Following a landmark year of technical achievement, export growth and continued investment in people and innovation, Castle Group has further strengthened its position as one of Ireland’s leading offsite construction specialists. With over two decades of experience behind it, the company continues to evolve in response to market needs while remaining grounded in strong relationships and engineering excellence.
The most significant recent milestone for the business is the achievement of NSAI Agrément certification for its modular building system, covering structures of up to 30 metres in height. This makes Castle Group the only actively trading company in Ireland with certified capability at this scale, enabling its system to be used across residential, commercial and healthcare developments.
“Being the only company in the country that is actively trading with certification up to 30 metres is a major point of difference for us,” explains Eoin Waldron, General Manager. “We’re very confident it will open the door to substantial new opportunities going forward.”
Securing the certification required a sustained investment of approximately €1,200,000 over four years, alongside an intensive programme of acoustic testing, structural testing, thermal modelling and more than 12 fire tests. Eoin describes it as a watershed moment, not just for Castle Group but for the wider industry in Ireland, proving that high‑rise offsite construction can meet the country’s demanding regulatory standards.
Castle Group’s success is rooted in adaptability. The business began nearly 30 years ago as a fit‑out contractor, gradually expanding and pivoting in line with client needs. The launch of its modular division in 2018 was driven by a practical industry challenge rather than a change in strategy.
“Every pivot we’ve taken has been about helping clients solve real problems,” adds Eoin. “The modular division started because the wider industry had an issue with bathrooms, so we began building bathroom pods. From there, we were asked to take on more complex and larger volumetric modules.”
Today, Castle Group operates two highly integrated divisions — fit‑out and modular — which frequently work together on the same projects. This dual capability has proven particularly effective in sectors such as data centres, pharmaceuticals and other high‑tech environments, where precision, quality and programme certainty are critical.
“Our strength is in complex and technical projects. Where we can offer both fit‑out and modular solutions on one job, that’s where we perform best and where clients see the most value.”
While the Irish market remains important, Castle Group has increasingly looked outward to sustain growth. Modular units are now being exported to the UK and mainland Europe, including projects as far as Warsaw, while the company has also secured overseas fit‑out contracts in the data centre sector. This export focus reflects the inconsistent pipeline for modular construction domestically, particularly in residential delivery.
Despite a well‑documented housing emergency, Eoin notes that many public-sector modular projects remain small-scale pilot schemes, making it difficult for manufacturers to achieve the volume required for sustainable growth. Exporting, while not the first choice, has become a necessity to maintain momentum and create jobs.
Supporting that growth is a strong emphasis on people. Castle Group has exceptionally low staff turnover, with many employees staying for close to 20 years and, in some cases, multiple generations of the same family working within the business. The company actively supports further education, professional training and internal progression, alongside a comprehensive employee wellbeing programme.
Looking ahead, Castle Group’s short‑term objectives are firmly focused on increasing export activity in the pharma and data centre sectors, while remaining ready to scale domestically should Ireland’s modular housing frameworks mature.
With advanced certification, a robust technical offering and a proven ability to adapt, Castle Group continues to demonstrate how Irish offsite construction can compete — and succeed — on an international stage.
