Education Minister cuts the first sod on new school for Ulidia Integrated College

Education Minister Michelle McIlveen has cut the first sod on a new 700 pupil school for Ulidia Integrated College, Carrickfergus.

Bennett Freehill are delivering mechanical and electrical engineering design on this significant £25 million new school project, which further enhances our education project portfolio.

The new modern post primary three-storey school in Carrickfergus, on the school’s existing site, will accommodate 700 pupils and consist of 43 classrooms, technology and design suite, study and wellbeing spaces and a new state-of-the-art library.

Speaking at the event the Minister said:

“I welcome this £25m investment which represents a significant milestone for Ulidia Integrated College. Once completed this new school will provide much needed education benefits for pupils, staff, teachers, parents and for the wider community.”

The scheme represents an investment of £25million from the Fresh Start Programme.

Michelle McIlveen continued:

“Schools are very much the hub of any community. I am certain that this investment will have a major impact on the wider local community, promoting good relations and creating many positive outcomes.

“Ongoing investment in our schools’ estate is essential if we are to continue to deliver a high quality education for all our young people as well providing a boost to the local economy and securing construction jobs.”

Acknowledging the work of the school and its stakeholders in bringing the project to this stage, the Minister concluded:

“I would like to thank everyone involved in this project for their hard work and commitment in getting it to this stage.

OHMG were appointed as contractors and construction began on 12 September 2022.

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Paul O'Neill

MIET CEng MEng

Paul joined Bennett Freehill in late-2021 as part of the organisations drive towards technical excellence, an employee-focused culture, strategic growth and NZEB focus. 

A Chartered Engineer with 14 years’ experience in the construction and electrical industries, Paul has particular specialisms in electrical engineering, conservation, power generation and vertical transportation having worked on projects in the education, healthcare, hotels and office sectors. 

As electrical engineering design lead, Paul is responsible for technical delivery and project responsibility related to electrical engineering, and more critically, directing technical, quality and standards within the engineering teams.

Paul brings his passion for technical quality, buildability, progressivity and efficiency to the Bennett Freehill team.

Aaron McCarthy

MCIBSE CEng BEng

Aaron is a Chartered Engineer who specialises in sustainability and low carbon design, with detailed knowledge of passive design techniques and thermal modelling procedures.

Aaron joined Bennett Freehill in mid-2021, having previously gained 10 years’ experience as an Energy and Building Services design engineer within leading multi-national building services practices. Aaron brings extensive experience in managing and delivering large scale multi-disciplinary projects and has a wealth of experience in MEP Project Management.

Aaron is responsible for client liaison, technical delivery and management of design teams to ensure we meet our clients aspirations.

Aaron brings his passion and drive for successful project delivery through collaboration with clients and design teams.

In May 2022 Aaron was appointed as Partner.

Cormac Freehill

MCIBSE MIET CEng MSc BEng

A Chartered Building Services Engineer with over 15 years’ experience working with some of the UK’s foremost engineering companies, Cormac has been pivotal to the successful award and delivery of multi-million pound projects since being appointed to the role of Managing Director in June 2020 and rebranding the business as Bennett Freehill.

Cormac brings a new vision, new energy and fresh leadership to the team and is responsible for the strategic growth and development of the business, through supporting and undertaking marketing activities, and the training and development of our technically accomplished staff.  In the role of design team leader and client liaison Cormac ensures that the team delivers pioneering, pragmatic MEP design excellence for our clients. 

Cormac specialises in Passivhaus and Nearly Zero-Energy Building (NZEB) construction and is passionate about, and professionally skilled in, Renewable Energy Systems, Energy, Procurement, Design Management and Consulting Engineering.

Cormac Freehill

MCIBSE MIET CEng MSc BEng

A Chartered Building Services Engineer with over 15 years’ experience working with some of the UK’s foremost engineering companies, Cormac has been pivotal to the successful award and delivery of multi-million pound projects since being appointed to the role of Managing Director in June 2020 and rebranding the business as Bennett Freehill.

Cormac brings a new vision, new energy and fresh leadership to the team and is responsible for the strategic growth and development of the business, through supporting and undertaking marketing activities, and the training and development of our technically accomplished staff.  In the role of design team leader and client liaison Cormac ensures that the team delivers pioneering, pragmatic MEP design excellence for our clients. 

Cormac specialises in Passivhaus and Nearly Zero-Energy Building (NZEB) construction and is passionate about, and professionally skilled in, Renewable Energy Systems, Energy, Procurement, Design Management and Consulting Engineering.