About Castlethorn
Our Passion
Creating Great Places for Everyone
Castlethorn is one of Ireland’s foremost real estate developers and home builders. For over 35 years, we have led the way in creating superior, innovative and sustainable developments.
Our passion goes beyond building property. We are committed to design excellence, progressive urban planning and the delivery of the highest quality built environments. Placemaking is our main ambition, and it’s our greatest achievement.
By combining unrivalled vision, expertise and creativity, our team turns ambitious plans into thriving places to live, work and socialise.
housing up to 45,000 people
of commercial space developed and 9,000 jobs created –
supporting a stronger economy
6 pumping stations –
connecting communities to essential services
3 community centres and
20 playgrounds delivered –
helping communities to flourish
Our Approach
Guaranteeing Quality
Attention to detail informs everything we do. Starting with meticulous site selection, we make sure that all our developments are ideally positioned, with all the amenities and infrastructure they need to grow into truly great places.
Once we have the right location, our team follows up with award-winning design, using energy efficient specifications, exceptional craftsmanship and detailed finishes. Finally, we complete our schemes with carefully considered and complementary landscaping.
Our Promise
Building Trust
Our customers know that the Castlethorn name is one they can trust. We take the time to really understand their needs, and we are there for them long after completion to ensure they get the most from their investment. With more than three decades of experience in the Irish market, we are proud to stand over every project we have delivered.
Our Experts
Meet the Team
Joe O’Reilly
Founder and CEO
Joe has been involved in property development in Ireland for the last 30 years and is one of Ireland's most prolific developers.
Castlethorn Construction has become one of the highest profile residential developers in the Greater Dublin region, as well as leading the development of Dundrum Town Centre, Ireland’s largest and most successful retail centre, and Killeen Castle golf resort.
Joe O’Reilly
Founder and CEO
Joe has been involved in property development in Ireland for the last 30 years and is one of Ireland's most prolific developers.
Ronan Columb
Group Managing Director
Ronan Columb joined Castlethorn in 2004 as Construction Manager and was appointed Construction Director in 2007 where he was responsible for all Construction and Quantity Surveying activities in the company.
Ronan was appointed Group Managing Director in 2023. Ronan leads and oversees the overall operations and business strategy of the company.
Prior to joining Castlethorn he was a Divisional Director at Walls Construction where he held several management positions and developed his career over 14 years.
Ronan Columb
Group Managing Director
Ronan Columb joined Castlethorn in 2004 as Construction Manager and was appointed Construction Director in 2007 where he was responsible for all Construction and Quantity Surveying activities in the company.
Andrew McBennett
Director
Andrew joined Castlethorn as a Senior Executive in 2018. A qualified Chartered Surveyor specialising in planning and development, Andrew has over 12 years experience in the real estate industry.
Andrew was appointed as Director and to the Executive Team in 2021.
Prior to joining Castlethorn, Andrew worked with Harcourt Developments as a development manager and with WK Nowlan Real Estate as a development surveyor.
Andrew McBennett
Director
Andrew joined Castlethorn as a Senior Executive in 2018. A qualified Chartered Surveyor specialising in planning and development, Andrew has over 12 years experience in the real estate industry.
Eoin Wilcox
New Projects Director
Eoin joined Castlethorn in 2008 as Construction Manager. His role evolved into that of Development Analyst and he was appointed as New Projects Director in 2014.
Eoin has over 25 years experience in the construction industry.
Eoin was previously an Associate Director with Mulcahy McDonagh and Partners where he led a team of surveyors responsible for all aspects of cost management and development modelling for a number of large commercial developments including Carton House (Hotel, Residential and Golf Club), regional shopping centre, offices and retail units
Eoin Wilcox
New Projects Director
Eoin joined Castlethorn in 2008 as Construction Manager. His role evolved into that of Development Analyst and he was appointed as New Projects Director in 2014.
Fergal McDonough
Group Finance Director
Fergal McDonough joined Castlethorn as Financial Controller in 2004 and was appointed Finance Director in 2015 and Group Finance Director in 2019.
Fergal has responsibility for overseeing the development and implementation of the group’s financial reporting, taxation strategy and IT systems.
Prior to joining the group, Fergal specialised in taxation with EY and worked for a smaller property developer that focused on tax-based property developments where he led the process of disposing of large amounts of tax allowances.
Fergal McDonough
Group Finance Director
Fergal McDonough joined Castlethorn as Financial Controller in 2004 and was appointed Finance Director in 2015 and Group Finance Director in 2019.
Olivia Leahy
Associate Director
Olivia joined Castlethorn in 2018 as Executive Assistant. Olivia was appointed as Associate Director and to the Executive Team in 2023.
Olivia works closely with the CEO and Group Managing Director on the overall daily operations of the company.
Prior to joining Castlethorn, Olivia worked in the media industry as a producer.
Olivia Leahy
Associate Director
Olivia joined Castlethorn in 2018 as Executive Assistant. Olivia was appointed as Associate Director and to the Executive Team in 2023.
Ben Brady
Senior Residential Sales & Marketing Manager
Ben Brady joined Castlethorn in 1995. Ben has extensive experience in the New Homes sector and has overseen the sales, marketing and completion of over 8000 residential units in some of Dublin’s iconic developments.
Prior to joining Castlethorn, Ben worked in Hamilton Osborne King (Savills) where he gained experience in both the Retail and New homes departments.
Ben Brady
Senior Residential Sales & Marketing Manager
Ben Brady joined Castlethorn in 1995. Ben has extensive experience in the New Homes sector and has overseen the sales, marketing and completion of over 8000 residential units in some of Dublin’s iconic developments.
Gemma Harrington
Residential Sales & Marketing Manager
Gemma Harrington joined Castlethorn in 2018 as Residential Sales Manager. Her primary role is to oversee the sales in Lansdowne Place. Gemma has over 15 years in the property industry.
Prior to joining Castlethorn she worked as Property Portfolio Manager with Grant Thornton for five years managing large property portfolios for the pillar banks.
Gemma was previously an Associate Director with Savills where she worked for nine years in their New Homes department, where she was responsible for all aspects of New Homes developments for her client base. She managed entire sales and marketing strategies, carried out initial site assessments, cost analysis and detailed pricing of units.
Gemma Harrington
Residential Sales & Marketing Manager
Gemma Harrington joined Castlethorn in 2018 as Residential Sales Manager. Her primary role is to oversee the sales in Lansdowne Place. Gemma has over 15 years in the property industry.
James Leonard
Senior Project Manager, Planning
James joined Castlethorn in 2006 as a Project Manager in our Planning Department. James has over 20 years experience in town planning.
He manages external project design teams and co-ordination of planning applications, further information submissions, appeals and compliance.
James co-ordinates or alternatively personally prepares development plans and policy document submissions to local authorities / statutory bodies and appeals to An Bord Pleanála and provides general town planning advices.
James Leonard
Senior Project Manager, Planning
James joined Castlethorn in 2006 as a Project Manager in our Planning Department. James has over 20 years experience in town planning.
Social Responsibility
Supporting Communities
It is people who build community spirit, and we are very happy to support the work of these important organisations.
Sectoral Engagement
Contributing to Our Industry
We actively participate in the development of our sector through our membership of the Construction Industry Federation (CIF), the Irish Home Builders Association (IHBA) and the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI).
Our ongoing engagement with consultative bodies, and local and national government, also gives us a platform to drive improvements in the standards and business conditions that shape our industry.