Testimonials

 

 

After my partner Jürgen Janssen-Jerom and I had built a small passive-energy house for ourselves in 2008 and started ” Trees for Beara”, we founded the “whiteRoom” project in Castletownbere five years later, for which we kept looking for creative collaborators from the beginning. At that time, Noel was not available to us. But last year when I looked for someone to extend our house I remembered him.
It was an unusual project I presented to him: a wooden extension on a rock in a remote place accessible
only by a narrow path on rocky, hilly terrain to be fitted into the landscape. But those kinds of difficulties didn’t seem to be obstacles to him. He understood immediately. And took on the job. We agreed to start working the following month. And from now on seeing Noel work I was amazed at how dedicated, how committed he was to this job, how continuously he proceeded, how mindful he dealt with nature, how carefully and precisely he was carrying out his craft – always keeping an eye on the perfect finish. In Noel I had found a craftsman who masters all subsections of the building trade making the individual construction stages flow organically into each other.
Any questions that arose on my part during the process were answered offering practicable solutions,
mutually agreed upon and implemented immediately. No job seems too hard for him, whether it’s moving trees or transporting heavy to bulky materials, and he always finds a way to get it done.
Soon I recognized what his approach to any job is: respect any request the client might have, no matter how unusual or difficult it may seem, and take full responsibility for its implementation. This and his absolutely independent way of working allows him to carry out the most extraordinary kinds of building projects while meeting the highest quality standards.
This isn’t something we had been finding among the craftsmen we have dealt with in Ireland so far.
Last but not least I was pleased to see that the famous "Prussian virtues” diligence, reliability, order, and punctuality had not died out. In Noel they are still alive.
Felicitas Gross, Adrigole

Noel Gowran has worked for Dzogchen Beara  since 2011 on building projects of various sizes.

He worked full time with the centre for two years and since 2013 has returned to do various projects 

Noel has carried out all types of building work on site from new-build to renovation. This included the construction of a pavilion, poly-tunnel and concrete steps, roof repairs and resolving chronic rising damp issues. He also carried out general maintenance, e.g. shelving, leak repair, installing glazing. 

He designed a complex set of steps in collaboration with our resident architect and also designed and built a pavillion with a copper roof for guests. 

Noel also worked as part of team on a whole site review and upgrade strategy and completed many aspects of the work himself. 

Most recently Noel worked with our consultant engineer to manage the complete renovation of our hostel while doing many aspects of the work himself and working along side other builders electricians and plumbers to complete the project under a tight deadline successfully.

Noel has great problem solving abilities , excellent attention to detail and takes great care in all the projects he has been involved in, ensuring a finish of the highest standard. He has a keen ability to get to the bottom of difficult building issues, having had to work with some very old buildings with complex problems. 

Noel is a very thorough, clean and efficient worker. He has good communication skills  and while having a good ability to lead teams he also works well as part of a team. 

I found Noel to be both professional and personable at all times and would have no hesitation in recommending him.

If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me at 027 73401

Tricia Healy

Centre Director, Dzogchen Beara – Buddhist Meditation Centre

Noel has worked for us a number of times over the last 7/8 years and was originally recommended to us as a builder to carry out some refurbishment work on our business premises.
It soon became apparent that the service Noel offers goes far beyond that. He has great visualisation of what will work in a space and carries these concepts through to design and implementation. The quality of his finished work is exceptional.
I would have no hesitation in recommending Noel for any project.
Please contact me if you have any further questions.
Regards.or detail on things you can see but also in areas that are hidden e.g. drainage,
damp issues etc. He is an extremely hard worker. Nothing as far as I could see was a problem to him…he is solution oriented. Ecological, financial solutions that are built and constructed with longevity in mind. The amazing thing about Noel is his ability to listen. I have consulted Noel on
occasions about new projects and his advice is rich in practical and yet innovative ways to tackle
things. Always a pleasure to work with. He is kind, fair and generous with his time. He is a very
positive person to have working on any project and I would thoroughly recommend him.
Michael Creedon

Bradleys Supermarket Ltd, Cork

I am single parent with three children. Having built our house many years ago,I am now faced with ongoing repairs which at times are beyond me. I have found it very difficult to find a builder that I can trust and who doesn’t do a quick job and run. I was recommended Noel by a friend. He
is a rare find. I have read the above reviews and they are all correct. His work is outstanding. He has a great eye for detail on things you can see but also in areas that are hidden e.g. drainage,
damp issues etc. He is an extremely hard worker. Nothing as far as I could see was a problem to
him…he is solution oriented. Ecological, financial solutions that are built and constructed with
longevity in mind. The amazing thing about Noel is his ability to listen. I have consulted Noel on
occasions about new projects and his advice is rich in practical and yet innovative ways to tackle
things. Always a pleasure to work with. He is kind, fair and generous with his time. He is a very
positive person to have working on any project and I would thoroughly recommend him.
Deirdre Gleeson.

I am very happy with the job. Noel transformed my old leaking garden shed and gave it a new
lease of life. Noel is a very efficient, reliable and tidy worker. He did a very professional job at a
price that suited my budget. He used his initiative incorporating some materials that I already had (keeping within my budget).
Noel is someone I would trust and recommend.
Bernie Keane