O'Hanlon McSherry Building Developers, Armagh Road, Newry, are currently involved in a major housing development in County Monaghan. Contracts Manager Frank Glenn spoke to Cian O Raghallaigh. O'Hanlon McSherry Building Developers are currently involved in an important housing development scheme in County Monaghan. The company was founded by directors Dermot McSherry and Brendan O'Hanlon in 2003. Since that the company has been involved in a number of key housing schemes throughout the country. At the moment they are building houses in Scarnageeragh, Emyvale, Co. Monaghan. Contracts Manager Frank Glenn spoke about his own involvement in the company and his own role within the firm. "The company was founded by the two directors when they saw an opportunity for getting involved in housing development. Brendan controls the private developments in Armagh, Tyrone and Antrim whereas Dermot focuses on public housing construction. "I am with the company a few years at this stage. I'm involved in the public housing area - looking after the area of social housing and affordable housing. I deal with the local authority councils, both north and south. "I would normally be involved at the initial discussion phases of the work, liaising with County Councils and discussing the tender for work," he says. "I would be one of the company's main representative at all the meetings with the clients whereas Brendan O'Hanlon would be in a more site-based role." What then does the development in Monaghan involve? "This is the first housing development which we have done for Monaghan County Council. The development in Emyvale involves 36 houses between social and affordable houses. There are eight one-bedroom units, six two-bedroom units and the rest would be three-bedroom houses." The company is very busy. He stressed the importance of trying to meet deadlines on time in the industry. This was paramount in helping O'Hanlon McSherry maintain relationships. "Typically with the local authorities you have to try to deliver when requested. "In this industry it's all about maintaining a reputation and holding on to relationships all the time. Therefore we try to deliver jobs on time and on budget." Employing between 30 and 35 employees directly, this work is the company's first venture in County Monaghan. There are, he says, many challenges for the company to meet in this industry. The firm always has construction schedules to meet. O'Hanlon McSherry always have to consider whether a job is worthwhile taking part in. "O'Hanlon McSherry will always consider construction projects anywhere in the country based on an analysis of how effectively and efficiently we can manage the job. "This is very important in our considerations at tender stage," he says. Frank will be hoping that his native Armagh can go further than they went in 2007. A keen GAA man, he explains that he has been following the scene very closely for some time. 2007 will pose huge challenges to all in the Armagh setup but Dermot is hopeful that there will be success on the playing fields next season. Originally from Killeavy, he has been following the fortunes of his own clubman Steven McDonnell and the rest of the Armagh team for some time. "I played in school myself and I would still follow the scene very closely. It seems as though the spirit is still there in the county to go on and achieve something this year. Hopefully 2007 will bring a return to form. I'd follow Armagh whenever they are playing in the championship. Dermot and Brendan would still follow the scene closely as well," he says. Tweet

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