Meticulous craftsmanship is the hallmark of every Jackie Folan Limited project and that has enabled the Connemara based contractor to consistently deliver a breath-taking portfolio of industry-leading public and private work for three-and-a-half decades.
With over 30 years’ experience in the building industry, specialising in residential, commercial and institutional projects, Jackie Folan Limited can cater for all building needs and is synonymous with an extensive array of high-quality construction projects ranging from small scale extensions and renovations to larger scale commercial projects.
As the company continues to build upon its wonderful legacy and to explore new avenues by completing an impressive succession of specialist public projects, Building Ireland returned to Carna and renewed acquaintances with hands-on managing director Paraic Folan to get an update.
“We’re busy and still growing, thankfully,” confirms Paraic, “In recent years, we’ve taken on more public and commercial work than private projects and we’ve been lucky enough to work on a number of very interesting conservation-type projects.”
Indeed, although constructing high-end residential homes remains an integral part of the business model, Jackie Folan Limited has tapped into something of a niche market locally in these public conservation / refurbishment jobs, where the ability to deliver discreet and professional workmanship – leaving no trace or footprint – is paramount.
This is where JFL comes into its own as the emphasis has always been on tidy, diligent and conscientious construction resulting invariably in exceptionally finished projects. Achieving the wow factor in a paradoxically understated fashion is a skill in and of itself, one that can only be learned intuitively through decades of experience at the very forefront of the construction industry…
To this end, at the time of writing, Paraic and his team had just completed a magnificent interpretation project for Kylemore Trust at Kylemore Abbey, working both within the walled gardens and inside the internationally-renowned abbey itself. This interactive style project required an uncanny mix of the old and new with an innate understanding of the finer details of conservation, zero-impact methodologies.
“On a job like that, it’s very important not to affect or impact on any of the old or existing stuff. Everything you do has to be hidden and you can’t make any holes in walls or do anything invasive. It’s carried out in such a way that we could literally plug all our work out and take it away again and leave no trace that we were ever there. Definitely a niche market and a very interesting one, too,” says Paraic.
“We’re also done work in Dún Aonghasa on the Aran Island of Inis Mór for the OPW – similar type of work where our interpretation team has to ensure that all the sockets and switches, etc., are in place and working but hidden at the same time, leaving no trace.”
Another recent project is an extension to an existing medical factory for Údarás na Gaeltachta in Inverin, Galway. “We’re also doing a couple of architect-led, high-end residential houses – one in Cashel and one in Furbo, near Barna,” the MD notes.
Jackie Folan Limited is a second-generation family-run business that was founded in Carna, County Galway in the late 1980s by the eponymous Jackie Folan. During the ensuring three-and-a-half decades, the company has earned an enviable reputation for providing top quality work on every project, large or small, be it new build or reimagining of an existing structure.
Operating predominantly in the Connemara area, the company is renowned near and far for outstanding workmanship, attention to detail, value for money and a commitment to working closely with clients from conception through to completion, with every finished project meeting, nay exceeding, client expectations.
At the heart of the company is a stellar team of skilled and experienced tradesmen who are adept at consistently delivering workmanship of the highest calibre, with no stone left unturned in the relentless pursuit of construction excellence.
“We have a brilliant team and you need that when you are producing niche and high-end work,” Paraic confirms. “At the moment, we have 20 people directly employed and the craftsmanship they deliver is invaluable.
“Our people and their skills are hugely important to the continued success of Jackie Folan Limited. As well as that, good communication is critical – communication with design teams, with architects, mechanical and electrical engineers and also with subcontractors, not forgetting the client of course. We are a link between all of that.
“The nature of our work is changing and there has been a gradual shift towards more commercial and public work but, having said that, because the area we are in is so small, you can never stay away from housing altogether. So we still do private houses, too, and that keeps us busy and offers a nice balance, albeit with a lot of the houses we are building now being high-end.”
Looking to the future, Paraic’s vision for the exemplary family business is one of further growth: “We are going to do more of what we are doing, and on a slightly bigger scale,” he concludes. “At the same time, we are very happy with the size we are now at. It’s manageable and we have good relationships in the industry and are very lucky to have a great team. Going forward, I imagine it’s going to be a larger scale of what we are already doing.”
Jackie Folan Limited,
Carna,
Connemara,
County Galway.
Tel: 087 7835810
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jackiefolanlimited
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, February, Vol 11 No 2
featured, Jackie Folan Limited
