THE CONSTRUCTION industry was deeply saddened this week by the death of Liam Maye, one of the founding directors of Castlethorn.

Along with Joe O'Reilly and John Fitzsimons he started Castlethorn in the mid-1980s and, within a decade, turned it into one of the largest and most dynamic house building companies in the country.

From a fairly modest beginning with the Whitethorn estate in Palmerstown, they went on to build a number of outstanding schemes including Holmwood in Cabinteely, Avoca Park off Avoca Avenue in Blackrock, and Beaumont Woods in Beaumont.

The firm is currently developing the new town of Adamstown and a range of major residential and commercial developments. However, they are best known for the development of Dundrum Town Centre which is to be substantially enlarged over the next few years.

Aged 64, Mr Maye was a loyal partner in Castlethorn, though he shunned publicity. He was particularly proud of the country club development being carried on by his company at Killeen Castle in Co Meath where some top class golf facilities have been developed alongside a hotel.

A keen golfer, he spent a good deal of time in Spain where he died unexpectedly early on Monday morning.

He is survived by his wife Anne and three daughters, Emma, Dawn and Nicola.