Centenarian honoured by construction industry

A 100-YEAR-OLD carpenter who helped build the Finglas home he lived in for over 60 years has been honoured by the Construction Industry Federation (CIF).

Paul Fogarty made an outstanding contribution to the construction industry and his beloved trade of carpentry, throughout the last century.

And to thank him on his 100th birthday, CIF President Dominic Doheny presented him with a copy of photographer Michael Durand’s The Nurses' Home’, a photographic documentary of the Mater College of Nursing, which Paul helped build in 1954.

"It was one of the finest buildings in the city at the time,” Paul said. "It had the best of materials and workmanship."

Surrounded by friends and family, Paul said he was delighted to reach his hundredth birthday and very much enjoyed planning his centenary celebration.

"I never thought I'd see this age," he said. "I saw a lot of changes over my lifetime."

Dominic Doheny, President of the CIF, said he was delighted to be part of Paul’s birthday celebrations.

“The Irish construction industry has been built on the efforts of craftsmen like Paul Fogarty, who’s passion for excellence, for creating something from nothing and improving the world around us has been a lifelong affair,” he said.

Paul was born on a small farm in Ballybrophy Co Laois in 1918, the second eldest of five children.

His aunt and uncle owned a grocery and pub in the nearby village of Donaghmore and he was sent to help them out.

When Paul was 15, his aunt asked a local carpenter, Michael Fitzpatrick of Grantstown, to take him on as an apprentice.

Paul went to live with Michael and his wife for the next five years and served his time there.