About Castlethorn

Joe O’Reilly is the founder and CEO of Castlethorn and has more than 30 years’ experience in property development. Under his leadership, Castlethorn has become one of Ireland’s foremost real estate developers and home builders, delivering high-quality residential, commercial and mixed-use developments.

Joe is closely involved in setting the company’s strategic direction and overseeing its development activities. His experience spans complex urban regeneration projects, large-scale residential communities and major infrastructure-led developments. He is committed to creating well-connected, sustainable places that deliver lasting value for residents, communities and wider stakeholders.

Ronan Columb joined Castlethorn as Construction Manager in 2004, was appointed Construction Director in 2007 and became Group Managing Director in 2023. A quantity surveyor by profession, he leads the company’s overall operations and business strategy and oversees the management and delivery of Castlethorn’s development portfolio.

Before joining Castlethorn, Ronan spent 14 years with Walls Construction, progressing through several management positions to become Divisional Director. He has extensive experience in residential, commercial and mixed-use development and has led the delivery of several landmark projects. Ronan works closely with Castlethorn’s multidisciplinary teams and external partners to ensure projects are delivered to the highest standards of quality, design and construction.

Richard Leonard joined Castlethorn as Group Chief Financial Officer in January 2025. A Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland, he is responsible for shaping and executing the Group’s financial strategy, supporting sustainable growth, strong governance and operational excellence across the business.

Richard brings extensive financial leadership experience within the residential construction industry. Before joining Castlethorn, he spent six years with Glenveagh Properties plc, where he served as Head of Finance. Earlier in his career, Richard spent nine years with Deloitte in its Consumer and Technology Business Audit practice, advising and working with a broad range of leading organisations.

Fergal McDonough joined Castlethorn as Financial Controller in 2004 and was appointed Finance Director in 2015 and Group Finance Director in 2019. A Chartered Accountant, he is responsible for the Group’s financial operations, including financing partnerships, financial reporting, taxation strategy and treasury management.

Fergal has led numerous complex transactions throughout their full lifecycle, working with landowners, government agencies, infrastructure providers and funding partners to support the delivery of major development projects. Before joining Castlethorn, he specialised in taxation with EY and subsequently worked within the property development sector.

Andrew McBennett joined Castlethorn as a Senior Executive in 2018 and was appointed Director and a member of the Executive Team in 2021. A Chartered Surveyor specialising in planning and development, Andrew plays a central role in identifying and securing new development opportunities and guiding projects through the acquisition and early development stages.

Working closely with landowners, professional advisers and public bodies, Andrew helps shape commercially robust proposals that align stakeholder priorities with Castlethorn’s strategic objectives. Before joining Castlethorn, he held development roles with Harcourt Developments and WK Nowlan Real Estate, building extensive experience in complex property acquisitions and development processes.

Olivia Leahy joined Castlethorn as Executive Assistant in 2018 and was appointed Associate Director and a member of the Executive Team in 2023. Working closely with the CEO and Group Managing Director, Olivia supports the coordination of the company’s day-to-day operations and key corporate priorities.

Before joining Castlethorn, Olivia worked in the media industry as a producer and production executive. This experience developed her expertise in project coordination, stakeholder engagement and the delivery of complex programmes involving multiple internal and external parties.

Eoin Wilcox joined Castlethorn as Construction Manager in 2008 and was appointed Director of Business Information and Underwriting and a member of the Executive Team in 2024. With more than 30 years’ experience in construction and development, he brings extensive commercial and technical expertise to the role.

Eoin is responsible for evaluating development opportunities, overseeing project underwriting and supporting informed investment and delivery decisions across the business. He previously served as New Project Director at Castlethorn. Before joining the company, Eoin was an Associate Director with Mulcahy McDonagh and Partners, where he led cost-management and development-modelling work on major commercial projects.

Ben Brady joined Castlethorn in 1995 and was appointed to the company’s Senior Management Team in February 2026. With extensive experience in Ireland’s new homes sector, he has overseen the sales, marketing and completion of more than 8,000 homes across some of Castlethorn’s most significant residential developments.

Ben plays a central role in developing and implementing sales and marketing strategies that respond to changing market conditions and customer requirements. Before joining Castlethorn, he worked with Hamilton Osborne King, now Savills, where he gained experience in its new homes and retail property divisions. His extensive market knowledge and customer focus continue to support the successful delivery of Castlethorn’s residential portfolio.

Gemma Harrington joined Castlethorn in 2018 and has more than 20 years’ experience in the property industry. As Head of Corporate Communications & Marketing, she leads Castlethorn’s corporate communications, brand and marketing strategy, supporting the company’s positioning, reputation and engagement with internal and external stakeholders.

Before joining Castlethorn, Gemma spent five years with Grant Thornton managing major property portfolios on behalf of Ireland’s pillar banks. She previously spent nine years with Savills, where she was an Associate Director in the New Homes division. Her experience spans corporate positioning, brand development, residential sales and marketing, development strategy and stakeholder engagement across the property sector.

James Leonard joined Castlethorn in 2006 and has more than 25 years’ experience in town planning and development. As Head of Planning, he leads Castlethorn’s planning function and oversees the planning strategy for the company’s development portfolio.

James manages multidisciplinary design teams and coordinates planning applications, further information submissions, appeals and planning compliance. He also leads Castlethorn’s engagement with planning authorities and statutory bodies and contributes to development plans and planning policy consultations. James holds a primary degree in Economics and a master’s degree in Planning. His experience includes securing permissions for major residential and mixed-use developments, including phases of Adamstown, Rathborne and Woodbrook.