PMcK Electrical puts the lights back on for one of Dundalk’s most iconic hotels, the Fairways, which has reopened after years of neglect, giving the town a much-needed injection of new jobs.
Built during the 1960s, the hotel was a popular venue for locals and passing trade. It was shut down for a number of years before East Coast Catering bought it with plans to reopen.
“This was a major project within Dundalk with a lot of local interest,” said James Devlin, Contract Manager. Working in conjunction with main contractor, Hollywood Developments, PMcK Electrical provided the full electrical services for this project. Onsite for one year, PMcK Electrical pulled out all the stops to ensure the hotel opened in time for two major events, a wedding and a fundraising night.
“For the main contractor this was a major commercial project as they normally work on domestic schemes throughout Ireland. So, our experience working on large commercial and industrial jobs across the UK meant we were perfectly equipped to mitigate any issues that arose along the way, so the project met the deadline very smoothly,” continued James.
“We had a good working relationship with the main contractor and we’d have no issue pricing or doing work for them again. It was a satisfying job in terms of the team working together to get the project completed.
“Seeing the hotel open again was very rewarding for us. There were a lot of eyes on this project because of the local history with the hotel. People were glad to see it reopen and create new jobs in Dundalk.”
‘High’ spec – ‘low’ energy
Successful businessman and former hotelier, Pat O’Callaghan, committed to bringing new life to his hometown, purchased the site of the former Fairways Hotel in 2015.
The recently reopened €12 million hotel includes 113 spacious bedrooms, excellent extensive conference and banqueting facilities with four large meeting rooms, a newly redesigned reception, bar and restaurant – all equipped by electrical contractor, PMcK Electrical.
“There was a considerable amount of high specification work involved in the overall project,” says James. “There was a big emphasis on energy efficiency throughout the works. Everything was LED lighting and low energy. The mechanical contractor M&P installed a renewable energy CHP heating unit and we put in all the electrical systems and heating controls associated with that.
“We installed the general power and lighting throughout the existing and new hotel bedrooms, the bar and restaurant – which included mood lighting dimmer controls – and external lighting.”
PMcK Electrical is fitted CCTV, security and access controls; a fire alarm system was designed along with disabled refuge, toilet alarms and a tailored telephone and data system. PMcK Electrical are accomplished at delivering large-scale projects, having just finished a 1,000 bedroom, 25-storey student accommodation block in Liverpool. This experience coupled with their existing, strong working relationship with ISD Engineering who was the mechanical and electrical consultant on the job meant that PMcK Electrical were the best fit for this major project. The finished hotel is a stunning building that has become a major employer for Dundalk.
PMcK Electrical, 47 Grange Road, Moy, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, BT71 7EQ
T: +44 (0)28 8778 4826
E: info@pmkelectrical.com
www.pmkelectrical.com
Sub-contractors:
Precision Switchgear and Controls, Dungannon. www.precisionswitchgear.com
Electrical Equipment Greentech, Belfast. E:belfast.224@eel.co.uk
