Operating out of Cooga, Doon, Co Limerick, Michael Maher Contracting Ltd specialises in civil engineering and groundworks solutions for its customers. Building Ireland caught up with Contracts Manager Paudie Maher to hear all about this thriving company – from its current projects to what he sees as its objectives going forward.
Since its inception, Michael Maher Contracting Ltd has always made it a priority to ensure that every project it undertakes is completed to the highest standards, on time and within budget.
This second-generation family business was founded in 1991 by Limerick man Michael Maher and his son Paudie has followed in his footsteps in running a professional operation with a reputation for excellence.
Maher Contractors currently employs 48 staff at its headquarters in Cooga, Doon, Co. Limerick. The family-run business is now led by Paudie Maher, with his sister Catriona managing the office operations. Their father, having stepped back from the construction side in recent years, now focuses on his beef and agricultural enterprise.
Building Ireland touched base with Paudie recently to discuss the ins and outs of this Limerick operation and what he feels separates it from the competition.
“Business is very strong. We were never as busy,” he outlined.
“We probably have seven or eight live jobs on there at the moment, all big enough jobs. The main client would be Clancy and we’d always have 20 or 25 lads working with them.
“We’re on two jobs for them at the moment in Cork and then we’re on a few jobs with JJ Rhatigan as well. We’re on two jobs in Limerick with BAM and Fitzgibbon Builders, along with Summerhill Construction in Little Island.
“We do some work for Clare County Council as well and we’ll be starting a new job for them around September/October.”
These last few years have seen the company really putting a commitment towards investing in plant and equipment.
All in all, the recent investments have seen the items of plant in the yard in Cooga swelling up to 50 and its all needed in order to keep up with the current demand from clientele.
“We’ve 20 excavators there at the moment and, in the last few years, we’ve bought four different 20-tonne diggers alone,” said Paudie.
“We’re investing a lot of money into technology as in GPS systems for the diggers. We’ve GPS systems on five machines at the moment and we bought a new bulldozer recently which has GPS on it as well, so we’re pushing it on a bit.”
He added: “Over the past few years, we’ve purchased plant equipment from Whelan’s, Breen’s, and Noel O’Shea. At this stage, between diggers, dumpers, and other gear, we must have close to 50 pieces of construction plant.”
Specialising in bulk digs, muck shifting, deep drainage, all concrete works and ducting, Maher Contracting is engaged in many civil works for Clancy Construction, who have become its biggest client over the past half decade or so.
As for additions in personnel over the last few years for the company, Paudie explained that there have been some significant ones made in that department as well.
“We brought on a new Commercial Manager two years ago — Pat O’Riordan. He works alongside Willie Perry in estimating, together with my sister Catriona, who manages the office,” said the Contracts Manager.
“Willie Perry works in the Estimating Department, while Pat, as Commercial Manager, has really driven the business forward. He’s brought in a number of new clients and has been a top-class addition to the team. His contribution has truly helped transform our company.”
As for making further additions to what is already a vastly experienced and professional team in Cooga, Paudie commented: “Yeah, 100%. We’re actively looking to add to the team here.
“In the next couple of months, we’ll probably need another 10 staff with the works that are coming up. We’re doing a huge housing development for Clancy in Midleton; there’s 390 houses in it.”
Along with Clancy, BAM, Uisce Éireann, JJ Rhatigan, John Sisk & Son, Conack Construction and Limerick, Tipperary and Clare County Councils are just some of clients which Maher Contractors have worked for down through the years.
So, all of that considered, the clear question is what has been the secret behind the company’s success to date?
How has what started out as a small agricultural contracting business in ’91 evolved itself into a leading groundwork and civil engineering specialist in the Munster region, with 90% of its work now being construction based?
For Paudie, it comes down to a combination of different factors.
“We stand over everything that we do. The quality of the work is good and our staff are top class,” he stated.
“We take pride in employing only top-quality staff and ensuring they’re well looked after. The business now runs with 28 vans on the road, reflecting the scale of our operations.
“Our team is well looked after, and overall, they’re very happy here. Staff turnover is minimal—apart from the few who aren’t the right fit. We’ve maintained a strong core team over the years and are continually building on it.
“As for why clients keep coming back to us, it’s simple — they know the quality of our work is consistently high, and we stand firmly behind everything we do. If any issue arises, it’s addressed immediately and without fuss.
“We do what we say we’ll do — we’re reliable and fair, and we work well with every company we partner with. I rarely get calls with complaints about our team. Our sites run smoothly, and that’s down to having four or five excellent supervisors who keep everything well managed.”
As for the company’s hopes going forward towards 2026, Paudie is keen to keep things on the current trajectory and expand the business by 10 more employees at the most.
“We just want to continue at a steady rate of growth. We don’t want to put our hands around the world,” he said.
“We aim to run a tight, well-managed operation. If we can bring in another six, seven, or maybe even ten skilled workers over the next couple of months, that would likely bring us to a level we’re happy to cap at.
“We’re satisfied with where things are heading. The workload is steady, and we’re in a comfortable position looking ahead.”
Paudie would like to take this opportunity to thank the company’s customers and suppliers for their continued support as well as its staff for their hard work, dedication and skill.
Maher Contractors Ltd
Cooga,
Doon,
Co Limerick
Tel: 085 8245174 / 086 8148420
Email: [email protected]
Web: mahercontractors.ie
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, December 2025, Vol 11 No 13
