Island House, Killybegs, Co. Donegal
McMenamin Engineering Ltd
Finalist in: Constructional Steelwork – Buildings
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The Story
As part of the Killybegs Town Centre Regeneration, Island House is the civic anchor at the centre of this busy fishing port in Donegal. Linking community, commerce, and culture this landmark building will host a tourist facility at ground level and a digital hub at the upper levels.
The development will enhance the town’s overall appeal, creating an inviting environment for the community, tourists, and businesses, making it a more desirable place to visit, work in and invest in. As a catalyst for the town's redevelopment, Island House is a striking 3 storey building in a prominent location on the edge of the pier in the centre of Killybegs.
McMenamin Engineering supplied the structural steel, metal decking and purlins for this 3-storey building. Located near a busy public road and at the edge of a working pier, strict safety measures were enforced during the steel installation phase. Restricted access to this tight waterfront building site, located at the edge of the pier, presented a challenge to the steel erectors.
With limited access for deliveries and the erection of the steel structure, careful planning ensured that the speed of this steel structure installation was not impacted. The fabrication and detailing of the three-storey steel structure required a high level of precision and coordination to meet both structural and architectural specifications.
McMenamin Engineering undertook full responsibility for producing detailed steel drawings, ensuring all components were accurately modelled and coordinated with other trades. Once approved, the structural steel elements—including columns, beams, and bracing—were fabricated in-house to exact standards, using high-quality materials and cutting-edge machinery.
Each element was labelled and prepared for efficient transport and assembly on- site, ensuring the erection process could proceed smoothly and in line with the project schedule.
"Island House, Killybegs, deserves recognition in the Irish Steel Awards in the Constructional Steelwork Buildings category as McMenamin Engineering delivered a complex, high- precision steel structure on a logistically challenging, waterfront site. Meticulous planning, coordination, and commitment to safety all contributed to seamless integration of steel detailing, fabrication, and erection, all while maintaining the highest standards of quality and efficiency. As a landmark civic building central to the regeneration of Killybegs, Island House not only showcases innovative steel construction but also contributes meaningfully to the community, commerce, and culture of the region."
— McMenamin Engineering
Project Team
McMenamin Engineering worked in close collaboration with the main contractor, MDT Construction, and the design team – McCabe Architects and DSM Consulting Engineers – demonstrating a strong commitment to quality, safety, and on-time delivery throughout the project.
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2025 Irish Steel Awards Finalist
Congratulations to McMenamin Engineering Ltd for being Shortlisted for an Irish Steel Award!
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