The award was presented to the construction firm by guest of honour, Dame Mary Peters, in recognition of its work on Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine (WWIEM) at Queen’s University Belfast.
Hosted by the Construction Employers Federation (CEF), the awards also recognised an additional 14 category winners from across the construction industry in Northern Ireland for excellence in general construction, housing, infrastructure and quality assurance.
Congratulating the overall winners, CEF Managing Director, John Armstrong, said, “O’Hare & McGovern’s work in delivering this wonderful new building is an excellent example of how our local construction industry is pivotal to the development of so many important projects across a wide range of sectors in Northern Ireland each year.
“This particular project will benefit thousands of patients in the years to come, supporting the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine in its mission to develop new avenues for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of important ophthalmic and vascular diseases to relieve human suffering.”
John also commended each of the 14 category award winners for their success against what he described as a “challenging backdrop” for the construction industry in Northern Ireland.
“The local construction sector is undoubtedly in a stronger position than it was at its lowest point a couple of years ago, but there remain significant headwinds that confront the industry – not least the continuing political malaise at Stormont, alongside insufficient investment in public infrastructure in Northern Ireland.
“Despite these challenges, however, our local construction industry continues to deliver exceptionally high-quality work both at home and abroad, as demonstrated so well by each of our shortlisted finalists and category award winners this evening.”
The Construction Excellence Awards have been running for 16 years now and recognise the industry’s contribution to society in providing clean water, new roads, new homes, modern hospitals, fit-for-purpose schools and places to shop, work, worship and socialise.
The Awards also celebrate the preservation of Northern Ireland’s built heritage and the efforts of construction companies across the province to protect their workers, the environment and jobs.
WINNERS
- OVERALL WINNER – O’Hare & McGovern for Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine
- ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE IN PARTNERING AWARD – H&J Martin for Mount Stewart
GENERAL CONSTRUCTION
- Commercial Construction Award – Heron Bros for North West Regional Science Park
- Fit Out Award – Martin & Hamilton for the fit-out of the Great Hall at Galgorm Resort & Spa
- Restoration Award – H&J Martin for Mount Stewart
- Social/Community Construction Award – Lowry Building & Civil Engineering for Omagh Community Fire Station & District Headquarters
HOUSING
- Private Housing Award – Hagan Homes for Linen Lane
- Social Housing Award – Donaghmore Construction for Lime Court, Peter’s Hill
GB & REPUBLIC OF IRELAND CONSTRUCTION AWARD
- McLaughlin & Harvey for the A82 Pulpit Rock Realignment
INFRASTRUCTURE
- Transport Infrastructure Award – Lagan Construction Group for the A8 Belfast to Larne Dual Carriageway
- Health & Education Infrastructure Award – O’Hare & McGovern for the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine
- Utilities Infrastructure Award – Lagan Construction Group for Gravity II – McVeigh’s Well to Old Park SR
QUALITY PERFORMANCE
- Environmental Sustainability – Gilbert-Ash
- Training Award – Lagan Construction Group
- Health & Safety Award – Henry Brothers (Magherafelt)
- Exporting Award – Gilbert-Ash
