Midland Mould and Engineering showcases Tetrapod expertise
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Discussion on research and strategic planning.Image 2 of 4
Paul Finnerty and Minister Moran.Image 3 of 4
Michael McSloy and Patrick Hughes, Ready Mixed Concrete Ltd; Cllr Vinny McCormack, Minister Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran; Paul Finnerty and John Finnerty, Midland Mould and Engineering; and Cllr Liam McDaniel.Image 4 of 4
At the Midland Mould and Engineering event were, Minister Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, Jeff Murray, Oran O’Connell, Patrick Hughes, Ryley Murtagh, Hamza Souam, Michael McSloy, Cllr Vinny McCormack, Cllr Liam McDaniel, Dean Tyrrell, Caroline Finnerty, Gillian Marsh, Paul Finnerty and John Finnerty.Midland Mould and Engineering hosted a product showcase at its premises in Kilbeggan to highlight its Tetrapod moulds designed for coastal protection.
The event was attended by Minister of State Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, who has responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW), Cllr Vinny McCormack and Cllr Liam McDaniel. Also in attendance were Michael McSloy and Patrick Hughes from Ready Mixed Concrete Ltd, who purchased 14 three-tonne Tetrapod moulds, making them the largest supplier of Tetrapods in Ireland.
The moulds have now been manufactured and shipped to the client, demonstrating the engineering and manufacturing expertise available at the Westmeath-based company.
The showcase highlighted that coastal protection is an increasingly important issue for Ireland. Research published by University College Cork in September 2026, led by Kevin Walsh and colleagues, assessed 8,575 kilometres of Ireland’s coastline and mapped areas exposed to coastal hazards, including erosion, rising sea levels and storm surges. The study highlighted the need for evidence-based coastal management and adaptation planning to protect communities, infrastructure and heritage.
Minister Moran has a role in the government’s work on flood-risk management and protecting communities from flooding, and the showcase provided an opportunity to highlight the contribution specialist Irish engineering and manufacturing can make to coastal protection projects.
Midland Mould and Engineering recently received national recognition for its Coastal Protection project at the 2026 Irish Steel Awards, where the company was named runner-up in the Engineering and Fabricated Assemblies category.
Speaking after the showcase, Paul Finnerty, operations manager, said: “I would like to sincerely thank Minister’ Moran, Cllr McCormack and Cllr McDaniel for taking the time to visit us in Midland Mould and Engineering and for support on the day.
“We are proud of the engineering expertise and production capabilities we have here in Kilbeggan. This project demonstrates what our team can deliver, from the design and manufacture of specialist steel moulds to meeting the requirements of our customers in the precast concrete industry. We are extremely grateful to be part of this coastal protection project and proud that our work can contribute to this important area.”