Kerry-based building and civil engineering contractors Griffin Brothers Contracting were delighted to be associated with Kinsale Library which came up trumps at the recent RIAI (Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland) Awards, winning in the ‘Conservation, Adaptation and Re-Use’ category.
Griffin Brothers Contracting was the main contractor on the project which was designed by Cork County Council’s architects’ department and saw a boarded-up shell of a 19th century grain store, known as the Old Mill building in the heart of Kinsale’s medieval town centre, transformed into a modern public library and cultural space, exemplifying how vacant buildings can be repurposed to serve public needs effectively.
Laid out over three levels, the judges described the project as an example of how vacant buildings in towns can be transformed into vibrant community amenities. The library also came third in the RIAI ‘Public Choice’ Award after over 20,000 votes were cast by the general public. The RIAI Awards celebrate buildings across all areas of our built environment, from small rural communities to our towns and urban centres. This year’s theme centred on sustainability, focusing on the reuse, repair, adaptation and retrofit of existing buildings as key to addressing climate change.
“Being associated with the winner of such a prestigious award and being the main contractor for the Kinsale Library project is a significant honour for Griffin Brothers Contracting,” Griffin Brothers Contracting Technical Services Coordinator Patricie Svirakova says.
“The new library not only won the ‘Conservation, Adaptation and Re-Use’ category, but also came third in the RIAI Public Choice Awards. Griffin Brothers Contracting is proud to have brought this incredible project to life, and this recognition highlights the exceptional collaboration and dedication of the talented team at Cork County Council for their outstanding design work.
“This achievement underscores the power of teamwork and the commitment to transforming historic buildings into vibrant community spaces.”
Griffin Brothers Contracting are no strangers themselves to receiving coveted awards. In 2020 and ’21, they won the President’s Award for ‘Best National Medium Medium-Sized Company’ at the NISO (National Irish Safety Organisation) All-Ireland Occupational Safety Awards. These accolades reflect the company’s commitment to quality, excellence and Health & Safety in construction.
Established by Monty Griffin in 1976, Griffin Brothers Contracting is a family-run firm which has completed a number of prestigious projects across a wide range of sectors, including commercial, industrial, residential, hospitality, leisure, civils, demolitions, restoration, educational, health and bespoke private luxury homes.
Brothers John and Ger Griffin head up the Castleisland-based company which employs 40 people directly in the office and on sites. Griffin Brothers Contracting comprises skilled professionals, including project managers, site supervisors, tradespeople, safety officers, quantity surveyors and a dedicated office team, all working together to deliver high-quality construction projects.
Griffin Brothers Contracting has a healthy workload of projects to commence in the coming weeks for the year ahead. The Griffin team is supported and supplemented by the same tried and trusted subcontractors. They were joined on the Kinsale Library project by Ducon Concrete, AluCast, Safeway Environmental, Tol Engineering, South West Radon, Anthony Lynes Mallow Joiner, Tarstone, Cutsue Concrete Polishing, Chris Reidy Roofing, David Roche PSCL Sprinkler, K2D, KCC Group, Cederlan, Skyway, CoreCut, Westco Windows, IFES, ICMS, Tom Gavin Flooring and Orona Lifts.
Griffin Brothers Contracting’s main clients range from government bodies to private developers, reflecting their capability to handle diverse and large-scale projects. The main contractor is currently engaged in several projects across various sectors, including MTU Melbourne Building Deep Retrofit, Kerry Airport Runway Remedial Works, Astellas, Pharma Refurbishment Works, Fermoy Community Hospital Refurbishment and Extension Works, Astellas Pharma Refurbishment as well as its own development projects.
The company prides itself on its long-standing experience, commitment to quality and ability to innovate in construction practices. Its reputation for delivering projects on time and within budget also plays a crucial role in maintaining a competitive advantage.
Griffin Brothers Contracting believe that strong teamwork between clients and designers is key to the safe and successful delivery of every project to the highest standard. Practical experience, technical ability, motivated management and supervisory teams ensure that they are particularly efficient and capable.
The company has become synonymous with the highest-quality workmanship and project delivery throughout the Kerry, Cork and Limerick region.
Investment is key to their success whether it be employees or technology. With technological advances in recent years, the company likes to stay at the forefront of these developments. The in-house management system is constantly being looked at to see where improvements can be made. A number of improvements have been carried out to the overall Health & Safety Management System.
Griffin Brothers’ Quality Management System is certified under the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management standard, which was implemented by management to ensure the company is run efficiently, effectively and consistently, meeting and exceeding client requirements and expectations.
Meanwhile, under Griffin Brothers Environmental Management System ISO 14001:2015, all employees and subcontractors must comply with their Environmental Policy. The company complies with all legal requirements with regard to the environment and does all that is reasonably practicable to prevent and minimise any negative impact on the environment.
Griffin Brothers Contracting would like to take this opportunity to thank its clients, suppliers and design teams for their unwavering support as well as its team and subcontractors for their hard work, dedication and expertise.
Griffin Brothers Contracting Ltd
Killarney Road,
Castleisland,
Co. Kerry,
V92 KD2Y.
Telephone: 066 7141305
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.griffinbrothers.ie
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, November 2024, Vol 10 No 11
featured, Griffin Brothers Contracting
