With Father’s Day approaching, attention often turns to the different ways people connect with their fathers and father-figures. For some, time together is limited to weekends, calls, or special occasions. For others, it’s built into the rhythm of everyday life, a shared routine from seven to four.
That’s exactly the case for the Carty family: Tommy Carty and his sons, Shane and Kieran, who not only share a family life but also a working one at ECL Civil Engineering.
Tommy Carty has spent close to 40 years working in construction, with over 18 of those years at ECL. His experience spans generations of change within the industry, and his long-standing presence has earned him deep respect among colleagues and subcontractors alike.
Reflecting on his time with the company, Tommy noted his long association with leadership figures at ECL, explaining how he has been part of the company’s journey for many years and built lasting working relationships along the way. Over time, he became known not only for his technical ability but also for his leadership on-site.
Eventually stepping back from his role as a black hat supervisor to ease into a less demanding pace, Tommy left behind a strong team, many of whom he had worked alongside for years, a testament to the trust and respect he had earned throughout his career.
Following closely in his father’s footsteps, Shane Carty joined the industry at just 17 years old, beginning his career under Tommy’s guidance. His older brother, Kieran Carty, joined the same path around five years later.
Although both have since flown the nest, Shane with his own pad, and Kieran now married with two children and another on the way, the brothers remain closely connected, bound by a strong family relationship that has carried through both work and life.
Now with 14 years of work experience himself, Shane reflects on the advantage of learning the trade alongside his father. “I think I always wanted to come and try and work with my dad,” he said. “Having the chance to start my career with his guidance has been a huge advantage.”
He also speaks with pride about Tommy’s reputation in the industry, adding that he often hears from subcontractors about how good it is to work under him. “He was the best supervisor that I’ve ever worked with, and I hear it all the time from other subs. “
For Shane and Kieran, that mentorship has shaped not only their careers but also their approach to work and life. “He helped both of us get a job, learn our trade, and develop good life skills. That’s not something you find every day,” Shane added.
For Tommy, Shane and Kieran, working together has now become a long-term reality, with more than a decade spent on the same projects and sites. That shared experience has strengthened both their professional relationship and their personal bond.
Working within the same company has also given them more time together than most families get in a lifetime of evenings and weekends, and a constant shared topic to reflect on at the end of the day.
Shane describes his father as highly organised and deeply experienced, while noting how he himself has developed a more practical, hands-on approach over time. The balance between the two has helped them complement each other on-site.
Like many in the construction industry, motivation can be tested during the tougher months on site, especially in winter. For Tommy, the answer is simple: having something to look forward to.
“When you have tough days, especially in the winter months, I’m looking forward to my holidays,” he said. “This weekend I’m off to Budapest for a long weekend away.” He joked that this trip would be away from the boys, but added that on Father’s Day, they’ll all come together with the wider family, including the grandchildren, for a meal.
For the Cartys, Father’s Day isn’t just a single day of reflection. It’s something built into every working week, a shared career, shared knowledge, and a family legacy carried forward on-site.
