Established in 2015, Lee Ashley Groundworks Ltd excels in providing essential groundworks services. The company is fronted by Lee Ashley, who has over 20 years’ experience in the sector.
Specialising in groundworks, site clearance and development, civil engineering, bulk digs, demolition, drainage, pipe works, rock-breaking, crushing, water welding, plant hire, and registered with the NWCPO (National Waste Collection Permit Office), the Belturbet, Co. Cavan-based operation has grown to become one of the leading groundworks providers in Ireland. Lee and his 17-strong team are experts in residential and commercial site development, adeptly preparing land for various construction projects. Their largest current project is in Killala, Co. Mayo where they are carrying out the groundworks for Schutz’s new €12 million, 38,000 sq. ft. plant in collaboration with fellow Co. Cavan-company and main contractor McCabe Group.
With many more valued clients on its books, Lee Ashley Groundworks has earned an enviable reputation for top quality work at a competitive price.
“We’ve been a limited company since July 2015, but I’ve been in the business for a lot longer than that. I started at 19 and am 42 now,” Lee explains.
“I initially worked in Dublin doing groundworks for houses before returning home after a year or two to do paving. But it wasn’t long before I got back into groundworks. During the height of the economic boom, I had 57 people working for him. We were involved in a lot of housing developments for Grandbrind in Kildare, Dublin and Meath in the early days.
“We’ve streamlined the business a good bit since then and also try to stay closer to home when it comes to projects. We did all the pipework on a 3.5km stretch of the N55 between Corduff and South of Killydoon for Clare Civil Engineering as well as the groundworks for an extension to the Lakeland Dairies facility in Killeshandra for McCabe Group.
“We also carried out drainage alignment work for McCabe Group in Abbott, Cootehill and are currently working with them on the new Schutz / Gem Plastics plant in Killala where the scope of works includes rock-breaking, drainage and sewerage. The project will take about five months to complete. In addition, we’ve completed solar farm jobs for Clean Tech, which includes framework for the ESB.
Lee adds: “We’ve earned a strong reputation for delivering quality projects that always meet and often exceed our clients’ expectations. The reliability and quality of our practice have allowed us to build a large customer-base, including main contractors who approach us for repeated projects due to our high standards on completion and professional working relationships.
“We operate from a small core group with a workforce including an engineer, quantity surveyor, site manager, skilled labourers and drivers. We also have a large amount of contractual workers that work on a job-to-job basis for larger projects.
“It goes without saying that our people are our greatest asset. We have many long-term and experienced staff who have helped to make us the company we are today. It would be remiss of me not to mention Tomás McCusker who has been my right-hand man for the past 15 years, and has seen the highs and lows with me. I’d be lost without him.”
The scope or work undertaken by Lee Ashley Groundworks varies in type and size from small- to medium-sized contracts covering all sectors of the industry. From the construction of motorways and regional and local roads to residential and commercial site development, the Ashley team always delivers.
Working closely with its clients and suppliers, Lee Ashley Groundworks is dedicated to efficient project delivery where Health & Safety and sustainability are paramount. The Co. Cavan contractor has an array of machinery to carry out your civil works quickly and efficiently, including excavators, dumpers, site rollers, trucks and bulldozers. All vehicles and machines are maintained and upgraded on a regular basis to avoid breakdowns and downtime.
“We offer high-quality, well-maintained machinery, ensuring efficiency and safety in various project environments, with a commitment to customer satisfaction,” Lee says.
“We have over 50 pieces of plant, including 22 diggers ranging from eight to 42 tonnes. We pride ourselves on our state-of-the-art plant and equipment. Anything that can make life easier and safer, I’m on it. Our track machines are run on GPS and we also have machines capable of carrying out demolition works indoors. I deal with EMS Machinery in Naas for most of my plant.
“We’re flexible, experienced and guarantee a quick turnaround. Every job we do is completed on time and within budget.”
Lee is delighted to be joined in the business by his wife Grace, who looks after the admin side of things, and his 19-year-old son Aaron, who has inherited his passion for machinery. He is also grateful for the support he receives from his daughter Amy (20) and baby Charlie.
As the family-run business continues to go from strength to strength, Lee would like to take this opportunity to thank his clients and suppliers for their unwavering support as well as his expert team for their hard work and dedication.
Lee Ashley Groundworks Ltd
Corrarod,
Belturbet,
Co. Cavan,
H14 NT66
Telephone: +353 (0)86 336 4441
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.leeashleygroundworks.ie
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, June 2026, Vol 12 No 6
featured, Lee Ashley Groundworks
