Home Builders
Tina Marie O’Neill, Donal Buckley, Killian Woods, Catherine Sanz and Emmet Ryan profile the key 100 individuals in the property industry
Michael Stanley
co-founder and chief executive, Cairn Homes
Michael Stanley co-founded Cairn Homes, has been at its helm since 2013, and steered it to a stock market launch in 2015.
With a strong background in residential development and the property industry, he has played a pivotal role in shaping Cairn into a prominent property player.
Under his leadership, Cairn has built over 10,000 homes for more than 25,000 people. His vision for the company focuses on creating sustainable communities where people can thrive, and investing in those spaces.
In 2024, Stanley and his team achieved a 29 per cent annual growth in revenue to €859 million and a 32 per cent growth in operating profit to €150 million. Last year also saw significant investment in construction activities with over 4,100 new home commencements, including 10 new large-scale developments.
As well as selling directly to home buyers, since 2022 Stanley has recorded over 6,200 homes delivered or under construction for state-backed bodies including 4,700 homes to approved housing bodies and 1,500 homes to the Land Development Agency.
DB
In 2024, Stanley and his team achieved a 29 per cent annual growth in revenue to €859 million and a 32 per cent growth in operating profit to €150 million
Rick Larkin
Executive director, Twinlite
Rick Larkin is the more high-profile member of the Larkin dynasty whose Twinlite group operates as the only end-to-end residential landlord in Ireland that designs, builds and operates its properties entirely in-house. This is partly thanks to a bespoke AI software platform which drives cost efficiencies.
Its developments include 2,119 units at Tyrrelstown in west Dublin over a 10-year period, 658 apartments in Clongriffin, north Dublin; 101 apartments at Marietta Woods, Dalkey and it is currently finishing 144 units in Skerries.
Its Vesta PRS platform now manages more than 1,000 apartments.
Its commercial projects include a second Dublin hotel with 90 bedrooms at Bolton Street. It already owns the 155-bedroom Carlton hotel in Blanchardstown and is seeking further opportunities to meet its target of 500 rooms in Dublin.
Twinlite, established by Rick’s father Eugene and supported by his brother Michael, has also undertaken overseas work, most notably the global headquarters for Prudential plc in London.
DB
Michael O’Flynn
Chairman and chief executive, O’Flynn Group
Michael O’Flynn has been called a lot of things in his lifetime, from the ‘Mufti of Jerusalem’ by a High Court judge, to a “driven and visionary” leader of his successful property development empire.
But even his most ardent critics agree that he is immensely passionate about his work and regards himself as playing an important role in solving the ongoing housing crisis.
As chairman and chief executive of O’Flynn Group, a firm he founded in the late 1970s, O’Flynn oversaw the company’s transition from a purely residential outfit to one that also focuses on commercial, retail and industrial properties, as well as on student accommodation and senior living facilities.
He was also a member of the Irish Housing Commission and continues to appear regularly in the media, providing commentary on the latest proposals to accelerate the delivery of homes.
When he was recently awarded the 2025 lifetime achievement award at the Business Post National Property Awards, O’Flynn said he was “humbled and honoured”.
CS
Isabelle Gallagher
Head of development, Evara
Isabelle Gallagher is head of development for Quintain Ireland, the residential developer that has just rebranded as Evara. She has been instrumental in overseeing the firm’s expanding portfolio since she joined the company in 2019.
Gallagher has worked to help it secure planning permission for 1,800 residential units in Adamstown over the past two years, including the development of the Crossings urban village. The developer, which is backed by investment from TPG Real Estate, a Texas-based investment fund, announced last month that it had funding in place to expand its housing output to 1,500 homes a year.
Evara is also active on site at its St Marnock’s Bay development in Portmarnock, Co Dublin, where 172 homes are under construction. It has planning permission to build 195 more homes on these lands, while a further 300 homes for the lands are at the pre-planning stage.
CS
Connor Owens
Director of Ireland, Hammerson plc
As director of Ireland at Hammerson plc, Connor Owens has responsibility for three of Ireland’s major shopping centres Dundrum Town Centre, the Ilac Centre and Swords Pavilions, and two key projects in the Irish planning log-jam.
The latter includes Dublin Central on O’Connell Street, where Bord Pleanála has approved almost 100 new homes as well as restaurants, cafés, shops workspace and about 200 hotel rooms. It would revitalise Ireland’s main street but is held up by an objectors’ judicial review.
Owens is also reviewing strategy on the redevelopment of Dundrum’s older shopping centre following Bord Pleanála’s planning refusal for 800-plus new apartments and facilities. He has to decide whether to seek a judicial review or recalibrate its plans.
Formerly head of asset management and recovery at Nama, Owens recently played a key role in one of the country’s biggest refinancing deals – a €570 million loan for Dundrum Town Centre.
DB
Stephen Garvey
Chief executive, Glenveagh Properties plc
Stephen Garvey was appointed chief executive officer of Glenveagh Properties plc in August 2019 and is responsible for delivering on the group’s plan to create Ireland’s leading and most sustainable homebuilder.
Garvey has over 20 years’ experience in the industry and prior to founding his own residential development business, Bridgedale Homes, he worked with some of Ireland’s largest developers. From 2014 to 2017 he managed acquisitions of residential development opportunities on behalf of Oaktree’s associate, TIO RLF.
At Glenveagh he delivered over 2,400 homes in 2024 – up 77 per cent on 2023 – and boosted revenues by 43 per cent to €869 million. The company has two key divisions. Its homebuilding division sells own-door single-family homes, primarily in the greater Dublin area. Its property partnerships division undertakes construction of housing, often funded or acquired by state entities. For instance, it recently commenced construction of 337 units for the Land Development Agency at Cork Docklands.
DB
Conor Rhatigan
Managing director, Winterbrook
Winterbrook is a family-owned and operated property development company known for delivering high-quality residential and mixed-use developments in sought-after locations.
Notable projects include the Lookout on Harbour Road in Dalkey; Sika Woods, Enniskerry; Westminster Wood, Foxrock, D18, Dalriada, Knocklyon, Dublin 16; the mixed-use project, Hanover Quay in Dublin 2 and Corr Castle in Howth and the Southpoint Business Park on the M50/M11.
The company is led by Conor Rhatigan, who joined the family business in 2016 and took over as managing director in 2024. The firm was founded by his father, veteran developer and company director Francis Rhatigan.
Joining both of them on the team are Conor’s siblings Emma Drohan, Winterbrook’s development director and Kate Rhatigan, the firm’s design and policy director.
TM
Deirdre Reilly
Chief operating officer, McGarrell Reilly
Deirdre Reilly serves as the chief operating officer at her family-based property development company, McGarrell Reilly Group. She holds a PhD in property finance, a master’s in finance, and a bachelor’s degree in business studies, all from Trinity College Dublin.
Since joining the 44-year old family firm in 2009, Reilly has advanced from asset manager to investment director, and now chief operating officer.
Under her leadership, the company has diversified its property portfolio across various sectors and regions. Notably, she has been instrumental in the development of Charlemont Square, a landmark project in Dublin 2, emphasising wellness and modern workplace amenities.
An accomplished show jumper, when Reilly is not co-running the family business with her brother, Raymond Reilly, she is likely to be found at Derryglen, the stud farm she set up on her family farm in Dunboyne, Co Meath in 2021.
TM
John Maxwell
Chief executive, Lioncor
John Maxwell heads up Lioncor, a residential developer jointly owned by global fund manager Oaktree and Alanis, an Irish development and investment company. He is delivering thousands of new homes nationwide and in 2020 established Lioncor Construction to build them.
Lioncor expects to deliver 4,000 apartments for Oaktree at the Glass Bottle site in Sandymount. It is currently building 894 of these and has consent for a further 542 units.
Within two months it expects to complete 246 luxury apartments at Alta Verde, Cross Avenue, Blackrock, Dublin and expects to see units occupied this summer.
It recently commenced work on 471 units at Marmalade Lane, Dundrum which it expects to complete in the first half of 2027. It is currently selling 63 apartments at 143 Merrion Road, Dublin 4.
Another aspect of its business is its investment portfolio and its Domu division rents out homes in Dublin 4, Dundrum, Blackrock, Carrickmines and Kimmage.
DB
John O’Shaughnessy
Managing director, Clancy Construction
John O’Shaughnessy joined Clancy Construction in 1992 and worked his way up from contracts manager to become managing director in 2013. He has grown the business and last year he practically doubled its turnover to €141 million and is on course to hit €160 million this year. This puts the company well above its earlier target of €130 million by the end of 2025.
Established in 1947, the Irish building contractor has extensive experience across healthcare, education, residential and conservation projects and has integrated innovative construction methods to enhance project delivery and quality.
His innovative approaches are reflected in the Ashlin House student accommodation in Cork, a €52.5 million development comprising 554 beds across 77 apartments. Clancy utilised off-site construction techniques, manufacturing frames and bathroom pods in controlled environments before on-site assembly. This not only reduced on-site personnel requirements but also accelerated timelines, achieving weatherproofing of individual blocks within 18 weeks and internal finishes in 16 weeks.
In Dublin, Clancy is building 86 apartments and a library in Stillorgan village for Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.
DB
Joe O’Reilly
Co-founder and chief executive, Castlethorn Group
During his 35 years as a developer, Joe O’Reilly has delivered some of the most iconic real estate projects in Ireland.
Castlethorn’s most notable achievements include Dundrum Town Centre, a landmark shopping destination with 111,484 square meters of retail space, South King Street office and retail complex, Bord Gáis Energy Theatre and Facebook’s European HQ.
In the residential sector, O’Reilly has led the delivery of tens of thousands of homes, including the luxury Lansdowne Place in Ballsbridge. He conceived and implemented the Adamstown strategic development zone, along with two other developers which included installing key infrastructure including a railway station and schools in advance of housing developments.
His notable South Dublin projects include Belarmine, Holmwood and Avoca schemes as well as creating west Dublin developments in Castleknock and Luttrellstown.
Castlethorn is currently delivering 3,500 houses and apartments on a number of sites located between Drogheda, Co Louth, and Shankill in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown.
DB
Padraic Rhatigan
Chairman and group managing director,
JJ Rhatigan & Co
Padraic Rhatigan has built up JJ Rhatigan & Company to operate four divisions: construction, development to sell, development to invest, and hospitality in Dublin, Galway, Cork, Sligo and the UK.
Each division operates on a ring- fenced basis. Construction generates annual turnover of €500 million building schools and healthcare facilities and some projects for developers. Its UK operations are focused on construction.
Its current two major development projects include Crown Square, a mixed-use complex in Galway where it has sold an office block to Galway City Council. A second office block has attracted four tenants including an IT company and Uisce Éireann.
Rhatigan also secured Radisson Red to operate Crown Square’s hotel while he has forward-sold 345 apartments to the Land Development Agency which will be completed by the end of 2026. He will start work on another 13,935 square metres of offices there by this autumn.
In Dublin, he has created Le Pole Square which includes the Royal Convention Centre, a 234-bed Radisson Hotel and 18,600 square metres of offices close to Dublin Castle.
Group assets under management, comprising offices, hotels and hospitality, are valued at around €450 million.
DB
Pat Crean
Chief executive, Marlet Property Group
Pat Crean became a major player in Irish property after the financial crash when he accumulated a number of Dublin sites with high-density residential potential. Armed with this landbank, he convinced global investor M&G to back him and Marlet was launched.
Since then he created an impressive series of landmark developments including the Sorting Office in the south docklands for which he secured TikTok’s European headquarters. He is currently completing the first phase of College Square facing Trinity College, which will provide 51,097 square metres of offices and feature Ireland’s tallest residential building at 22 storeys.
To date he has also delivered over 3,000 homes, including a 512-apartment scheme in Howth and 596 homes adjacent to Guinness Storehouse in Dublin 8. He also acquired a portfolio of four retail parks, the most lucrative retail sector, in four locations across the country. While he has sold a portion of Marlet’s developments, he has retained most of them and its portfolio is now valued at over €2.5 billion. The group’s DUBLIV division manages 2,000 rental apartments.
With an eye on the future, the Kerryman and former estate agent continues to expand Marlet’s residential and hospitality pipelines and plans over 8,000 residential units. Crean also has three hospitality projects in the pipeline, including a hostel on Abbey Street in Dublin city centre.
DB
Brian McKeon
Construction director, MKN Property Group
The McKeon family has been building homes in Dublin for decades and most of those on Dublin’s northside. In advance of his retirement, in 1996 father Sean established the MKN Property Group and appointed his three adult children as directors: Brian in charge of construction, John in legal and financial management, and Niamh managing rental properties.
One of its biggest developments is the Ridgewood estate in Swords which was completed in 2019 with 1,600 houses and apartments. It is currently planning another 750 units in Fingal’s capital. While it retains a number of its apartment and commercial developments, it is currently building 82 apartments across from Airside in Swords and plans to sell those in one lot.
Its landmark East Wharf project near the corner of East Road and Alfie Byrne Road in Dublin 3 comprises 88 apartments and a 15-storey hotel which will open in July under Marriott International’s Moxy brand.
Some projects have received international awards, notably the 150 Howth Road apartment complex. Its imaginative approach was also seen with Sutton Castle, an apartment complex which incorporated the period home of the Jameson whiskey family.
Today MKN is recognised as a multi-disciplinary property company with specialist teams working in construction, acquisitions, property development, property management, investment, lettings and interior design.
DB
Fergus Farrell
Chief commercial officer, Richmond Homes
Richmond Homes is a wholly owned subsidiary of Avestus Capital Partners, an Irish-owned real estate investment management company headquartered in Dublin. Avestus currently manages in excess of €1 billion of real estate assets in Ireland and central Europe.
Fergus Farrell, a chartered accountant, is the chief commercial officer at Richmond Homes and the head of Avestus Capital and has 20 years’ experience and a strong track record in sourcing, structuring, developing and managing complex real estate projects here, in the UK and in mainland Europe.
The owner of significant lands in north Dublin, Richmond Homes is developing in the greater Dublin areas for both the build to sell and build to rent (BTR) sectors.
Big-ticket properties in its portfolio include 564 BTR apartments at Sandyford Central in Dublin 18; 142 apartments at Roselawn on the Stillorgan Road, Foxrock, and nine luxury homes at Monterey in Sandymount, Dublin 4. It also built the landmark 148-apartment scheme at Eglinton Place in Donnybrook, Dublin 4 , which it sold to M&G for almost €100 million last year.
Its 125-acre landbank in Baldoyle, Dublin 13 which has consent for around 1,800 units, was purchased in 2019 for between €36 and €38 million. It was reported last summer that Richmond was in talks to sell the land to the Land Development Agency.
TM
Patrick Durkan
Chief executive, D/RES
Patrick Durkan is the chief executive of D/RES Properties and is also a director of Durkan Residential. The Durkan family has been involved in the construction sector since the 1970s.
Building on this background, Durkan has overseen the company’s involvement in large-scale residential projects. One of the most notable developments under Durkan Residential is Silken Park in Citywest, Co Dublin, which became Ireland’s largest certified passive house development. The project was recognised by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) in 2017, receiving the Sustainable Energy award.
At D/RES, Durkan has focused on sustainability and modern construction techniques. The company remains focused on residential property, with developments across Ireland, particularly in high-performance housing.
DB