Operating out of Mill Street, Co Galway, Ian Morrissey Renovations offers its customers a complete renovation and construction package. Building Ireland touched base with the man himself recently to hear all about this thriving business – from its origins to the projects it has on-going at the moment.
From ambitious home transformations to high-end new builds, Ian Morrissey Renovations has carved out a strong reputation across Galway city and beyond.
Ian Morrissey’s journey in construction began long before his company officially launched in 2013. Originally from Tipperary, he has spent nearly three decades living and working in Galway.
“I started it myself from being a carpenter,” Ian explained. “I’m from Tipperary originally, but Galeay’s been home for the past 29 years now.”
After moving west, Ian built up extensive experience in the trade, working as a carpentry contractor before eventually taking the leap into running his own business.
The business began modestly, but steady growth soon followed as Ian expanded his scope of work.
“I progressed along from attic conversions and small extensions, moving up then to the bigger renovations,” he said.
Today, the company employs seven full-time staff, with two vans on the road full-time, reflecting the steady demand for its services.
Over the years, Ian Morrissey Renovations has developed a clear niche in the market. The company specialises in large-scale renovations, extensions, and one-off homes, often involving significant structural work.
“We specialize in one-off houses and major renovations,” Ian explained. “From almost complete demolitions to full-scale renovations, we focus on large, high-end homes.”
Much of the company’s work takes place in Galway’s most desirable residential areas, particularly the city and the seaside suburb of Salthill.
“It’s all in the west,” Ian noted. “I’ve actually only left the city and Salthill once for one job in the last 10 years because everything has been in the city and in Salthill mainly.”
The property market in the area continues to drive demand for premium renovations.
“It’s really popular here in Salthill, and people spend a lot on their homes,” Ian said. “Most are buying semi-detached houses for around €700,000—and many end up investing another €600,000 to €700,000 on top of that.”
A key turning point for the company came through connections with local architects who recognised the quality of Morrissey’s work.
Among those who played a major role was Conor Slack from Tribe Architects, who helped introduce Ian to larger renovation and extension projects.
Another influential figure was the late Pat McCabe, a well-known Galway architect.
Remarkably, Ian Morrissey Renovations has grown almost entirely through word of mouth.
“I’ve never really done any advertising, apart from site signage and Instagram,” the company’s proprietor said. “From day one, it’s all been word of mouth across the city.”
One particularly notable project earned national recognition when it reached the final of RTE’s Home of the Year.
“We landed a fantastic job in the city, thanks again to Pat McCabe—and ended up reaching the final of RTÉ’s Home of the Year, which was amazing,” Ian said.
Like much of the construction industry, the company has experienced a surge in demand in recent times
However, growth has also brought challenges, particularly when it comes to staffing and subcontractor availability.
“Last year was extremely busy for us, and things are still going strong at the moment,” Ian explained. “As any builder will tell you, the toughest part is actually finding reliable subcontractors and staff—that’s always the biggest challenge.”
“Jobs that would’ve taken a year a few years back are probably taking three or four months extra now. The timeline has been pushed out because of that, but it’s very busy and we’ve started two new jobs this year which is great.”
Ian Morrissey Renovations is currently involved in several high-profile residential projects around Galway and Salthill.
One of the most notable is Seamount Salthill, a major renovation on the famous promenade.
“It’s a full renovation, internal demolition and extension of an existing house right on the promenade in Salthill,” Ian explained.
“We’ve got another project at Fr. Griffin House that we’re just finishing up,” Ian said. “It involves partial demolition and rebuilding of a house in Salthill, and we’re nearly done.”
The company has also recently broken ground on a new build at Lakeview Hill in Bushy Park in Galway, as well as a deep retrofit renovation on Knocknacarra Road.
For Ian, the success of the business comes down to a combination of craftsmanship, attention to detail and strong client relationships.
“Attention to detail and giving a really high-end service and personal service to customers. I think my product speaks for itself at the end of the day and I’m big on client relationships as well,” he said.
“I’d always say to clients that they may as well start enjoying the project rather than being stressed about it. It’s a stressful time for everybody, but try and enjoy it and go along and keep communication open. If you get a good team around you, I think that’s key to it.”
As the business continues to grow, its owner and founder is planning the next phase of expansion.
One key development will be the addition of a Contracts Manager and Quantity Surveyor, his cousin Tommy Ellard, who brings 13 years of experience with Purcell Construction.
“I think he’ll be a big gamechanger for me in the business,” Ian stated.
While construction itself remains a passion, Morrissey admits that the administrative side of running a company can be the most demanding.
“The hardest part of my job isn’t actually the building itself—it’s managing the day-to-day running of it,” he explained.
“Getting money in, dealing with clients, getting valuations into quantity surveyors and architects – the cash flow is the hardest part of it.”
By strengthening the management side of the business, Morrissey hopes to streamline operations and focus even more on delivering high-quality projects.
“If I could take some of that stress away from it and keep an eye on costs it would be great. Hopefully Tommy will be a huge help with all of that,” Ian concluded.
With a strong reputation, a growing team, and a steady stream of high-end projects, Ian Morrissey Renovations continues to build on its success in Galway’s thriving residential market. For Ian, the goal remains simple: deliver exceptional homes while maintaining the personal approach that has driven the business since ‘Day One’.
Ian Morrissey Renovations
Millhouse,
Mill Street,
Galway.
Mobile: 086 385 5335
Web: ianmorrissey.com
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, June 2026, Vol 12 No 6
featured, Ian Morrissey Renovations
