Over the past 20 years, Belcarrig Quarries Ltd in Gorey, Co Wexford has earned a reputation for producing top of the line high P.S.V. Quartz stone. Building Ireland learned more about the business and the services it provides from its managing director Billy O’Leary.
A well-known family run company, Belcarrig Quarries supplies all grades of stone and concrete, ranging from all decorative chippings to raw materials.
The business was started up by Wexford man Billy O’Leary in 1997 and since that time it has grown from strength to strength to the point where its staff numbers have swollen into double digits, with another member of the next generation of O’Learys having come on board in recent years.
Billy was good enough to take time from what is once again becoming an increasingly busy schedule to fill Building Ireland in on what they’re all about.
“We’re in Boley, Ballycanew, Gorey, Co Wexford and we’re set-up 20 years now,” he outlined.
“There’s 15 staff working here at present and I’m the director of the business. My wife Helen O’Leary and nephew Michael are also involved in the company, so you could call it a family business Helen has a very strong part in the company.”
The quarry in Belcarrig is situated just a one hour drive from Dublin and Waterford on the east coast of Ireland with easy access to ports in Arklow, New Ross and Waterford.
Belcarrig Quarries’ high P.S.V. Quartz stone is used for highway construction and road rebuilding by all leading building and civil engineering firms in Ireland as well as the United Kingdom. It’s specified for use on top dressing by County Councils and railroad operators.
The quarry itself nestles on Belcarrig and Boley Hills, the hills are of Quartz Brophy Stone and extend over some 20 hectares with considerable depth.
Billy has operated the business of quarrying on the 20 hectare site for more than 20 years and there are extensive proven high quality resources on the site.
The quarry is fully licenced and compliant in all aspects. Bi-annual sampling tests are up to date and are always within the defined tolerance requirements.
Ask Billy what exactly it is that Belcarrig Quarries does and he tells you it straight.
“We supply councils with the highest standard of stone,” the Managing Director stated.
“As we speak, we’re working on the Enniscorthy by-pass for the BAM Group, so basically what we do is supply a good service for our clients and provide them with quality stone, specialising in quality High P.S.V. Quartz stone.”
NSAI approved, Belcarrig Quarries also supplies ready mix concrete for companies throughout both Ireland and the UK and operates a chipping plant which is designed for short circuit crushing for better shape and a better product for the chipping market.
Right now, the company is operating a fleet of 13 trucks, which are mostly made up of Volvo and Scania, and business has been experiencing an upturn in recent times.
The economic downturn certainly took its toll on a number of Belcarrig Quarries’ clients immersed in the construction industry, but Billy is now glad to report that things are looking up again and he’s optimistic for the future.
“Honestly, it’s still in the process of picking up here but things are looking good,” he enthused.
“We did have to downsize a bit during the recession but, as I said, things are definitely picking up and right now we’re occupied with this by-pass for BAM so we can’t really complain.”
It’s never been in Billy’s nature to complain either. Hence the reason why Belcarrig Quarries is still operating 20 years on from when he first founded it with high hopes once again for 2018.
Clients nearby looking to purchase, whether it be sand, grit, gold quartz or pebble beach don’t tend to stray elsewhere as Belcarrig Quarries is renowned for providing a high quality products time and time again.
Needless to say, Billy’s background in groundwork has proved invaluable to his company’s continued growth and success over the years, having been immersed in this line of work shortly after finishing his education. Therefore, it’s safe to say he knows the ins and outs of the industry.
“I was into civil engineering and groundwork from a young age and I was at it for the best part of 20 years,” he outlined.
“We done all the ground works for golf courses all around this area and supplied all the materials. After a while we started digging into stone in this quarry and after a while we decided to buy it and haven’t looked back since. It’s a 50-acre site that we’re on here now at the moment.”
Belcarrig Quarries’ stone for extraction is certified high P.S.V. and has all necessary CE markings.
These are: EN 13242:2002 + A1 2007 – Aggregates for unbound and hydraulically bound materials for use in civil engineering work and road construction.
S.R. 21:2014/Guidance on the use of EN 13242:2002 – Aggregates for unbound and hydraulically bound material for use in civil engineering work and road construction.
Aggregates in accordance with Annex ZA of the following: I.S. EN 13043 – Aggregates for bituminous mixtures and surface treatments for roads, airfields and other trafficked areas.
For more information on Belcarrig Quarries’ CE markings be sure to visit belcarrigquarries.com.
Belcarrig Quarries
Boley, Ballycanew,
Gorey,
Co Wexford
053 9482010
E-mail: [email protected]
Taken from Building Ireland Magazine, November 2017, Vol 3 No 10
