Congratulations to Kevin on his 25th Work Anniversary in Moston. To mark this fantastic achievement, we’ve asked Kevin to share some of his favourite Moston Memories.
Q: What are the 3 Projects you’re most proud of, and why?
KK: There have honestly been too many great jobs over the years. We made dreams come true for some, did things they said couldn’t be done and hopefully left everyone happy. If I had to pick just 3 jobs, they’d be:
1) Journey’s End, Howth: A once in a lifetime job! A 10,000 sq ft house, constructed over 3 levels, set into a steep slope, with very complex and exacting finishes. Certainly one I am very proud of.
2) Barrow Street: An Office Fit Out, which was a great example of renovation and rejuvenation, and a building which still looks great today, over 20 years later! Nothing like Journey’s End, but that’s what makes the Construction Industry so enjoyable – every job throws up a new challenge. I had less experience when I did this job, and felt thrown in at the deep end, as I took over a faltering project, and I was required to get it back on track. But the end product was worth it, and one that has stood the test of time.
3) 47 Grafton Street: It’s not every day you take out the ground floor out of a building on Ireland’s busiest street, and keep 3 floors hanging over your head until the structural steel is hand balled in, erected and loaded. This was certainly a project where we had to put great faith in the Temporary Works Design. And thankfully, with the help of very good Structural Engineers, everything went to plan, and this building is now in good health for 100’s of years to come.
Honourable mentions should go to the ESB’s Heritage Archive Building, the Day Theatres at SVUH, and the IMB Head Office refurbishment, but as I said above, there really are too many great projects to mention!
Q: Did you ever think on 1st February 1996, that you’d still be in Moston 25 years later?
KK: I was delighted to meet Mick O’Shea in the Ashling Hotel to accept a job as a Site Engineer/Foreman. I was one of the first of many to join Moston over the years. I was giving it 2 years. That was a good run with a company back then. It was the great atmosphere, work ethic, attention to detail and relationships with clients and subbies that made staying easy. But it was the people within the company that made sure when the big offers came in that I stayed!
Q: What are the biggest changes in the Industry since 1996?
KK: Oh God – it has to be the paperwork involved! It nearly stacks up to the size of the building itself. Project Management packages, such as Procore, which we adopted in 2020 have certainly made it simpler, but filling out paperwork, on paper or digitally, is now a huge part of the job, and just grows and grows every year.
Q: Have you any memorable Moston stories that are suitable for sharing on LinkedIn?
KK: I think I’ll have to save those stories, and a lot of peoples blushes (including my own) until I retire and write a book. But needless to say there have been some sad times, some rough times but way too many good times to mention – in the Site Office, at Christmas parties, at company outings and on the golf course. I’d like to thank everyone in Moston for 25 great years and I look forward to the next 18 years and 5 months till retirement.