Looking for a permanent modular office building or a modular residential product designed for flexibility, sustainability and style? Then look no further than FitzMac.
Established in October 2021 by Cathal McDaid and Billy FitzGerald, FitzMac has evolved from a modular building company into a modular construction solutions provider. Focused on providing innovative, rapid-build solutions to the Irish construction sector through Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), the company has successfully managed and delivered multiple projects, particularly for the Department of Education.
But whereas school projects once accounted for up to 90% of its business, FitzMac has since made major inroads into the commercial and residential sectors. Permanent modular office buildings and modular residential extensions have become key new offerings of the company which delivers state-of-the-art modern premium prefabricated modular buildings from its production facility in Newcastle West, Co. Limerick.
“We’ve become a modular construction solutions company as opposed to a modular building company. We develop rapid-build solutions for our customers. The commercial sector is especially buoyant for us at the moment. We’ve produced permanent modular office buildings for the SSE Thermal Power Station in Tarbert, Co. Kerry and KVL Construction in Limerick to name but two. Modular plant rooms have also become another speciality product we have added to our offering.
“We’ve also developed the Infinity Homes brand which is dedicated to producing modular residential extensions and standalones. We’ve had lots of inquiries from people looking for extensions which are fully fabricated to turnkey, delivered to site and bolted onto the back of the existing dwelling. We’ve completed a number of these extensions throughout the country.
“We’ve developed the brand and concepts of design, and people have been suitably impressed. Throughout 2024, we built a 750 sq. ft. showhouse on our premises in Newcastle West which can be viewed at any time.”
Billy FitzGerald is pleased with the direction FitzMac is headed.
“We’re nearly four years into this journey and are in line with our five-year plan to diversify and not be reliant on one sector. We had these avenues earmarked,” he says.
“Innovation is at the cornerstone of what we do. We had ideas ready to deploy once we branched into other sectors. We’re a more diverse operation now. The secret of our success is the relationship between Cathal and I. It’s stronger than ever. That trickles down to our team, subcontractors and suppliers. It’s a collaborative approach. We see our subcontractors and suppliers as partners.”
Billy continues: “The company has come a long at the right time for Cathal and I. We have the hunger to grow it. We both have engineers’ minds which means we won’t stop until we find the solution. Where there’s a will, there’s a way…”
Committed to being at the cutting edge of construction innovation, FitzMac has grown to employ over 15 people. By utilising modern methods of producing buildings, the company has been able to secure a steady pipeline of projects in what is a fast-growing sector throughout Ireland. It offers a wide range of rapid-build modular building products for both the commercial and residential sectors using the FitzMac-designed Modular Building System along with other products, including Transpack modular and site accommodation products to suit all needs.
The company prides itself on satisfying its clients’ needs in a cost and time-effective manner without compromising on quality in comparison to other construction methods.
While FitzMac is still a relatively new company, its directors have a wealth of experience and expertise in construction. Both hailing from Askeaton, Cathal and Billy are long-time friends who had worked together in the past before deciding to set up their own business. Prior to that, both Billy and Cathal had worked overseas for many years.
Cathal has a degree in Civil Engineering and also holds a graduate diploma in Project Management, while Billy is a Chartered Construction Manager by profession. They are supported by their Senior Management team, including General Manager Liam Behan along with a highly-skilled and capable workforce, and the same tried and trusted subcontractors.
“We’ve known each for 25 years and both share a passion for construction,” Cathal continues.
“I spent 10 years managing and delivering infrastructure and development projects in Australia, Africa and Asia, while Billy lived and worked in the UK and Australia for about the same length of time. Billy has extensive experience managing multi-million pounds projects in London for Tier 1 Main Contractors and has particular expertise in superstructures and fitout.
“After returning to Ireland, we both ended up working together for a company in which I led the Project & Contracts Division, while Billy headed up the Production & Manufacturing division of the business.”
FitzMac can take your concept from feasibility right through to turnkey handover, providing a full Design & Build service. Manufacturing materials are fully prefabricated off-site and are delivered to FitzMac’s facility in “stick form”. The steel portal frame is fully assembled and fitted out at the FitzMac manufacturing facility by the manufacturing team.
The External Wall System varies on clients’ requirements with options including Insulated Wall Panel System (single layer) and External Wall Systems (multi-layer). Multiple finishes are available, including architectural cladding, render finish and / or brick and stone cladded.
Once the manufacturing process is complete, the modules are wrapped using recyclable shrink wrapping to make sure they are weathertight for transport to site.
The modular units are transported via an escorted truck low loader convoy to the site for installation. They are lifted into place by a Hiab or mobile crane and are bolted together to create the desired superstructure. Once the modules are in place, immediate works take place to ensure building weathertightness.
FitzMac can provide variable levels of finishes pending clients’ requirements. At the handover stage, it provides the required design and build Building Control (Amendments) Regulations Certification along with a full Operation and Maintenance manual.
Modular construction offers the flexibility to scale and evolve, meeting the needs of growing communities while reducing environmental impact. From rapid installation to energy efficiency, these structures pave the way for a modern learning environment that’s both functional and future ready.
FitzMac places a strong emphasis on its people and as such, continually endeavours to ensure that all employees have a chance to reach their potential through training, further education and professional development.
“We have a strong focus in continually providing training to our staff for upskilling which has most definitely played a role that has been integral to our success,” Cathal adds.
“We are all about keeping business local, and promoting local jobs and enterprise. One of our main suppliers, for example, is Tadhg O’Connor Ltd in Rathkeale, only a couple miles down the road, while O’Neill Haulage in Hospital looks after most of our transport needs.”
As the company continues to go from strength to strength, FitzMac would like to take this opportunity to thank its clients and suppliers for their support as well as its staff and subcontractors for their hard work, dedication and expertise.
FitzMac Ltd
Unit 1-2,
Castlelands Business Park,
Ballinvullin,
Newcastle West,
Co. Limerick,
V42 KF99.
Telephone: 069 29520
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.fitzmac.ie
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, March 2025, Vol 11 No 3
