Property developer Joe Cosgrave dies aged 62

Cosgrave brothers built thousands of homes and notable commercial projects in Dublin

Joe Cosgrave, pictured in 2007. Photograph: David Sleator
Joe Cosgrave, pictured in 2007. Photograph: David Sleator

The death has occurred of Dublin property developer Joe Cosgrave (62) of Cosgrave Property Group.

Alongside his brothers Michael and the late Peter, Mr Cosgrave transformed the Dublin house-building business they set up at a young age into a developer with a significant presence across the capital.

Tom Parlon, director-general of the Construction Industry Federation, said Mr Cosgrave had been "extremely well-liked" and respected across the industry. "He was a very warm, personable character who was very proud of his roots," he said.

Jack Cosgrave, the brothers' late father, was originally a breeder of pigs and turkeys in Churchtown in south Dublin.

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Cosgrave Brothers, as the company was first known, was established in 1979 with the purchase of five housing sites in Stillorgan. It grew rapidly, completing developments in Donnybrook, Castleknock, Milltown and Clonskeagh, as well as notable projects such as the Sweepstakes in Ballsbridge and Custom Hall on Gardiner Street.

Commercial expansion

Commercial developments included Rathmines Town Centre, what became the Radisson Blu St Helen's Hotel in Stillorgan and the Ulster Bank building on George's Quay. In 2004, the group acquired the Dún Laoghaire golf club lands, later developing them into Honeypark.

Although the property crash resulted in some difficulties for the company, it survived and continued to build new homes, with the group exiting State agency Nama in 2020 after refinancing its remaining loan facilities.

Peter Cosgrave died in 2019, aged 59.

Joe Cosgrave is survived by his wife Denise McDonnell, their daughters Kate and Laura, his brothers Michael and Willie, his sisters Helen and Patricia, and his extended family.