Proud day for the Callaghan family as Timeless Sash Windows rebuilds on site of devastating fire

From ashes to innovation. That was the uplifting message at the official ribbon cutting of the new production facility of Timeless Sash Windows built on the footprint of the premises gutted in a devastating blaze three years ago.

The fire that tore through the 11,000 sq ft joinery in just a matter of hours on 19th April, 2022 took with it nearly 50 years of the Callaghan family's blood sweat and tears left one crucial question in the embers. How could the business recover, what would become of the 50 or so jobs and their families?

The answer lay in the DNA of the Callaghan clan. Resilience, determination and sheer bloody-mindedness was the only course of action they could countenance, to rise from the ashes and build back better.

Thirty six months after that fateful April night, the company established by Gerry Callaghan in 1973 and now run by sons Barry and Pearse began a powerful new chapter in the company’s story, one that has seen the workforce almost double, the footprint of the original building grow bigger and vision for the future that sees only growth and expansion.

The family firm specialises in the design, manufacturing, and restoration of bespoke timber sash windows and doors and now boasts a near doubling of its workforce since the fire.

“Our team could have seen the fire as the end of our story,” said Managing Director Barry Callaghan. “Instead, we chose to see it as the beginning of something bigger, a chance to rebuild stronger, greener, and better than before.”

"We hope to create a net zero manufacturing premises with the new facility as a leader for sustainable manufacturing. Highlights include: Solar power, with 113kW of PV panels across the roof generating clean renewable energy, circular heating, with a biomass burner turning timber waste into heat and reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and new machinery, unique in Ireland, to enhance precision, efficiency, and quality."

The new premises which is fully up and running in the Eamonn Duggan Industrial Park was offically opened by Minister Helen McEntee, while also in attendance was Deputy John Guirke, Senator Linda Nelson Murray, Cllrs Aisling Dempsey, Joe Fox and Ronan Moore.

FULL STORY & MORE PHOTOS IN TUESDAY'S PAPER