Fighting spirit makes Smyth Engineering a success story

Sean Smyth, a Faughalstown native, has a remarkable story of resilience, growth, and local success. Together with his wife, Theresa, Sean established their civil engineering business in Ballymore in 1999 having originally worked as a sole trader for three years.

Today, 25 years later, the company operates out of a modern office in Mullingar, employing nearly 50 people and taking on diverse civil engineering projects across the midlands and beyond.

“We started as sole traders before officially setting up the business in 1999,” Sean explains. “It was just myself, Theresa, and three or four lads back then, working mainly on local projects from our base in Ballymore.”

In 2020, the business relocated to Mullingar Business Park to accommodate its growing team and expanded operations. Over the years, Sean Smyth Civil Engineering has taken on increasingly ambitious projects, moving from small-scale local works to more complex ventures in Dublin and elsewhere.

Their work includes preCivil planning, demolition and civil projects. Estimating budgets, scheduling work, site investigation, planning, permitting and document review are all part of the initial stage. The ground work is wide-ranging and includes earth moving, drainage and tree felling. Projects covered include commercial, industrial, educational and residential.

“Our work covers road construction, site preparation for housing developments, and all associated groundwork,” says Sean. “We’ve also branched into heavy civil engineering, including bridges and culverts. For example, we’re currently working on a major project in Dunboyne that involves significant heavy civils.”

Despite its expansion, the company remains rooted in its core values of hard work, quality, and reliability. “We’re proud to have reached this 25-year milestone, especially considering the challenges we’ve faced along the way.”

Numerous projects have been successfully overseen and managed. Alongside general civil works, they provide an extensive range of services tailored to meet specific needs, including project management and various delivery systems.

The company takes great pride in its ‘personal touch,’ with its Managing Director, Sean, playing a central role, serving as the primary point of contact for all projects and personally visits every site.

The company has previously had multi-million euro contracts with Glenveagh Homes, Sisk, GEM Construction, Elliott Group and currently, Castlethorn, Western Building Systems, Comer Bros and Kelbuild Ltd.

Overcoming challenges

Like many businesses, Sean Smyth Civil Engineering has faced its share of hurdles. “In 2018, we were hit hard and it brought us to the floor, and we had to start rebuilding almost from scratch.”

But rebuild they did. “At the moment, we’ve never been busier. The work is healthy, but it’s still a month-by-month game. The stakes are high - if a client goes into liquidation, you’re left exposed with retention money and work in progress,” he explains.

Sean attributes much of the company’s success to his dedicated team. “We’ve over 50 people working with us now, including our longest serving member of staff, Site manager Tommy Loftus, and our Contracts Manager, Paul Murphy at the core of operations. Our two office staff, Olivia Meares, office manager, who helped steer us to where we are today and Catherine Boyle, who handles accounts, and keep everything running smoothly.”

With a thriving business and a strong team, Sean Smyth Civil Engineering is a shining example of a local enterprise achieving long-term success while navigating the challenges of the modern construction industry.

As Sean reflects, “It’s been 25 years of hard work, but it’s all been worth it.”

A strong hurling bond with Fr Dalton’s

Sean Smyth’s deep connection to Fr Dalton’s Hurling Club runs through his family and his dedication to the organisation. Currently serving as treasurer, Sean is part of a committee that includes chairman Brian McCabe and secretary Denis O’Roarke. Together, they oversee a thriving club that has enjoyed significant success in recent years, including winning the Senior ‘B’ Championship for the second time.

Sean’s two sons, Luke and Ivan, are key players in the senior team, which is brimming with youthful talent. Reflecting on their achievements, Sean noted that the club's underage teams have been laying the groundwork for future success. "In 2022, the Under-15s won the Premier Division One for the first time in the club’s history. That was a massive achievement," he said. Under his, Brian McCabe’s, Denis O’Roarke’s and Thomas ‘Spike’ McCormack’s guidance, that historic win marked the club’s first venture into Division One - and they won it outright.

The success didn’t stop there. "This year, they’ve won at Under 14, the minor grade, and topped the Under 12 league. The senior team has also brought home the Senior ‘B’ title, and now we’re preparing for the Junior ‘B’ final against Southern Gaels." He acknowledged the rivalry between the two clubs, adding, "Southern Gaels will be all out to stop us. They’ll be fired up, especially as we beat them in the minor final this year."

Legacy

Fr Dalton’s has come a long way since being reformed in 2007, following a difficult period that saw the club cease activity in 1998 after struggling in the aftermath of the 1991 Intermediate Hurling Final defeat to St Oliver Plunkett’s. An underage amalgamation with Southern Gaels proved pivotal in rebuilding, and the club has gone from strength to strength.

The Ballymore football club plays a vital role in Fr Dalton’s setup, with shared playing facilities that have been significantly upgraded in recent years. "The new hurling wall, gym and pitch improvements have turned it into a great venue for games," Sean said.

The passing of Mickey Kincaid earlier this year, marked a sad note for Fr Dalton's. The father of father of Kenneth and Enda, two senior players, was one of the club's founding members.

Sean himself has hurling in his blood, with strong ties to the Ringtown club where he played until moving to England at 17. "All I wanted to do was get back and play for Ringtown," he shared. Returning to Ireland in 1996 with his wife, Theresa, he settled in Ballymore and became an integral part of Fr Dalton’s. For the past 15 years, he’s been a consistent presence at the club, not only as treasurer but also as its main sponsor.

The road ahead

Looking to the future, Sean is optimistic about the senior team’s prospects. "We’ve got a relatively young team, and the focus now is on consolidating our place in the top grade. Momentum is key, and coming into the final this year, we had 30 players at training – something unheard of when we first won the Senior ‘B’ Championship."

However, challenges remain, particularly for dual players who juggle commitments with football clubs like Ballymore, Milltown, Maryland, Tang, Rosemount, Caulry and Moate All Whites. "It’s a big issue," Sean admitted. "These lads are playing every week, and with training on top of that, it’s serious dedication."

Under the experienced guidance of Eamon Gallagher, who joined the club in 2023, the senior team has been well-prepared. Gallagher, a vastly experienced coach with stints at Castletown Geoghegan, Raharney, and Westmeath, has embraced the Fr Dalton’s ethos. "He’s definitely bought into the club," Sean said.

The year ahead holds plenty of promise, and a victory in the Junior ‘B’ final would be the perfect way to cap off an already remarkable season.

"We have a dinner dance planned for February 1, and it would be fantastic to have three cups on display, the Senior ‘B’, the minor, and hopefully the Junior ‘B’.”

In further welcome news, Ballymore’s Joe Martin is now president of Westmeath GAA, a significant honour, following in the footsteps of the late Peter Geraghty.