Breagh Recruitment: 10 Years in Construction Recruitment

Breagh Recruitment: 10 Years in Construction
Recruitment – My Journey

This October 2025, Breagh Recruitment turns ten and I couldn’t be prouder. But our story started long before the first CV landed on my desk. It began on our 200-year-old family farm in Armagh’s Orchard County, where farming and construction have been part of my family’s identity for generations.

My father, a fruit and veg wholesaler, with some of my earliest memories are of 4am mornings, revving the lorry to build the air in the brakes, crates of apples, boxes of lettuce, heading for Belfast fruit market. Farming has been in the McKeever blood for as long as anyone can remember, and growing up in that world shaped me completely. I learned early on that nothing grows whether it’s apples or opportunities without graft, patience, and community.

From a Small Idea to a Trusted Name

When I started Breagh Recruitment, it was just me, a phone, and a corner of the kitchen table. Starting a recruitment company on a 200-year-old farm wasn’t exactly a textbook business plan but for me, the farm was never just a location. It was and is a reminder of the values that mattered: hard work, family, resilience, and looking after people.

Those values have guided Breagh through every step, from our first placements to becoming one of Ireland’s trusted names in construction recruitment.

The Construction Landscape Back in 2015

In 2015, Ireland’s construction industry was still finding its feet after one of the toughest recessions in living memory. Developers were cautious, cranes were few, and many skilled professionals had gone abroad for work.

Those early years were all about rebuilding trust, helping employers take confident steps forward and connecting talented engineers with opportunities at home. It wasn’t just recruitment; it felt like rebuilding communities and livelihoods.

A Decade of Change and Growth

Over the past ten years, I’ve watched Ireland’s construction economy transform:

● Cranes Return: From 2017 onward, cranes once again dotted the skylines, symbols of recovery and ambition. Demand for skilled professionals surged, and we were ready to connect the right people with the right projects.

● Housing and Infrastructure Booms: Housing developments, major road projects, and new data centres reshaped both rural towns and bustling cities.

● Technology and Sustainability: BIM, renewable energy expertise, and advanced engineering practices became staples, and we adapted quickly to match evolving skills with market needs.

● Tough Challenges: Brexit, supply chain issues, and rising material costs tested everyone’s resilience. We leaned on our values and agility to support clients and candidates through uncertain times.

 

Breagh has grown from a small rural agency into a national partner for construction and M&E recruitment, proof that staying grounded can carry you far.

Staying Grounded, Literally..

Even today, I haven’t traded boots for brogues. On many Saturdays, you’ll find me on the digger widening the car park or shifting stones, usually under the pretext of “making room,” but really because there’s nothing like moving earth to clear your head. My love for plant and machinery hasn’t faded a bit.

At its heart, recruitment is about people. Whether it’s a graduate engineer starting out or a project director leading a multimillion-euro build, I know we’re helping shape lives and communities. That responsibility and a bit of mud under my boots keeps me grounded.

Looking to the Future

 

The next decade for construction will be shaped by sustainability, digital transformation, and a more global workforce. At Breagh, we’re investing in technology, training, and long-term relationships to stay ahead of those changes, without ever forgetting where we came from.

Thank You for Ten Incredible Years

 

Breagh Recruitment wouldn’t be here without our amazing clients who trusted us, our candidates who believed in us, and the brilliant team who bring their passion to work every day.
To everyone who’s been part of this journey thank you. Here’s to the next ten years of growth, grit, and maybe a few more Saturday digger projects.