Based in Erris, Co Mayo, Jonathan Sweeney Carpentry & Construction specialises in residential new build, renovations and extensions projects. Building Ireland touched base with Managing Director Jonathan Sweeney to hear more about a company which is renowned for the quality of its projects and its gravitation towards Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) work over the past half decade.
Next year marks an even two decades since Jonathan Sweeney Carpentry & Construction’s inception and business has seldom been better for the Co Mayo construction firm.
Operating with anywhere between six and eight full-time staff throughout the year, the company is first choice for those that are seeking quality craftsmen in all aspects of carpentry and construction.
Since ‘Day One’, Jonathan Sweeney Carpentry & Construction has been trusted by its clients to deliver efficient and clean workmanship with attention to every detail and to a very high standard.
That high standard has been continually carried through for the best part of 20 years now, including in the company’s ICF work which first started in 2022 and, to put it simply, has taken off ever since.
A certified installation partner for Thermohouse, it specialises in high-performance residential and commercial ICF buildings.
Building Ireland caught up with Jonathan Sweeney himself recently to hear about some of the company’s recent projects and his plans for the future of the business.
“It’s been very busy now. We’re doing a lot of Pyrite and ICF houses. We’ve done about 25 ICF houses in Mayo at this stage and at least 20% of those have been Pyrite,” he outlined.
“I started doing the ICF about four years ago and it has been going nicely since. I’ve covered all of Mayo now at this stage.”
The origins of the company itself date back to when Jonathan himself completed his training as a carpenter.
Starting out modestly with just himself and a small team, the Mayo native saw demand for quality building work and gradually grew and, over time, the business expanded to include full-time and part-time staff, as well as a network of trusted subcontractors.
How ICF work came into the equitation for Jonathan Sweeney Carpentry & Construction was fairly straightforward, with Jonathan himself being approached by a customer to build his house for him using the method which has several advantages over traditional block construction.
The modern building method uses interlocking foam blocks filled with reinforced concrete to create highly energy-efficient, durable and sound-resistant structure.
In the short space of four years, Jonathan and his team are now fast-approaching the completion of almost 30 ICF houses in Mayo alone and that number looks set to continue to grow more and more in the future.
“I’m working on an ICF house now which we’re just finishing the last stage. I’ve another one starting soon which will be ICF flooring, walls and roofs. I’m currently slating a house there, just doing the roof on it,” he said.
“Business is very good at the moment, but I won’t lie to you though, there is a lack of tradesmen out there. I’ve one young lad, he’s only 22 and I took him on as an apprentice. He’s the first one in years.”
On the projects coming up later this year, the company’s MD added: “I’ve another two ICF houses in the summer. One’s starting in May and the other one is in July. I’ve to keep them about two months apart so they’ll follow suit. I’m nearly up at 30 ICF houses completed in Mayo now.
“To be honest, I’m looking at concentrating on building ICF houses. In the future, I’ll be looking towards group houses. They’re a rapid build and you’re talking maybe six to eight weeks where a house goes from nothing up to a roof on it.”
While its transitioned more and more into building ICF homes, Jonathan Sweeney Carpentry & Construction has continued to enhance its reputation for quality workmanship and personalised service.
The company’s customers value its commitment to completing projects on time and within budget, with clear communication and reliable service.
The business can operate as a full turnkey provider, managing a build from concept through to completion, including statutory permissions if required, or offer partial support depending on client preference.
For Jonathan, the success of this company comes through sustained quality over the past two decades.
“It’s 22 years since I started out on my own. For years, we have been leading roofing contractors in the area,” Jonathan stated when asked why customers choose his company first.
“Secondly, we’re the only ICF subcontractors in the Erris area. We’re the only ones building these houses here and there’s only two of us altogether in Mayo. So there’s only two companies in Mayo that are trained and certified installers of the ICF system. The benefits of it tick every box.”
As for the months ahead for Jonathan Sweeney Carpentry & Construction, its owner is very much optimistic for what’s around the corner.
“I’ve enough employment created so it’s just about getting enough employees to keep it stable. Maybe next year we’ll be looking at increasing the amount of ICF houses that we’re doing. That’s what my goal is. I’m four years at them now and I couldn’t have predicted any better,” he concluded.
Jonathan Sweeney Carpentry & Construction can be easily contacted by phone or email (see details below) and maintains an online presence (jsweeneycarpentryconstruction.ie) where prospective clients can browse services and reach out for quotes.
The company emphasises clear, direct communication to help customers start each and every project with confidence.
Jonathan Sweeney Carpentry & Construction
Carrowmore,
Barnatra,
Ballina,
Co Mayo
Tel: 097 84928
Mobile: 086 197 2440
Email: [email protected]
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, July 2026, Vol 12 No 7
featured, Jonathan Sweeney Carpentry & Construction
