Mullingar is the latest town to benefit from a Hollioake Homes housing scheme. Director John Doody, a keen hurling supporter, spoke to Cian O Raghallaigh about the development. Hollioake Homes has built over 1000 homes in Ireland since its establishment seven years ago. Formed by Managing Director David Dalton along with John Doody, another company director, the firm has delivered a second-to-none service to its customers since its establishment. With headquarters in Terenure, they have completed several successful developments all over the country since 1999. These include Tullyhall and Rossberry in Lucan, Millbrook in Navan, Newborough in Gorey, Lanesborough in Finglas and the Belfry at Citywest. Hollioake Homes also offer excellent starter homes for First Time Buyers. Born in Cork, company director John Doody is a keen hurling follower and has watched the Kilkenny-Cork hurling saga over the last few years with interest. Currently residing in Wicklow, he is hoping that the county's football fortunes will improve this year. The arrival of Mick O'Dwyer, he believes, might be a springboard to better things. Well with Micko involved with Wicklow, they might do something. They have been in the doldrums a long time so maybe that will change," he says. With housing still booming all over the country, companies such as Hollioake Homes are helping the long-term future of towns such as Mullingar. The town had a population of 18,529 when the 2006 census was carried out. With such a high population, this development can only help entice more people into the area. With thriving GAA clubs such as St Lomans, Mullingar Shamrocks and St Oliver Plunketts in the area, the new developments can surely only help clubs such as these to thrive in future years. With hundreds of houses to be built, there is potentially a big GAA pick up in time to come. The Mullingar development is one of the major projects which Hollioake Homes is undertaking at the moment. John acknowledges that many people are opting for the more affordable housing available in Mullingar rather than taking up residence in Dublin. In describing the current development, he said that it is geared towards first-time buyers. "There are a total of 347 units altogether consisting of a mix of 2,3 & 4 bed housing units, 2 bed duplex units and 1 & 2 bed apartments. The site is located in the Rathgowan area of the town on the new C-Link road giving easy access to the N4/M4 and a 45 minute journey time to the M50 in Dublin. It's a three-year project geared towards first-time buyers," he says. Outside of Mullingar there are a number of other developments with which the company are involved. We are doing a prestigious development at Williamstown Stud Clonee Co. Meath consisting of 99 detatched houses ranging in size from 2,500 to 3,600 square feet spread over 57 acres. "We do a mixture from the small and large developments. In Navan Co.Meath, we have completed a development of 214 units while in Finglas there are a total of 324 units completed. In Gorey we have built 148 units,while in Tullyhall, Lucan there are 156 units completed with a new phase of 64 units just starting and in Citywest south Dublin, there are 208 units built," he says. With more affluence in Ireland than ever before, people's expectations have become higher. The Mullingar development is an example of how Hollioake Homes has responded to these expectations. It is sharper in design, he says, than traditional housing. The Nordic Pine windows on the outside help to improve the look of the houses while the eco-joist flooring system means that they do not need to use as much timber. These are just some of the extensive features which Hollioake Homes uses to appeal to the customer. So what about the housing demand? "Like anywhere, it is high. Here in Mullingar your euro goes much further than it would in Dublin, for the price of a 1 bed Dublin apartment you can purchase a 3 bed house with private garden," he says. John has been involved in the business for over 35 years. Hollioake Homes currently employs 24 people directly. The company also has around 150 sub-contractors. The company started with units of 50 or more and things progressed from there. Hollioake Homes, he says, always strive to do things to a high standard. And perhaps it is a testament to their profession alism that the majority of their employees have remained with them since they started. Now with the business well-established, Hollioake Homes can look forward to contributing to the long-term future of Mullingar. With housing demand at an all-time high, Hollioake Homes development can become one of the more important projects in Mullingar this year. Tweet

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