TILTING AT WINDMILLS
THE NEED TO CONVEY WIND TURBINE BLADES ALONG A CHALLENGING ROUTE REQUIRED IRISH OPERATOR O’NEILLS HEAVY HAULAGE TO IMPORT A UNIQUE SCHEUERLE TRAILER FROM SWITZERLAND FOR THE JOB. PAUL WHITE TALKS TO MANAGING DIRECTOR, JIMMY O’NEILL.
PHOTOGRAPHY:
KATHARINE HOLOHAN | VERONICA CARROLL
All roads leading to the small town of Hospital, County Limerick were festooned with green and white flags celebrating Limerick winning the All-Ireland Hurling Championship for the first time since 1973. This significant event saw the Limerick team emerge victorious in an intense and dramatic final against their neighbours Cork. However, our reason for being in the town was not to join in the festivities, but to call on O’Neills Heavy Haulage.
Since 1947 when O’Neill’s father and mother moved to Hospital the family has been involved in transport in one form or another. His Father’s first venture was transporting sand and gravel locally; this was followed by a move into livestock transport where the fleet quickly expanded to over 10 vehicles.
During this time O’Neill was working as an electronic engineer specialising in servicing marine radar and location devices, an occupation which demanded extensive travel. Deciding to return home, and given his interest in transport it was no surprise that O’Neill would lean towards that side of the family’s business. A family trait which has continued to the next generation, as O’Neill’s son and two daughters are also hands on in the O’Neill companies.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE ON PROJECT SPOTLIGHT: O’NEILLS HEAVY HAULAGE?
This article is premium content, so you must register and pay to continue reading. You can read individual articles from any issue of the magazine by clicking here and paying just 0.99p. Or you can buy a subscription to HeavyTorque magazine from just £32.00 a year (UK), giving you unlimited access to all the features online, as well as receiving the full magazine by post four times a year.
Kick back, relax and enjoy the read!