Comiskey plant hire takes control

Established in 2001, Comiskey Plant Hire Ltd has given reliable service to the Leitrim and Sligo areas throughout that time. Managing Director Damian Comiskey spoke to Cian O Raghallaigh.

Comiskey Plant Hire Ltd has been established in Fivemilebourne, Co. Leitrim for several years. Since Managing Director Damian Comiskey opened the business, the firm has provided an excellent service to the public. The company supplies drivers and hires out machinery to County Councils. They also do site clearances on building sites.

Comiskey Plant Hire’s reputation has been second to none since they started. They have concentrated their time mainly on the north Sligo and Leitrim areas. The company, which employs six people has become renowned for its quick service and attention to detail. Doing so has helped the company maintain customers over the years.
The firm was established in January 2001. Managing Director Damian Comiskey was driving a JCB for another company before he decided to go out on his own. He hasn’t looked back since. Along with the hiring out of machinery and site clearances, much of the company’s work also involves the upgrading of roads and general improvement of roadways. They also carry out some landscaping and rock breaking work.

At the time of the interview, Damian was working on a site in Manorhamilton where several new houses are being constructed. There was less happening at this time of the year than there normally is during the year. It’s the pre-Christmas period. So he can reflect on another good year’s work done.
However, generally-speaking more opportunities have arisen due to the housing boom in Ireland. Although the Council have been winding down in their work, there are a wide range of areas for the company to cover all over north Sligo and Leitrim. As a driver, Damian’s role also involves liaising with County Councils all the time and organising work for his company.
Comiskey Plant Hire have had to adapt to many challenges since its foundation. One of the major adaptations has been its change of focus. Damian explains that Comiskey Plant Hire has moved away from farming work towards building work. Now they are heavily involved in construction companies such as Lesley Hamilton Construction, McPadden Construction and Salsowart Ltd.
“We did a lot of work for farmers initially. Most of the farming work involved land drainage and improvement of land. Now all the work is building-related,” he says.

“We’d go in to clear sites and stay around until the block-layings are done. Later on we’d finish off work on the footpaths and the sewers.”
Most of the company’s lorries are JCB 3CX and Hitachi 120s. They also have an FL7 Volvo with Plant Body.
There are many advantages to doing this type of work. Enjoyment is one: Damian was brought up with machinery on his father’s farm. A keen interest in machinery has helped him make the most out of this kind of work.
Like any other industry, there are problems. Like most involved in the truck business, the cost of diesel has been a constant difficulty. There is also the downside of being on call all the time.
“It’s coming into the winter time and you could be called out at any time. If an accident happened we could get called out at any time to clear the road,” he says.

Overall, though, he has been very content since he went into the industry in the first place. He has presided over the growth of a successful company. Comiskey Plant Hire has developed since the time he first began working in the company and despite the commitment involved, he maintains it is worth it.
“You’ve to work long hours in this job and you also have to be dedicated. The first few years are the hardest but when you enjoy what you do, it’s half the battle.”

Local knowledge can often help a company move forward in the right direction. A good network of contacts can help build up a company no matter what type of business they are doing. One of five brothers, he is from Leitrim originally which undoubtedly helps.
“I am from outside Manorhamilton and I am able to get a lot of local work. You’d get to know the area and the family would be fairly well known themselves,” he says.
Comiskey Plant Hire, he says, are always looking to expand whenever they get a chance. The company would be hoping at some stage to have 20-tonne diggers along with 12-tonne diggers. This is something which Damian will hope to pursue at some stage in the near future.

For the moment, though, Comiskey Plant Hire will continue to provide a high standard of service to the public. Since the company’s establishment, they have done exactly that and there is little reason why they cannot look forward to a bright future.