Project outline

Murphy Ireland was employed by Maveric Contractors to construct a 1,200mm diameter secant pile wall, as part of the redevelopment of the 5 star Ashford Castle Hotel and Spa. The wall was designed by Byrne Looby to contain a brand new swimming pool and spa area and also to support a three storey Italian glass conservatory. 

"Maveric Contractors commissioned Murphy at Ashford Castle for a complex piling project, adjacent to the Lough Corrib shoreline. The piling rigs had to work to very tight tolerances, in very close proximity to the castle walls. Murphy completed the difficult project to an exacting standard inside a very tight time frame. We compliment the entire Murphy team and look forward to working with them again" - Maurice McNamara, Managing Director of Maveric Contractors 

Key challenges 

The programme was very short so MIL decided to put two Bauer MBG24 piling rigs on the job, in order to finish on time. The site itself was very tight for two 65T rigs, but MIL’s trained and experienced staff ensured there were no near misses or any other safety issues on site. 

The castle foundations were built off very strong limestone with the rock level dropping off as you travel south from the castle towards Lough Corrib, with water bearing gravels above. 

Key facts 

• 1,200mm diameter piles at 1,350mm centres 
• Pile lengths from 4.0 – 5.0m 
• 1.8 – 3.2m, 1060mm diameter rock sockets into very hard limestone 

Services we offer 

• Rotary open bored piling from 300mm to 1,500mm diameter and up to 40m in depth 
• Secant, contiguous and king post pile walls 
• Structural bearing piles 
• Sheet pile walls and cofferdams 
• Driven piles – precast concrete, steel section, solid section, timber and cast iron 
• Load bearing, tension and crane-base piles 
• CFA piling rigs from 300mm to 900mm diameter and 26m in depth