Newtownstewart McKinney is delighted to be a finalist in both the Irish Construction Excellence (ICE) and Building & Architect of the Year Awards 2026.
The exceptional family-run building and civil engineering firm – which has offices in Ireland, the UK and Canada – has been shortlisted in the ‘Residential Private up to €30m’ category at the ICE Awards for Pollan Bay Developments / Ballyliffin Beach Houses and has also earned a nomination for ‘Building of the Year – Net Zero / Passive House’ at the Building & Architect of the Year Awards for Moville Passive House.
“We’re thrilled to be up for two awards. It means a lot and is great recognition for our team,” Newtownstewart McKinney managing director Henry McKinney enthuses.
“Ballyliffin Beach Houses, located on the stunning coastline of Ballyliffin in Co. Donegal, is a project we’re incredibly proud of. The development has been thoughtfully designed to complement its spectacular natural surroundings while delivering high-quality homes.
“This nomination is a testament to the dedication of our team and partners, and to the vision behind creating a residential scheme that blends exceptional craftsmanship with one of Ireland’s most breathtaking coastal settings. We were also shortlisted for an ICE Award last year, so that’s obviously very pleasing.”
Henry adds: “To be nominated in ‘Building of the Year’ for our Passive House project in Moville is another great honour. It reflects the hard work and commitment of our team, along with the trust placed in us by our client and design partners.
“This Passive House was delivered with a clear focus on energy performance, comfort and long-term quality. The project demonstrates how careful planning and strong collaboration can result in a home that meets demanding environmental standards while remaining practical and welcoming.”
“We’re thankful to everyone who made these projects a success and look forward to both awards ceremonies.”
Ballyliffin Beach Houses are a high spec’ Schneider smart home development overlooking the Donegal coastline and Ballyliffin Blue Flag Beach on the site of the former Pollan Bay Hotel. It consists of one luxury smart home (450m2) and to the rear, three elegant buildings containing four beach houses (480m2). The initial program allowed for a timeline of 72 weeks and a budget of €4m to complete the project. Primary concern focused on completing the four beach houses so that they could be released to the holiday rental market to provide income.
Through a combination of careful planning, efficient construction methods and practical know-how, the project was delivered on time and to a high standard. The use of prefabricated timber frames significantly reduced time on site, lowered costs for the client, and ensured consistent build quality. Project manager Brian Grant completed a PassivHaus training course and applied his knowledge of high-performance building standards to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability across the development. Combined with the team’s strong local knowledge and hands-on approach, this ensured that both the private residence and the rental units were constructed to an exceptionally high standard.
Newtownstewart McKinney’s design team, contractors and supply chain partners, who were drawn predominantly from the local area, were engaged early and integrated into the programme to streamline delivery and maintain clear communication channels. The main contractor also partnered with Partel, who provided on-site technical support and training workshops for tradesmen, particularly around airtightness taping, ensuring knowledge transfer and quality workmanship at every level. This approach not only enhanced performance, but also strengthened community ties by using a fully local workforce and suppliers.
The project incorporated advanced renewable technologies, including MVHR systems, air-source heat pumps, and solar panels, reducing operational energy demand and delivering long-term value. The client valued sustainability and efficiency so, in collaboration with Schneider Electric Ireland, Newtownstewart McKinney implemented their ‘EcoStruxure’ platform into the project’s electrical installation.
This is the first residential project of its kind in Ireland to utilise this system and allows the client to view and monitor the various electrical consumptions across the site, ranging from lighting and mechanical plant to sockets, kitchen appliances and EV chargers. Schneider’s KNX system was also integrated into the lighting controls for the main home. This provided the client with a flexible and fully addressable lighting system specifically tailored to their requirement. Targeted training sessions on airtightness detailing and building envelope performance ensured high-quality finishes and improved thermal efficiency. Lean Construction principles supported efficient sequencing and resource management, while the standardisation of the Beach Houses allowed works to be repeated quickly without compromising quality.
Moville Passive House is a stunning architectural home nestled in the mouth of Lough Foyle and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Binevenagh Mountain, Benone Beach and Portrush. This 5,000 sq. ft. architectural masterpiece is a harmonious blend of cutting-edge design, innovation and sustainability. Externally, the house is a seamless integration of glass, steel, wood and concrete, creating a structure that feels both robust and ethereal. Internally, floor-to-ceiling windows encase the living spaces, offering uninterrupted panoramic views and allowing natural light to flood every room.
The exterior is marked by clean lines and minimalist design, with cantilevered balconies providing dramatic viewpoints and shaded outdoor spaces. Inside, the open-concept floor plan flows effortlessly where custom cabinetry and state-of-the-art technology make a bold statement.
Being Passivhaus, the home is based around the principle of reducing heating demand to a very low level through a fabric first design rather than relying on renewables. The house features a highly-insulated envelope, utilising eco-friendly materials and breathable wall systems to ensure optimal thermal performance.
The design includes a green roof, solar panels and a ground-source heat pump, reducing reliance on external energy sources. This passive house is a testament to how innovative design and eco-conscious engineering can create a home that’s both beautiful and environmentally responsible.
A core challenge was balancing the strict performance requirements of Passivhaus construction with a commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility. Many Passivhaus-certified components are specialist products with limited supply chains.
Where possible, Newtownstewart McKinney prioritised local and regional suppliers to reduce embodied carbon, support the local economy and strengthen community ties. This required careful assessment to ensure that locally-sourced materials met performance criteria, particularly in relation to insulation systems, airtightness products and structural elements. The successful integration of these materials demonstrates that high-performance construction and responsible sourcing can co-exist. Local consultants such as DMAC, Birney & Co Architecture, JSC Engineering and Velvet Interiors contributed their expertise in supporting the delivery of both projects.
The site’s exposed coastal setting presented further challenges, particularly in managing weather conditions during critical construction phases. High winds, driving rain and salt-laden air increased the risk to airtightness layers, insulation integrity and glazing installation. The timber frame was self-delivered off site to protect it from the harsh coastal elements. Temporary weather protection, careful scheduling and enhanced quality control measures were implemented to protect the building fabric and ensure that performance targets were achieved, despite the demanding environment.
Headquartered in Derry, the company was established back in 1983; current Managing Director Henry McKinney offers decades of industry experience while also being a certified PassivHaus designer. The growing team of over 100 at Newtownstewart McKinney have the experience and skillset to operate successfully in diverse sectors within the construction industry, with its track record of successful civils works, education, community, recreation and leisure, restoration & heritage, private housing and commercial projects proof of this.
Among the contractor’s current projects are a design & build of a social housing scheme consisting of offices and 19 apartments on a brownfield city centre site in Derry, large civil packages in Sizewell C Nuclear Plant (UK) and student accommodation in the University of Exeter.
All of the directors and senior managers are members of the CIOB and are professionally qualified. The company also holds the ISO 9000, ISO 14001 and ISO 45000 certificates, and takes great pride in the amount of repeat business it does as key supply partners for clients.
As a principal contractor, Newtownstewart McKinney specialises in overseeing construction projects from inception to completion, ensuring that every aspect meets the highest standards of quality and safety. The company’s experience of working with Tier 1 contractors in the UK has equipped it with the expertise to manage complex, large-scale developments efficiently. It acts as the central point of coordination, liaising with subcontractors, suppliers, and stakeholders to deliver seamless project execution.
Newtownstewart McKinney’s commitment to excellence means it consistently meets strict timelines, budget constraints and regulatory requirements, making it a trusted partner in the construction industry. Whether leading the charge as a principal contractor or collaborating with top-tier companies, it delivers results that stand the test of time.
Newtownstewart McKinney
Ulster Science & Technology Park,
Buncrana Road,
Derry,
BT48 0SP.
Telephone: 028 7100 1111
Email: [email protected]
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, June 2026, Vol 12 No 6
featured, Newtownstewart McKinney
