Powderly Construction Ltd is an award-winning heritage contractor with almost 70 years’ experience in building conservation and the restoration of period homes and property.
Based in Ardbraccan, Navan, Co. Meath, Powderly Construction is a second-generation family business which was founded in 1957 by the late Tommy Powderly. Tommy was a carpenter by trade who worked in Dublin for a large part of his career where he gained valuable experience in building conservation and restoration. He earned an enviable reputation for outstanding workmanship, attention to detail and an ability to bring the past back to life which he passed on to his son Paddy.
Tommy worked extensively on famous local buildings such as Rathaldron Castle in the early 1980s and Ardbraccan House in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Ardbraccan House is a large Palladian house designed by acclaimed architect Richard Cassells whose portfolio also includes Leinster House, the seat of Ireland’s Parliament. Powderly Construction completed the full restoration of the mansion, stables and outbuildings in 2002 which led to it winning the top award from An Taisce for Best Restoration of a private building.
Powderly Construction also received an award from Meath County Council for stonework on the refurbishment of Bellinter House into a luxury spa hotel. Bellinter House is a classic country house of Georgian heritage along the River Boyne in Co. Meath which was also designed by Richard Cassells.
A graduate of DIT where he studied Building Technology and DkIT where he attained a degree in Building Surveying, Paddy has carried on the family’s proud tradition in this very specialised sector. He is joined by a highly-skilled team of traditional tradespeople such as carpenters, joiners, lead and copper smiths, natural slate roofers, stone masons and lime plasterers who have a wealth of experience in restoring old buildings to their former glory.
“Our people are our greatest asset,” Paddy says.
“We employ a team of highly-skilled tradespeople who possess the traditional building skills and craftsmanship needed for successful restoration and building conservation. Our team has decades of combined experience and expertise which stands us in good stead on every project we undertake.
“We have extensive restoration experience with a wide variety of architectural styles. We take a detailed and sensitive approach to restoring and conserving period buildings. We ensure that all repairs are carried out with care to match the original character of the building, and use original materials and methods where possible. Our regular suppliers include Ecological Building Systems, Traditional Lime Company and Ty-Mawr Lime.
“We get enormous satisfaction from bringing old buildings back to life and improving their performance.”
Powderly Construction’s services include – specialist lime plastering external lime render and internal lime plastering; decorative plasterwork artisan plaster and decorative mouldings; lime mortars for building new walls and repairing stone walls; bespoke carpentry and roofing; specialist natural slate roof coverings; lead, copper and zine details and claddings; landscaping; and bespoke new build design houses.
“Our services include everything from specialist limecrete floors, fat lime plastering, quick lime, lime putty, limp hemp plaster and lime wash to airtightness products and recycled foamed glass gravel. All sustainable building materials for healthier homes are included,” the affable managing director explains.
Powderly Construction has been a member of the CIF’s Register of Heritage Contractors since the early 2000s. The Register is an accredited list of competent main contractors and specialist contractors in the field of built heritage conservation. Each member of the Register meets a set of predefined criteria, experience and expertise that enable them to carry out restoration projects.
The Register is overseen by an independent board comprising senior figures from the construction industry, the professions, third level institutions and conservation bodies, including the CIF, Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, OPW, the Heritage Council, Irish Georgian Society, TUS Limerick, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, and Fingal County Council.
The Register of Heritage Contractors aims to provide contractors with the opportunity to demonstrate their proficiency in the field of heritage works, while providing both public and private clients with an accessible list of reliable heritage contractors.
Powderly Construction works exclusively for private clients in the Meath, Westmeath, Louth, Kildare and Dublin area.
“We pride ourselves on being one of the most trusted heritage contractors in Ireland. Trust is the main thing with our clients, followed by attention to detail, top-quality work, value-for-money and Health & Safety. All of our business is secured through word of mouth and recommendations for satisfied clients. Our reputation in the sector is second to none,” Paddy adds.
Some of the award-winning heritage contractor’s current / recent projects include Slane Castle, Slane Distillery, Gernonstown House in Slane, Rathbennett House in Bunbrosna, Co. Westmeath and Kenlis Place / Headfort Place in Kells.
“Tremendous workmanship by the whole team. Thank you Paddy for running such a talented, decent crew,” Henry and Ruth Dunlop of Gernonstown House said in one testimonial.
Another testimonial from Jonathan and Everina Kilfeather of Gilltown House in Slane read: “I’ve never seen such a high standard of workmanship; highly recommend Paddy and his team. Thank you for giving us our dream home”.
Henry Mountcharles of Beauparc House and Slane Castle was also glowing in his praise, saying: “Paddy and his crew did an excellent job; very professional and friendly with a great knowledge of historic buildings.”
One of Powderly Construction’s largest projects was carried out over a number of years at Killua Castle in Clonmellon, Co. Westmeath. The building is a detached multi-bay, three-storey over basement castellated Gothic Revival castle on a complex plan. The works carried out by Paddy and his team included the completed refurbishment of the Victorian wing where they constructed the famous ‘Great Hall’ which was made from European oak as well as extensive external works, including the medieval garden, ironmongery, stonework, landscaping, construction of the boat house and shell house on the nearby lake, Clonmellon Lodge and St John’s Church, which was opened by Juan Carlos, the King of Spain.
As Powderly Construction continues to go from strength to strength, Paddy would like to take this opportunity to thank his clients and suppliers for their unwavering support along with his employees for their hard work, dedication and skill.
Powderly Construction Ltd
Coolfore Road,
Ardbraccan,
Navan,
Co. Meath,
C15 E5FK.
Telephone: 046 905 1960 / 086 605 4691
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.powderlyconstruction.ie
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, September 2024, Vol 10 No 9
