Pat Loftus Construction Group was delighted to play its part in delivering the award-winning Bóithrín na Saoirse project, which is a Traveller-Specific Group Housing Scheme in Galway.
Constructed by the family-run building firm and designed by deSiún Architects, the project was named Residential Housing Project of the Year at the Irish Building & Design Awards 2026 as well as being shortlisted for Small Project of the Year. Commissioned by Galway City Council and delivered through deep collaboration with Traveller families, Bóithrín na Saoirse replaces a long-standing 1988 halting site with five modern, energy‑efficient homes designed with resident families and CENA, the Traveller‑led Approved Housing Body. The project reflects national best practice in delivering high‑quality, Traveller-specific accommodation.
Furthermore, the architecture translates cultural values into form and space, demonstrating how meaningful engagement and trust can shape inclusive, high-quality housing. The Irish Building & Design Awards celebrate the best in architecture, engineering, construction, design, innovation and the future of the Irish Built Environment.
“It was a great project to be associated with,” Thomas Loftus of Pat Loftus Construction Group enthuses.
“Micheál de Siún must take a lot of the credit as he was adamant it should have a unique design and be culturally sensitive. He never veered from that. The unique features came through in the finish. Built on a brownfield site, the project took 18 months to complete, during which we worked closely with Micheál and Galway City Council’s engineers, before handover in the summer of 2025.
“It was officially opened by Deputy Mayor of the City of Galway, Councillor Alan Cheevers, and Mr Éamon Ó Cuív, former Galway West TD and Deputy Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community, in November 2025.”
Bóithrín na Saoirse aims to demonstrate how Traveller‑specific homes can be sensitively integrated into a suburban setting while strengthening community connections. The design seeks to make a positive contribution to the wider neighbourhood by opening the site to the adjacent public green space and removing former physical barriers, reflecting an ambition to promote visibility, inclusion and a stronger sense of place. The semi‑circular arrangement of the homes around a shared green is intended to encourage cohesion among residents while drawing inspiration from traditional Traveller spatial layouts.
The scheme also aims to set a high standard in sustainability, accessibility and long‑term estate management, with universal design principles incorporated throughout. Its collaborative development process is intended to support long‑term satisfaction, stability, and improved quality‑of‑life outcomes for the resident families. Galway City Council and CENA hope the project can inform future approaches to Traveller specific accommodation and contribute to national discussions on inclusive public housing delivery.
Established in 1992 by Pat and Josephine Loftus, Pat Loftus Construction Group has earned an enviable reputation for high-quality construction in the West and Midlands. The company is primarily focused on public sector works such as social housing and education projects, but is equally adept at commercial works. Priding itself on “a personal commitment to quality”, Pat Loftus Construction Group strives to maintain and further develop its strong name for high-quality standards of materials, workmanship and finish.
Pat (managing director) and Josephine (director) are joined in the family business by their sons Thomas and Cathal – who are both engineers by profession – along with 15 direct employees who are supported and supplemented by the same tried and trusted industry partners, including Durkin Bros, Jonathan Glavin Electrical, PJ Meehan Plumbing, Ned Forde Ltd and Coffey Electrical to name but a few.
The Co. Galway contracting firm’s reputation for quality construction, Health & Safety, sustainability and ability to complete projects on time and within the agreed budget is borne out by the high volume of repeat business and referrals it receives from design teams and scores of satisfied clients. By employing highly-skilled people, working closely with engineers and architects, and using only the very best building products, this fully insured company is able to deliver unrivalled construction services to its clients.
“Initially, the company focused on private residential housing projects,” Thomas says.
“Over time, the company expanded into large housing and commercial projects, which eventually led to public works contracts, including schools and healthcare projects. In recent years, we have been working closely with local authorities across the West and Midlands regions. We have delivered a mix of housing, commercial and public realm projects ranging in value for €1m to €10m for local authorities such as Galway City Council, Galway County Council, Roscommon County Council and Offaly County Council. We have recently commenced our first project for Tipperary County Council which is a 10-unit social housing development in Ashbury Avenue, Roscrea.
“We’re focused on strengthening our relationships with local authorities and all of our valued clients over the coming years.”
Thomas explains how Pat Loftus Construction Group hasn’t looked back since collaborating with SJK Architects on Scoil Mhuire National School in Monivea, Co. Galway, which claimed third place in the RIAI Irish Architecture Awards Public Choice category in 2020.
“Scoil Mhuire Monivea was a great project for us, similar to Bóithrín na Saoirse, it was great to see the talented work of the design team members and the skilled workmanship of our partners and teams recognised on a national level. Another notable project we delivered was the “Covered Space & Historic Well” public realm works in the centre of Roscommon Town for Roscommon County Council, in conjunction with GKMP Architects and Brunner Consulting Engineers, which won the Element Award at the 42nd Irish Concrete Society Awards in 2025.
“Our flagship project in 2026 is with our client Waterways Ireland in Tullamore where we are completing their new Craft Centre of Excellence located on the outskirts of Tullamore town adjacent to the Grand Canal. It will replace their existing Tullamore Harbour depot, which has served as their regional base for over 60 years.
“Some of other current / recent projects of note include 19 age-friendly single storey homes at Ashfield Clonminch, Tullamore for Oaklee Housing Association and Offaly County Council; An Chistin state-of-the-art training and community kitchen in Castlerea for Roscommon County Council; Scoil Mhuire, Strokestown Special Education Needs unit with Rhatigan Architects; and a new residential care facility in Galway City for the Peter Triest Housing Association and the Brothers of Charity.
As Pat Loftus Construction Group continues to go from strength to strength, the main contractor would like to take this opportunity to thank its clients, suppliers and design teams for their unwavering support as well as its staff and subcontractors for their hard work, dedication and expertise.
Pat Loftus Construction Group (Loftus Building & Civil Engineering)
Pollacrossaun,
Menlough
Co. Galway.
Telephone: 086 309 1238
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, September 2026, Vol 12 No 9
featured, Pat Loftus Construction Group
