Boyle Plant Hire in Carrick, Co. Donegal is a third-generation groundworks and agri contracting firm which recently featured on TV.
Terence Boyle and his team came to national attention after appearing in the second series of ‘Contractors’ on TG4. First aired on Thursday, March 21 2024, the observational and entertainment-based documentary series explored the working lives and personal narratives of eight agricultural contracting families from diverse locations.
The series highlighted their professional challenges, the high and lows of their daily routine and their hopes and dreams, presenting a no-holds barred portrait of eight extraordinary crews for hire – all members of an agricultural sub-economy without which farming would not be possible.
Filmed over a 12-month period, the show revealed how contractors are the heartbeat of rural Ireland and are crucial players in a food-producing sector that is central to Ireland’s economy. Their job is arguably more difficult than that of farmers themselves and without them, modern farming itself would not be possible.
With an unprecedented mix of Irish culture, heritage, experience and contemporary society presented in the Irish language, the series is a melting pot of all ages, generations and sexes set in the Ireland of the 2020s blended into a high-quality programme that will stand the test of time.
“It was nice to watch and to hear the feedback. The exposure is good for us and good for the area,” says Terence, who is a fluent Irish speaker.
“We’re based in a very rural part of the country in South-West Donegal. The farm holdings are very small compared to other parts of the country. That was illustrated in the stunning drone and aerial footage. All in all, it was a very positive experience for everyone concerned.”
Boyle Plant Hire has come a long way since it was established in 1962 when Terence’s father Seamus – who was then only 17 and is still driving a tipper lorry for the family business – purchased his first tractor, a Massey Ferguson T20. In 1972, he brought his first Rubber Massey Track Digger and in 1981 his first Hitachi Track Digger.
“We’ve always been Massey Ferguson,” explains Terence, who is currently running a 7614, 5455, 5612, 185 and two 135s.
“The T20 was one of the first tractors around the area. We then progressed to a Massey 35 and had three 135s after that. We made our first round bales with a two-wheel drive 565 and a Welger P12. We’ve also had a Massey 550, 398, 4270 and 6480. The 7614, which is the biggest tractor in our current fleet, was purchased seven or eight years ago.”
Terence joined Seamus in 1994 and together they have continued to provide a professional and reliable service, while also continuing to evolve the business in the most challenging of times. Another son, James, came on board in 2006, having qualified and worked in the construction and civil engineering industry since 2001. Terence’s wife Majella has also made a significant contribution to the business as office manager.
The future of Boyle Plant Hire looks to be in safe hands as the next generation begins to make its mark. Terence and Majella’s sons Pauric and Finn, and daughters Niamh, Alanna, Laura and Rachel, are all showing a keen interest, and aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in. Eldest son Pauric recently graduated from Ballyhaise Agricultural College and is currently undertaking a mechanic course with CPS Plant in Ballyshannon.
“Farming is great for the youngsters. Along with the contracting, we have 140 ewes and the children are a huge help around the place. Football is the other big thing in our house with the three oldest girls, Niamh, Alanna and Laura, having all played for Donegal at minor and U16 level in recent years,” Terence proudly adds.
Boyle Plant Hire have been working with the land, hills, mountains, roads, rivers, forests and bogs of Donegal for over 60 years, and more recently the utilities sector, water treatment plants, infrastructure upgrades and multiple civil engineering projects. The firm boasts a strong management structure, and combined with its skilled and experienced workforce, provides a quality service to all clients.
“Our people are our greatest asset. We employ a 10-strong team of digger drivers, tractor drivers and groundworkers who know the business inside out and are always willing to go the extra mile for our customers.”
Boyle Plant Hire adheres to the highest Health & Safety, quality control and environmental management standards. They have an array of machinery to carry out work quickly and efficiently for their clients, providing them with value-for-money and an alternative to investing in their own expensive equipment. Their success and longevity are down to the knowledge, skill and expertise of their staff, not to mention the quality of their equipment. The Boyle team delivers the value and quality customers expect from their agricultural contracting and civils partners.
The main agricultural services provided by the Co. Donegal operation are round baling; square baling; wrapping; bale transportation; land reclamation and drainage, stone, sand, gravel and topsoil. Their other services include excavation; foundations, site clearance and development; rock-breaking; steel fixing and retaining walls; civils – roads, infrastructure, water and waste; river works; concreting, kerbing, road-ways and streets; and lawn preparation.
“Anything to do with a digger, we’ll do it. We cover a wide area for groundworks and all over South-West Donegal, from Glencolmcille to Ardara and from Carrick to Teelin, when it comes to baling. No job is too big or too small,” the affable contractor continues.
For baling, Terence operates a Lely 245 round baler, a New Holland 377 square baler, a Massey Ferguson 1840 square baler and a McHale wrapper. He loads the bales with the Massey 5455 and front loader, and transports them with a Herbst low loader. A Scania flatbed truck is also used to move bales as well as machinery. Boyle Plant Hire makes about 5,000 bales per year.
The family business runs one Case and nine Hitachi excavators ranging from three to 21 tonnes. They also have two tipper lorries (a Scania and a Volvo) for stone and topsoil deliveries, and four Thwaite dumpers. Their range of services are tailored to the specific needs of their clients in both the private and public sectors.
All machines are upgraded on a regular basis to avoid breakdowns and downtime. Servicing and maintenance are almost exclusively carried out in house. Most of the machines come from the aforementioned CPS Plant, Johnson Heath International in Omagh and TBF Thompson in Garvagh.
As Boyle Plant Hire continues to go from strength to strength, Terence would like to take this opportunity to thank his customers and suppliers for their continued support as well as his staff for their hard work, dedication and expertise.
Boyle Plant Hire
Crove,
Carrick,
Co. Donegal.
Telephone: +353 (0)74 973 9968 / +353 (0)87 687 1156
Email: [email protected]
First published in Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 12 No 2, July/August 2024
