Industry category - Glenkerrin Group

The Glenkerrin Group was formed in 1988 specialising in Construction, Property, and Hotel & Leisure. The Glenkerrin Group has grown from a company which started in business with the purchase of 8 residential sites in Maynooth in 1988 for Irl£32,000 to a diversified group with a property portfolio conservatively valued in the region of €800 million. Glenkerrin has been built organically and turnover has grown by over 500% since 2003.

Construction projects include both residential and commercial developments. Current and recent developments include – The Grange, Ballintyre, St. Wolstan’s Abbey, Palmerstown, Newbridge and The Maynooth Business Campus. Hotel & Leisure services include accommodation, conferencing, banqueting, restaurant, night-club and leisure complex and spa. 

Their property division in both Ireland and UK caters for customers ranging from first time residential buyers, owner occupiers and investors. Their planned UK commercial development will focus on well known High Street retailers. In Ireland their commercial customers include the OPW, national and international companies.

Entrepreneurial Questions

What vision prompted you to start up in business?
My vision when starting out was to be a success. I developed a range of skills which included welding, mechanics, construction and tiling. Having decided on construction as the industry to focus my career, my vision was to build a successful company and become a leading player within the sector with a reputation for quality.

Describe your progression from start up to your current status?
I worked to build up sufficient capital to purchase eight house-sites for my first development.  From there I continued to invest the profits and experience into bigger and more complex ventures. The Group now has approximately 3,500 units under development or in planning, two hotels, a leisure centre and a business campus including both industrial units and high spec offices.

What was the biggest risk you have taken?
The biggest risk that I have ever taken was the purchase of a residential site in Newbridge for £7.25M in 1997. This development represented a significant change in size and complexity from previous developments undertaken. I risked both my financial and business reputation on the success of this development and thankfully I am around to tell the tale.

Who or what has most contributed to your success?
I am key contributor to the success of the Glenkerrin Group. I have the drive, the ambition and the appetite for risk to bring the group to where it is today. I believe in delegation and team work and that I could not have achieved this level of success without the assistance of my brother Danny and a team of like minded and committed people.

What is your biggest business achievement?
The residential development at Ballintyre is my biggest business achievement to date. Some commentators were sceptical when, in 2003 I paid the highest price per acre ever paid totalling €52M. However; I was convinced of my vision for this site. This development has not only been a financial success but also it has been recognised for its design, layout and quality, winning the Residential Property award for the Development of the Year in 2005.

What is the best piece of business advice you ever received?
I listen to wide ranging views and opinions but ultimately when making a decision I go with my “gut feeling” When starting out in business my uncle advised me to trust my own instinct, telling me that” that a man who doesn’t take a risk never made anything”. Through out my career I have adhered to this simple maxim and it has served me well,

Express the biggest challenge you see your industry facing.
The biggest challenge facing the industry is persuading the planning authorities to embrace high density developments. I strongly believe that this is the solution to the unsustainable urban sprawl that is crippling our infrastructure and offers a real alternative through the design of high rise units which can provide the structure and social requirements for family living.

Name a famous international entrepreneur you most admire and why?   I am an admirer of Michael O Leary of Ryanair who has been extremely influential in changing the European air transport market making travel affordable and therefore available to all. Michael is confident, he is ambitious, and he is suitably aggressive in taking on the Establishment and challenging the status quo. He is innovative and creative in the execution of his strategy.

How do you re-charge your batteries?
I thrive on overcoming challenges that I set for myself both personally and I in business. Over the years I have completed the Dublin City Marathon; I have qualified as a pilot and now fly my own helicopter. I enjoy horse riding, diving, water and snow skiing. My current challenge is building a sports car. I am also a keen sports follower with particular interest in GAA, rugby, golf and horse racing.