It’s all about the finished product at Vascon Developments, who have amassed a stunning portfolio of high-end residential projects in Dublin over the past decade and counting. Building Ireland touched base with hands-on director Pat Devaney, who runs this industry-leading contracting firm alongside co-director Alan Quinn.
Simply put, Vascon Developments is one of Ireland’s premier residential building contractors, having consistently delivered a magnificent array of new build, extension and renovation projects that invariably exceed client expectations across the capital since its inception in 2014.
Directors Pat Devaney and Alan Quinn, who boast 60 years’ combined industry experience working in construction, leave no stone unturned in the relentless pursuit of project excellence. Their company has forged a stellar reputation for immaculate high-end finishes that leave nothing to the imagination, from a stunning €3.4m new build in Castleknock to equally-appealing ongoing-at-the-time-of-writing projects on Aylesbury Road and Stillorgan Grove, Blackrock.
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“The company was formed through a very natural coming together,” states Pat, reflecting on the genesis of Vascon Developments. “I previously ran Pat Devaney Construction and Alan fronted Alan Quinn Building Services. As well as both being involved in building, we also knew each other through our mutual interest in racing greyhounds.”
The duo came together and set up the new company in 2014 and – like a prize greyhound with its eye on the hare – haven’t looked back since. It’s not a race, though, and painstaking thought and attention to detail to invested into every project delivered, from start to finish, to ensure absolute client satisfaction.
“In the early days we were doing mid-range extensions valued at up to €150,000. We got in contact with Tyler Owens Architects through a tender and have collaborated closely with him over the past two to three years. That was a big turning point for us and we’ve done six or seven jobs between €1.5m and €3.4m over the past couple of years alone.”
Based on the quality of architectural-level workmanship and service provided, Vascon Developments has taken on a life of its own since striking up a strong working relationship with the aforementioned Tyler Owens. “Once you have had that ladder placed in front of you, and show that you are capable of doing the work, then you can push on, which is exactly what we have done. For us now, it’s all about maintaining those high standards that we have set for ourselves,” Pat notes.
When working on prestigious, high-value projects, there is no room for error and everything must be crafted perfectly down to the last millimetre. From a pair of stunning new builds on the Howth Road to the conversion / restoration of an old language school into offices at 29-30 Fitzwilliam Square South – a listed Georgian building that had to retain all its original characteristics – every job completed by Vascon Developments is high-end.
Current / recent projects include College Park, Castleknock; Aylesbury Road; and Stillorgan Grove, Ballsbridge. The latter comprises the complete demolition of an old house bar one wall followed by essentially a new build on the same site. The other two each involve a mix of demolition, rebuilding and extensions to the rear. As well as being directors, Alan and Pat are also experienced tradesmen themselves – block layer and carpenter respectively – and spend most of their days on site, hands-on.
“We never take on any more than three jobs at once so we can maximise the amount of time we spend on site,” the Dublin contractor reveals. “We both take a very active interest in everything that’s happening. From the ground up, we know exactly what goes into every home we build.”
Direct employment is generated for a crew of nine and Vascon Developments regularly calls on the services of tried and trusted subcontractors. “We use the same subbies all the time,” Pat confirms. “We cover all the groundworks, blockwork and carpentry (first and second fix) ourselves. We have all our own machinery. We pride ourselves on providing the traditional building skills, which are hard to get these days.
“We have a second block layer, Stephen, who has worked with me for 20 years and comes from a family of block layers. My brother Robert, John and Dean – a fourth-year apprentice – are the in-house carpenters.
“We work hand in hand with our QS Eoin Darby as he is a very important part of the team.”
The key to Vascon Developments’ success and popularity with clients and architects alike? “It’s quite straightforward: it’s all about the finished product at the end of the day. You want the client to be happy when you hand over the keys – that’s No.1. We don’t advertise so it’s all about the quality of the previous job. We get our work through word of mouth and also tend to do a lot for Tyler Owens, because that’s all high-end work and we have a good track record on those projects.”
Demand for Vascon Developments’ services is soaring: “We’re booked up into the middle of 2026,” Pat concludes. “But we would always find room for a smaller project in between to keep things ticking along.
“Tyler Owens has been instrumental in the path we’ve taken and the success we’ve had. Jason Tyler and Peter Owens have been an invaluable help. Jason especially has put his faith in us and helped us along, and we have progressed as a result. We’ve grown hand in hand. We owe him a big debt of gratitude: he put that ladder in front of us and it was up to us to climb it.”
Vascon Developments Ltd.,
Firhouse,
Dublin 24.
Tel: 086 0352669
Email: [email protected]
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, June 2025, Vol 11 No 6
