RSK, a global leader in the delivery of sustainable solutions, has announced the acquisition of Irish Drilling Limited (IDL), a leading mineral exploration and ground investigation contractor.

Irish Drilling has its head office in Loughrea, County Galway. It has carried out major geotechnical investigation and mineral exploration drilling contracts in Ireland, the UK, the Isle of Man and France, and its clients include Irish Water, SSE Renewables, Bord na Móna/Powergen, Anglesey Mining plc and various public sector organisations.

Recent projects have included geotechnical investigation for

• Eastern and Midlands Region Water Supply Project (Irish Water)
• Wind farm projects on behalf of Bord na Móna
• Gort Lowlands Flood Relief Scheme (Galway County Council/Transport Infrastructure Ireland)
• Ten-T Priority Route (Donegal County Council/Transport Infrastructure Ireland).

In addition, the company has recently completed a mineral exploration drilling programme for Parys Mountain (Anglesey Mining plc).

Irish Drilling has a team of 40, including engineers, geologists, mechanics, laboratory technicians and drillers.

Irish Drilling Managing Director Ronan Killeen, who will continue to lead the business, said: “We are delighted to be joining the RSK Group and believe that the expertise and resources that the RSK Group can provide will help us to expand and grow the business throughout the island of Ireland.”

RSK Chief Executive Officer Alan Ryder said: “We are delighted to welcome Irish Drilling, an internationally recognised mineral exploration, drilling and geotechnical investigation contractor, to the Group. IDL has been an expert in its field for more than 50 years and its team will help RSK, the largest provider of geotechnical investigation in the UK, to expand its drilling capability into Ireland in support of existing and new clients.”

As RSK continues to deliver its ambitious growth strategy, it now comprises more than 175 companies, employing 10,000 people. The group’s annual turnover at the end of the financial year 2021/2022 is expected to be in excess of £800 million, more than double that of the previous year.

The acquisition adviser was DHKN, Galway.

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