Roofing. Its main suppliers are PS Supplies in Lobinstown, O’Connor’s Hardware in Carrickmacross, Rooney’s Home & Hardware in Kells, Hyland Hardware in Ballyhaise, O’Reilly Group in Kingscourt, Snow’s Quarries in Oldcastle, Coral Plant & Agri in Shercock, Kells Hire, Monaghan Hire, CA Hire in Virginia and KR Hire in Carrickmacross.
Clankee is currently undertaking its largest project to date which is a development of 10 new three- and two-bed social houses for Cavan County Council on a site which Ray owned at Lisdrumskeagh in Shercock. Recent / current private projects include new builds in Tyholland, Annyalla and Ardaghey (all in Co. Monaghan), renovations in Cavan Town and Dundalk, and a large house rebuild in Omeath, Co. Louth.
“We pride ourselves on delivering beautiful, spacious and energy-efficient homes. The excellent working relationship we enjoy with our subcontractors, suppliers and designers ensures all jobs run as smoothly as possible,” Ray concludes.
Here’s to the next five years and many more!
Clankee Construction Ltd
Amatino,
1st Floor,
Market Square,
Carrickmacross,
Co. Monaghan.
Telephone: 086 7967109
Email: [email protected]
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, May 2026, Vol 12 No 5
