Under Construction with Chadwicks

During this captivating episode, Donncha O'Callaghan, Julian Benson and Dermot Bannon give insights into the challenges they have faced transforming a ‘period building that needs a lot of love and attention’ to a ‘home away from home’ for CF families. Dermot also shares his thoughts on the number of buildings in Dublin which should be ‘reused better’, saying there are some ‘great’ derelict buildings in the city that are not being repurposed successfully like they are in other European cities such as Barcelona and Paris.  Dermot believes that ‘a lot of the city of Dublin has fallen into dereliction’ and that in Ireland, ‘buildings are let go’ instead of being renovated to live up to their full potential. He says it only takes twenty minutes to walk anywhere in Dublin city centre before you ‘hit dereliction’ and that while it is ‘tricky’ to restore a derelict building, it is ultimately worthwhile. Dermot also speaks about the construction industry and believes that the government needs to do more to ‘protect skilled tradespeople’ especially at times when there isn’t work available for everyone. He also believes that there is a common misconception about careers in the trades industry, and that more needs to be done at second level, particularly through subjects such as engineering and wood technology (‘woodwork’) to educate students about what a career in the trades can look like.  Dermot shares the many positive benefits of working in different trades, as well as the skills it requires, such as creativity, problem solving, and teamwork. He feels that the government also need to ‘dispel the beliefs that some parents have about what education is’ and that completing third level education is a necessity, as it doesn’t suit all. Dermot Bannon also discusses the lack of women in the construction industry and how this issue could be tackled.

As part of our ‘How’s the Head’ campaign psychotherapist, broadcaster and author Richie Sadlier and comedian Willa White sat down with Donncha to discuss the topic of mental health. Throughout the episode, Richie and Willa explore the stigma surrounding mental health in Ireland, particularly amongst tradespeople, and openly share their own experiences grappling with mental health issues. If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this podcast, you can find support at aware.ie or The Samaritans at thesamaritans.org, or call 116123. Construction Workers can also contact lighthouseclub.org or call 1800 939122, or text Hardhat to 50808.  Alternatively, contact your local GP. If you are outside the Republic of Ireland, please contact support organisations in your country.

In this episode host Donncha O'Callaghan sits down with legendary football figure Roddy Collins and Bohemians Football Club captain Keith Buckley to discuss the exciting resurgence of the League of Ireland. Throughout the episode, the lads discuss the league's evolution, its growing competitiveness on the European stage, and the key factors driving its rise. Roddy also takes listeners on a nostalgic trip down memory lane, recounting his experiences at the iconic Dalymount Park and discussing the redevelopment.

To celebrate International Women’s Day, Donncha is joined by Tara Brennan, Head of Marketing & Development at Chadwicks Group as co-host and by guests, Director, CIF  Southern and Eastern Regions, Joanne Treacy and the Tarmacing Mammy, Shauna Doyle. Throughout the episode the panel   discuss the current state of diversity within the Irish construction sector, addressing both the progress made and the areas that still require attention. They also explore the hurdles faced in attracting more females to the construction industry in Ireland.

In this episode of Under Construction with Chadwicks, Donncha is joined by Cian Bonnichon, Sales Team Lead at Baumit as co-host and by guests, RTE 2fm presenter Carl Mullan & Interior designer and owner of the award-winning Coal Lane House, Stephanie O’Sullivan. Throughout the episode Carl and Stephanie discuss all things self builds and home renovations. They also share their experiences, challenges, and the joy of creating spaces that tell a unique story.

We love talking to people who get it done and Limerick Hurling Legends; Séamus Hickey, Shane Dowling & Tom Morrisey certainly know how to do that. The lads discuss the secret to Limerick's recent hurling success among other things. Host Donncha O Callaghan and Shane Dowling discuss punditry and tactics in hurling. The guys also discuss are Irish sports stars more comfortable being the underdogs? Does the tag of favourites sit heavy on the shoulders? We of course discuss the four in a row and the possibility of five in a row. The lads enjoyed our brand of pure site talk and hope you do too.

In Season 4 of Chadwicks' Under Construction podcast, Donncha O’Callaghan chats and has the craic with industry insiders, gets great tips on how to improve business and takes a peek behind the scenes at Chadwicks.

In the season finale of Under Construction with Chadwicks, hosts Pat and Donncha are joined by property portfolio developer and bestselling author of "Gaff Goddess" and "Décor Galore'' Laura de Barra and David Shiel, founder of YourRetrofit.ie, a free platform providing personalised plans for your retrofit to enable you to transform your BER, save on your energy bills & qualify for a green mortgage. Throughout the episode, Laura takes the opportunity to share her insights on the importance of embracing sustainable practices in our everyday lives. She challenges the traditional notion that DIY is solely for one gender and emphasizes the inclusive nature of her approach in "She-IY." David, the brilliant mind behind YourRetrofit.ie, is back to discuss his ground breaking platform. He discusses how personalized retrofit plans can significantly improve your Building Energy Rating (BER), reduce energy bills, and even qualify you for a green mortgage.

In this episode, hosts Pat and Donncha sit down with two incredible guests, Brian Pennie and Brian O'Sullivan. Brian Pennie, is a former heroin addict from Dublin who battled with addiction for 15 years and is now an accomplished author, public speaker PhD graduate and university lecturer. Brian O'Sullivan is a recovering addict from Cork who has had his own struggles over the years, been through the prison system but has changed his life around and is now a scaffolder. He also works with the Cork Alliance Centre – an organisation that provides supports for people during and post-prison. Throughout the episode, the two Brian's share their powerful journeys from the depths of addiction to the road to recovery. If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this podcast, you can find support at TheSamaritans.org or call 116123. Construction workers can also contact LighthouseClub.org or call 1800 939122, or text “Hardhat” to 50808. Alternatively, contact your local GP. If you are outside the Republic of Ireland, please contact support organisations in your country.

In this episode, hosts Pat Moore and Donncha are joined by author, TV personality and all-round champion of sustainability in construction Harrison Gardner and David Shiel, founder of YourRetrofit.ie, a free platform providing personalised plans for your retrofit to enable you to transform your BER, save on your energy bills & qualify for a green mortgage. Throughout the episode, Harrison shares some great insights on the importance of adopting sustainable habits in our everyday lives, while David introduces listeners to YourRetroift.ie, which offers customised plans for improving your home’s energy efficiency and lowering energy costs.

In this episode, hosts Pat Moore and Donncha are joined by Dublin Football royalty Philly McMahon and Nutritionist Ciara McNulty. Throughout the episode, Philly and Ciara shed light on two critical topics, Mental Health and Nutrition. They discuss the importance of diet and the impact it can have on our mental well-being. They also discuss the importance of mental health, how it’s connected with our diet, and explore ways to maintain a healthy balance between the two. If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this podcast, you can find support at TheSamaritans.org or call 116123. Construction workers can also contact LighthouseClub.org or call 1800 939122, or text “Hardhat” to 50808. Alternatively, contact your local GP. If you are outside the Republic of Ireland, please contact support organisations in your country.

In this episode, hosts Pat Moore and Donncha are joined by Kilkenny hurling’s finest TJ Reid, Talent Acquisition Manager and Social Media Influencer Niamh de Brún-Reid and Quantity Surveyor Shay Lally, who runs ‘houses to restore’ on Instagram, which showcases houses in need of restoration and has amassed 62K followers.    Throughout the episode, TJ, Niamh and Shay will be discussing home renovations in rural and urban areas and the benefits and the challenges that arise. TJ and Niamh will share their experiences from their own rural self-build and renovation journey and Shay will share some insights into urban projects from the perspective of a quantity surveyor.

In this episode, hosts Pat Moore and Donncha are joined by Maeve Murphy, Operations Manager of Benchspace Cork and Enda Egan, CEO of Mens Sheds. Benchspace Cork is a not for profit, social enterprise, established by makers for makers, from learner to professional. It provides a collaborative workspace for tradespeople & craftspeople to work. Men’s Sheds is a community based organisation that aims to improve the wellbeing of men through social interaction. There are over 400 registered sheds across Ireland with around 12,000 men visiting a shed every week.     Throughout the episode, Maeve and Enda discuss the impact of these initiatives on the community, including the positive effects on mental health, the benefit of learning new skills, and the sense of belonging.

In this episode, hosts Pat Moore and Donncha are joined by Kilkenny hurling legend JJ Delaney, retired Wexford hurler Thomas 'Mossy' Waters and current Wexford hurling captain Lee Chin.     Throughout the episode, the lads discuss their experiences working in the trades while pursuing their passion for hurling. They also explore the unique challenges that arise when trying to balance a demanding job with the rigorous schedule of today’s inter-county players and chat about why we are seeing less elite GAA players working in the trades.

In this episode, hosts Pat Moore and Donncha are joined by TikTok sensation and proud Cork man, Eoin Reardon! Eoin rose to TikTok stardom over the last couple of years and has amassed 2.7 million followers on the platform with his videos that share his passion for the craft of traditional woodworking.   Throughout the episode, Eoin shares his story of how he started on TikTok during lockdown and what inspired him to create content that has resonated with millions of viewers around the world. Eoin shares his valuable tips and insights on how to create engaging and viral content. He also discusses monetization (or lack of) on the TikTok platform. Keep an eye on what Eoin is working on: TikTok @pintofplane

In this episode, hosts Pat Moore and Donncha are joined by 3 guests with unique perspectives on working in trades in Ireland. Dr. Aidan Kenny started his career as an apprentice in the 1980s and now lectures at TU Dublin. Peter Finn, better known as ‘Pete the Builder’, began his career a little later than Aidan and is thriving as a Director of MDS Construction and the star of a number of TV projects. Finally, Luke Brennan recently completed his apprenticeship in painting at TU Dublin and will share his experiences as a young tradesperson entering the workforce. Throughout the episode, the guests will discuss how working in trades has evolved over the years, from traditional apprenticeships to the increased importance of technology and upskilling. They will share their experiences of working in the trades in Ireland, including the challenges they have faced and the rewards of their chosen careers. Keep an eye on what Pete is working on: Instagram @pete_thebuilder If you are an employer and would like to get involved with the Access to Apprenticeship program, please get in touch with the Access to Apprenticeship team on AccesstoApprenticeship@TUDublin.ie

We are back for another season of Under Construction with Chadwicks with a brand new host, Ireland & Munster Rugby Legend and Radio Presenter Donncha O'Callaghan. In this episode, hosts Pat Moore and Donncha speak to guests Kate Fahey and Amy O’Toole about the challenges of being a woman in the construction industry. Kate and Amy share their personal experiences of working in a male-dominated industry and how they overcome the obstacles they face on a daily basis. They also share their insights on how to encourage more women to pursue careers in construction, including the need for better career guidance in schools. Kate Fahey, was the youngest and only female tower-crane operator in the country last year when she was only 18. Instagram @katemfahey Amy O’Toole, an electrician by trade is now working as a project manager. Instagram @sparkygirlll

It’s the final episode of the season and hosts Pat Moore and Aidan Power have plenty to get through. First up, is well-known radio and TV star Baz Ashmawy, who chats about his role on the hit TV show DIY SOS.  Next, the lads talk to three Chadwicks branch managers: Mark O’Mahony, Branch Manager at Chadwicks Waterford, Sean O’Sullivan, Branch Manager at Chadwicks, Clonmel, and Michelle Fahy, Branch Manager at Chadwicks, Galway. The chat about the work they have done in their communities, including working on DIY SOS, and alongside the Irish Wheelchair Association.

On this week's episode hosts Pat Moore and Aidan Power chat all things heating. First up, Emmett Boylan, Regional Plumbing Manager at Chadwicks, talks about pricing, availability, and what's trending in plumbing. Then Shane Smith, Business Development at EPH Controls, chats about what's happening at EPH Controls and how their products can be used to save money and energy.  Finally, Keith Scully, Technical Manager at Grant Engineering, tells the lads about the history of innovation at Grant Engineering, and an exciting new product that is going to change how many homes are heated.

On this week's episode hosts Pat Moore and Aidan Power are looking at off-site construction with  Stephen Wright, Managing Director of BuildWright, and Kieran Holohon from Gyproc & ISOVER, Saint Gobain Ireland. They have a chat about some of the advantages of off-site construction, why it's growing as a building method, and some of ways it might future proof the building industry and help with the housing crisis.