Our Roots
Flaherty Timber is a family-owned business with over 40 years of experience and a stellar reputation in the timber industry. We are your one-stop shop for all things forestry, offering timber buying and harvesting services nationwide, as well as providing quality fencing and firewood products.
The company was founded by Eamon and Cora Flaherty, but the Flaherty family’s deep roots in the timber industry go back much further. Eamon's father, Bob, hailed from Galway and he and his brother, Mick Flaherty worked for McAinsh's Sawmill in Portumna, Co. Galway. In the late 1930s, they ventured to the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains in Kinnitty to cut oak on Knockbarron Hill. During this time, Bob met his future wife, Mary O'Donoghue, and decided to settle in Kinnitty. Together, Bob and Mary raised five sons and one daughter. Bob eventually set up his own small private sawmill on the Roscrea Road, just outside Kinnitty—a sawmill that one of his sons still operates to this day. The Flaherty brothers all pursued careers in timber, whether it was making hurls, harvesting timber in the woods, or working in sawmills—every aspect of the industry was covered.
Eamon, the youngest son, had an intense passion for timber. From a young age, he was driven and highly motivated, eventually establishing his own timber business. Initially, he focused on harvesting timber and supplying sawmills across the country. In 2008, he purchased the land where our current sawmill stands. Ironically, this very site now looks up to the same Knockbarron Hill where Bob first came to cut timber. A few of the original oak trees still stand on that hill today.
Sadly, Eamon passed away suddenly in 2019. His legacy and love for timber live on through his sons, Adrian and Mark, who now manage the business alongside Cora, the Director. Mark oversees timber harvesting, Adrian runs the sawmill, and Cora keeps everything running smoothly from the office, always staying one step ahead and never missing a beat.
Today
Year after year, both the sawmill and harvesting operations at Flaherty Timber have experienced remarkable growth. Today, the company operates 4 harvesters and 4 forwarders, cutting timber nationwide. On average, we harvest 2,500 cubic meters of timber each week, equating to 125,000 cubic meters annually. Approximately 25% of this timber is processed at our sawmill for firewood and fencing products, while the remaining 75% is sold to other sawmills and the biomass industry for the energy sector.
Producing around 1 million fencing posts annually, Flaherty Timber has firmly established itself as a leading player in the fencing industry. The company continues to innovate, recently investing in a state-of-the-art, high-capacity, high-pressure treatment vessel and incising technology. This advancement enables us to produce long-lasting Tanalised Peeled/Machined round fencing posts and strainers with a 15-year warranty for our customers. To make things simpler, we've named this latest product Warra-posts. All Warra-posts are incised, dried to below 28% moisture content, and treated to IS436 standards.
Flaherty Timber is committed to supporting the local community, employing many long-standing, dedicated staff members. These hardworking individuals have been instrumental in our growth, and without their contribution, the business would not be where it is today.
We are fully compliant with guidelines published by the Department of Agriculture, the Irish National Standard, and the Code of Best Forest Practice – Ireland. Additionally, we hold various certifications, including FSC®, PEFC, NSAI, and WFQA.