Ronan Columb, Group Managing Director, Castlethorn

Castlethorn, a leading Irish real estate developer, is scaling up residential delivery amidst Ireland's housing drive. Managing Director Ronan Columb outlines a strategy focused on large-scale placemaking, aiming for 2,000-2,500 unit completions annually by late next year. A pivot towards residential projects is fuelling growth, with 3,500 units currently on-site and a substantial land pipeline. Key to Castlethorn's approach is delivering comprehensive infrastructure alongside housing, exemplified by projects like Adamstown, where the company built the railway station. Columb emphasises the need for accelerated policy implementation by state bodies to match the industry's pace, particularly regarding planning and utility engagement. While praising government initiatives, he flags inconsistent local authority engagement and judicial review risks as potential roadblocks. The company champions Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) to enhance efficiency, while advocating for collaborative infrastructure delivery models, referencing the successful Port Access Northern Cross Route project. Columb stresses that for Ireland to address its housing crisis, the public sector must align with industry urgency to enable developers to meet ambitious targets. Read More