Roscommon’s Tom Crean & Son Contractors Ltd. are set to feature on the six-part UTV documentary, ‘The Airport up in Knock’, which goes behind the scenes at Knock Airport as part of the airport’s 30th anniversary celebrations.
The series started last Monday night and father and son, Tom and John Crean, will make an appearance next Monday night.
John told the Roscommon People earlier this week how it all came about: “We were working on the airport at the time (of the series being filmed) and they filmed us. Then, we got the contract for the Basilica in Knock and the producer of the UTV programme said ‘God this is brilliant!’ He said ‘The fact that Fr. James Horan is the main focal point of all this and the fact that you’re doing the two jobs, can we follow you to the basilica?’ So, they came to the basilica with us and they filmed us with the priest there.”
What started as a one-man operation in 1970 with Tom at the helm, has gone from strength to strength and is now a thriving limited company employing local craftsmen and operating nationally. Specialising in domestic, heritage, commercial, and industrial projects, the company have had the pleasure of working on some local Roscommon landmark projects in recent times including Roscommon Civic Offices and the new Endoscopy Suite at Roscommon Hospital among others.
John, who has worked with the company since his days as an apprentice, is slightly nervous ahead of the episode airing next Monday evening.
“I texted the manager of the airport because I saw him on the show last night (Monday). I said ‘You looked fantastic!’ and he said to me ‘Oh, wait til next week!’ And I don’t know what he means by this, but he said ‘You were priceless!’ (laughs).”
Keeping their (painting) trays in the upright position, Tom and John Crean are set for take-off next Monday evening at 8 pm on UTV with the episode featuring the Basilica set to air on December 5th. The company will also feature on Dermot Bannon’s Room to Improve later in the year.
