artisans of natural stone landscapes & architecture
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
Pietre Naturali Ltd T/A Irish Stone (Company Reg No: NI 629313)
Established: February 2015
Stone Merchants, Consultants & Contractors , specialising in Stone Landscapes, Public Realm & Commercial Paving, Church and Historic Building Restoration
Operates in the Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and the London markets from our Royal Hillsborough head office, with Design and Consultancy offices in Malahide and Chelsea
Constructionline Reg No: 169605
ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 Certified #weareirishstone
WHY NATURAL STONE?
Choosing natural stone for your project offers unique benefits. Each slab features distinct patterns and textures, adding character and elegance to any space. Its timeless appeal suits both traditional and modern designs.
Natural stone, like granite and quartzite, is durable, resisting scratches, heat, and wear—ideal for high-traffic areas. It also boosts property value, as it’s seen as a premium material.
Environmentally friendly, natural stone is sustainably sourced with minimal impact. It’s versatile, heat-resistant, and provides natural insulation, enhancing energy efficiency. While it requires some maintenance, it’s easy to care for with proper upkeep.
Overall, natural stone enhances your space’s beauty, value, and durability.
THE BEST CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL IN THE WORLD
Natural stone can be re-used and recycled, contributing to a lower overall carbon impact.
Spolia - reusing stone from old structures for new construction aligns with circular economy principles.
The extraction of natural stone typically requires less energy compared to the production of man-made materials. The processing of stone also tends to have a lower carbon footprint.
Many natural stones can be sourced locally, which can further reduce transportation emissions. CO2
Natural stone has been proven to reduce costs by 40% over 50years, mainly due to its lower maintenance requirements.
Natural stone is extremely durable and can last for centuries, reducing the need for replacement and the associated carbon emissions from manufacturing new materials.
THE MOST SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL IN THE WORLD
THE BUILDING MATERIAL WITH LOWEST CARBON KgCO2e/kg
Embodied carbon comes from the consumption of embodied energy consumed to extract, refine, process, transport and fabricate a material or product (including buildings). It is often measured from cradle to (factory) gate, cradle to site (of use), or cradle to grave (end of life). The embodied carbon footprint is therefore the amount of carbon (CO2 or CO2e emission) to produce a material.
It is a topic of rising importance. In fact, it is normally possible to reduce the embodied energy and carbon of a building or construction project by 10-20% without adding to the build cost. What’s more, embodied carbon is often 20-50%, or so, of the whole life energy and carbon of a building, i.e. when operational carbon emissions are considered. The embodied carbon life cycle of a building can be expressed on a single diagram, as above.
Natural Stone Man-Made Porcelain Man-Made Concrete
Aesthetic
Versatility
Cost Effective
Chipping
Porosity
Timelessness
Environmental Footprint
THE BEST HARD LANDSCAPING MATERIAL IN THE WORLD
AT IRISH STONE WE DEVELOP CONCEPTS
Before our client sits down for a discussion with us they have a concept. Often that concept is technically vague and sometimes almost seemingly impossible, but with our knowledge of the stones technical characteristics such as strength and performance we can find the correct solution. Our knowledge of fabrication processes and installation and logistic parameters we can always push the design to the limit, getting the best possible outcome for any design concept.
AT IRISH STONE WE ADD VALUE
A client or a designer cannot be an expert in every material. Quite often they know a lot about natural stone but we can add significantly to that knowledge base. Quite often we can work with our supply base and our industry network to get a comparable material, at less cost, quick led time, easier fabricated and more simply installed. Not just one area, but the entire process can be value engineered.
AT IRISH STONE WE REDUCE BUILDING COSTS
The traditional route for natural stone installation is a concept designer, a supplier, a technical designer, a structural engineer, a fabricator, an installer, a maintainer etc. each one of the aforementioned work within their own time frame and have their own direct costs and associated costs. Irish Stone can provide all of these services in-house, reducing the overall cost of the project in terms of savings in material, design costs, contract management, site supervision, and not least the client and design teams time.
One point of contact and contract is always more efficient than a multi-party and multi-contract approach.
ARTISANS OF NATURAL STONE, LANDSCAPE & ARCHITECTURE #
Marble Quarry, Italy
Granite Quarry, India
WE ARE MERCHANTS
Irish Stone prides itself on the proactive sourcing of hard landscaping materials that meet and exceed any possible client brief. Sustainability, technical performance and cost effectiveness are all considerations in the selection of the Irish Stone supply chain. Every product Irish Stone offer is tested to current BSEN standards, internal audits are periodically carried out to ensure best relationships and importantly the due diligence in the supply chain. Human Rights and Labour Practices are all considerations in the selection of any stone that is available through Irish Stone’s supply chain.
Limestone Quarry, Ireland
Granite Quarry, Portugal
Sandstone
Limestone
Marble
Porphyry
Onyx
Granite
ORDER A FREE SAMPLE
Discover the perfect stone for your project by ordering our samples.
With a variety of colours and finishes available, you can select different samples to see the quality and variation for yourself.
email: info@irishstone.com
call: +44(0)28 9268 9587
Subway Silver Cloud Semi Polished
Statuario Venato Polished Marble
Daino Reale Polished Marble
Azul Honed Limestone
Bardiglio Nova Polished Marble
Grigio Luxury Polished Marble
From around the world store
STONES FOR INTERIORS
Our interior design/supply/installation services offers traditional materials and craftsmanship. Our sharp focus attention to detail completes the top quality service.
We offer some of the most beautiful colours and natural stone tiles and slabs, sourced from Italy, Turkey, Spain, Portugal, Brazil, and China.
The most popular stone that we use in our interior projects are:
- Carrara marble from Italy
- Crema Marfil From Spain
- Azul Valverde from Portugal
Calacatta Oro Polished Marble
Lava Buff
Steel Grey
Sorrel Brown
Red Pearla Pink
Barrow Black
CHINA
EXTERIORS | COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPING
Increased production capacity, our production team can produce multiple loads and ship in batches. Material colour/tones consistent, good technical characteristics durable and weather-resistant, precedent of use within UK and Ireland.
Silvre Grey
Jar Buff Granite
Agitate Pink Granite
Parté Red Granite
Royal Beige Buff Grey Sandstone Mix
Babwe Red Granite Public Realm
Red Multi Granite
INDIA
EXTERIORS | COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPING
Family-owned joint venture quarries and production facilities, Material colour/tones consistent, good technical characteristics, precedent of use within UK and Ireland, materials are reliable and have good availability.
Leaden Black Granite
Rose Red Pink Granite
Azul Roriz Mid Grey Blue Granite
Amár Yellow (Buff / Grey) Granite Rhino pink
Rosa Pinkao
Monte Azul
PORTUGAL
EXTERIORS | COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPING
Indigenous supply, material colour/tones consistent, excellent technical characteristics, precedent of use within UK and Ireland. Family-owned joint venture quarries. Reduced production and shipping transit lead-times.
Stirso Mid Grey Granite
Blanco Silver Granite
Summe Yellow Buff Grey Granite
Blanco Mera Silver Granite
Mainque Mid Grey Grainy Granite
Nate Black Granite
Azul Plat Blue Grey Granite
Silvestre Malto Mid Grey Granite
SPAIN
EXTERIORS | COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPING
Indigenous supply, material colour/tones consistent, excellent technical characteristics, precedent of use within UK and Ireland. Family-owned joint venture quarries. Reduced production and shipping transit lead-times.
Porphyry Blend
ITALY
EXTERIORS | COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPING
Indigenous premio Porphyry supply, material colours/tones Violets, Reds, Greys, Oxides & Browns. Excellent technical characteristics, Good load-bearing capacity and workability. Precedent of use within UK and Ireland. Family-owned joint venture quarries. Reduced production and shipping transit lead-times.
Caithness Devonian Sandstone
Scots Greenschist Granite
Portland Stone
Whin Stone
Ersfield Yorkstone Buff Grey Sandstone
Royal Forest Pennant Buff, Grey, Blue Sandstone
UNITED KINGDOM
EXTERIORS | COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPING
Indigenous supply, valuable selection of sandstone, limestone and granites. Material colour/tones consistent, materials have excellent technical characteristics, precedent of use within UK and Ireland.
Irish Blue Limestone Kilkenny
Kilkenny Fossil
Donegal sandstone
Quartz Quartz
Liscannor slate
IRELAND
EXTERIORS | COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPING
Indigenous supply, material colour/tones consistent, good load-bearing capacity and workability. Excellent technical characteristics, precedent of use within UK and Ireland. Family-owned quarries.
Roem Traverin Pantheon
Moleanos Cladding
Wald Grau Beflammt
Nero Schwarz Beflammt
Wald Grau Aqua
Keltic Blau Beflammt
Flamed Kilkenny
Portuguese Limestone
CLADDING
Ashlar stone wall cladding by Irish Stone offers a timeless elegance that beautifully enhances both traditional and contemporary architectural styles. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail provides a sophisticated aesthetic that adds depth and character to any building. With a variety of colours and textures available, Ashlar stone wall cladding not only serves as an attractive exterior finish but also boasts durability and weather resistance. Originating from the rich and diverse landscapes of throughout the world, our natural stone cladding options offer a striking visual appeal that seamlessly blends tradition and modern design.
Whether you’re seeking to create a rustic, rural aesthetic or a sleek, contemporary look, Ashlar stone cladding provides a versatile solution that can elevate the architectural presence of any structure. With its exceptional durability and low maintenance requirements, this premium natural stone cladding material ensures a lasting investment in the beauty and functionality of your building.
Irish Stone source the stone, design the brackets and fixing systems alongside our structural engineering partners and can also carry out the installation on site.
Contact us now for samples or concept designs.
Doddington Scotch Buff
St Bees Red
Howley Park
Kilkenny Limestone Flamed
Portland Stone Jordan Basebed
Kilkenny Limestone Sawn
Portland Stone Whitbed
Stanton Moor
Locharbriggs
St Bees
Peakmoor
STONE BRICK
Natural stone bricks are not heated to high temperatures like traditional clay fired bricks so have a fraction of the embodied carbon and along with our partner quarry/stone brick fabricators extensive efforts to reduce our carbon, this makes stone bricks one of the lowest carbon building materials in the world. They can simply be used in place of typical clay fired bricks with no additional installation training, meaning that you can add this luxurious brick full of natural charm to your next project.
Nature has been designing these brick for over thousands of years and every one is unique. Our stone brick range includes Sandstone from the North of England, Sandstone and Limestone from Ireland and the ever popular Portland Limestone.
Stone bricks can reduce your embodied carbon of your external walls by over 75% when comparing our EPD figure of 44.7kgCO2/tonne and the published data from The Brick Development Association for a UK Clay Brick at 213kgCO2/tonne.
For some information regarding design and installation please contact us
Castle Gold Sandstone
Royal Black Sandstone
Silva Vilar
Culcavy Grey Sandstone
Liscannor Slate Bergama Grey
Pink Storm Granite
Pencil Black Granite
Kilkenny Limestone
Donegal Sandstone
Scottish Caithness
Pepperino Sandstone
Based at our head office this is our complete DESIGN/SUPPLY/INSTALL natural stone hard landscaping boutique where ‘bespoke’ and ‘exclusive’ comes as standard!
Our residential and commercial designs all include unique natural stone elements which we competently design, ‘hand pick’ at source (from across the world) and competitively procure before installing with the expected, expert craftsmanship.
All to meet your exact requirements and all in-house, meaning the only link you need between the quarry and your finished piazza or courtyard is ‘The Hillsborough Collection’.
The Hillsborough Collection offer more than just a patio and our design and installations often include outdoor living areas incorporating kitchens, BBQ areas and hot tub and entertainment spaces.
Follow us on social media for our the latest projects.
C ontact us to request your residential landscaping brochure
Royal Grey Honed Sandstone
Egyptian Limestone
CUSTOM STONE CUTTING AND PROFILING SERVICES
Irish Stone offer bespoke stone cutting and profiling services tailored to meet your unique requirements. With the capability to cut stone up to 500mm deep, we ensure precision and quality in every project. Our comprehensive range of profile finishing services includes chamfering, bullnosing, and more, allowing us to deliver the exact look and functionality you desire.
BESPOKE ITEMS
Copings, landing and steps are a popular bespoke item for Irish Stone to create for both home owners and residential landscapers. We also cut custom sized cobbles and herring bone patterns to match the particular design. We can work to your specific requirement, created and supplied in a drawing file by your designer or we can work to a site measured template supplied by the contractor.
HAND FINISHING
Today a lot of stone fabrication is completed by CNC and 5 axis stone saws. As Irish Stone originated from a background of restoration stone masonry, we still have skilled and experienced stonemasons to add that finishing touch to your project. Our stonemasons are regularly carving a unique string course detail, a coat of arms or a decorative date plaque for the restoration of a historic building. They could also produce a unique, hand crafted item for your project.
BEDDING
In addition to our wide range of stone, Irish Stone offer access to top-tier, highperformance pre-blended bedding solutions, such as Larsens FBC (BS7533) and Fuga-Pave mortar, along with a variety of other trusted brands and mixes.
PRIMERS AND GROUTS
Jointing is essential for paving, so our selection of slurry grouts and primers includes marketleading brands such as Parex, Larsens, and Fuga-Pave. These products have a proven track record of compatibility and performance with our materials, ensuring consistent results for our commercial, trade, and retail customers.
ACCESSORIES
Irish Stone stock a wide variety of paving accessories and consumables, including blades, squeegees, sponges, levelling kits, and a range of chemicals from general cleaners to rust removers at our Hillsborough location.
Grand Central Station, Belfast
City Quays II, Belfast
WE ARE INSTALLERS
Irish Stone is the only company in Ireland (North & South) that can offer you a complete, project-managed turnkey solution for your vision, all the way from concept through design to full supply and fit. Our range of expertise includes stonemasons, builders, pavers and cladders. Our masons are experienced and highly skilled with the ability to hand carve feature stone pieces as required for any historic building project. They also bring this level of detail and attention to all new build projects, whether it be cladding or paving.
Items: Paving, etched stone artwork, water features including fountain areas, pools and waterfalls. Steps, ashlar cladding and historic façade restoration works.
CASE STUDY 2
GRAND CENTRAL TRANSPORT HUB, BELFAST
Contractor: Sacyr/Farrens JV
Dates: May 24 – Present
Value: £2.4m
Stone: Chinese & Portuguese Granite & Caithness Limestone
Scope: Supply and Installation
Items: Paving to private areas and public realm works. Steps and ashlar wall cladding
CASE STUDY 3
UNIVERSITY OF ULSTER, YORK STREET CAMPUS, BELFAST
Contractor: Sacyr/ Somague JV
Dates: Dec 19 – Jun 22
Value: £980k
Stone: Caithness Limestone and Indian Granite
Scope: Installation Only
Items: Interior and exterior stone floors, paving, staircases and ashlar cladding
CASE STUDY 4
VARIOUS PUBLIC REALM SCHEMES
Contractor: Utility providers and Civils contractors
Dates: On going
Stone: As required and to match current schemes
Scope: Supply and Installation
Items: Paving, steps, kerbs, cobbles and all public realm items
WE ARE CONSULTANTS
Irish Stone employ in-house teams of professionally qualified designers, quantity surveyors and project mangers to endure that all our clients are offered a unique service from concept, through design, procurement, delivery, installation and post completion maintenance. The team and the detail of each project is overseen by our Managing Director who is a RIBA Chartered Architect and MCIOB Chartered Building Manager.
Irish Stone work alongside other design professionals and contractors and are generally introduced to the project as sub-consultants.
CLIENT
CONCEPT DESIGN
MAINTENANCE & RESTORATION
ON-SITE SURVEYS
COMPLETED PROJECT
EXPERT WITNESS
INSTALLER
LOGISTICS
TECHNICAL DESIGN
MAIN CONTRACTOR
STRUCTURAL DESIGNER
VALUE ENGINEERING FABRICATOR
STONE MERCHANT
DOING THE IMPOSSIBLE
The impossible is possible with the right team collaborating around the table. When the merchant, the designer, the fabricator, the installer and the maintainer are all involved at the early stages of the seemingly impossible concept, the brief can be brought to reality.
Stone is the most versatile material in the world, only limited by the ability of the team working with it.
S tone AssistTM is a service offered by Irish Stone to construction professionals
Irish Stone is unique in the stone industry in that we provide a complete stone solution as designers, suppliers, fabricators, installers & maintainers of natural stone products.
Most other businesses in the stone industry specialise in one particular offering but our range of scope gives us this unique contribution to the design team. We will work alongside the design team to make sure that your vision is brought to reality and installed, as effectively, efficiently and economically as possible.
Contact our team now for your initial consultation. As we work extensively in the Belfast, Dublin and London markets face to face meetings are easily arranged. Other locations can be arranged or online meetings are also available.
STONE-ASSIST.COM
Fast, free & personalised response for all design & construction professionals.
help@stone-assist.com
ARTWORK
Introducing Inspire Stone, a new in-house production with Scribble Stone, which enables us to specialize in bespoke solid surface projects to create art installations, exhibitions, or interiors in collaboration with amazing artists. Hand-crafted typography, surface embellishments, and creative textures are integral to our work, allowing us to explore creative techniques in every project. We provide discerning clients with a unique and enjoyable design, supply & fit customer experience, with attention to detail as the primary factor in everything we do. Our process begins with the concept and design development and continues through the manufacturing, installation, and completion stages. Using traditional stone-masonry skills and expert carving in conjunction with modern design technology and innovative engineering, we are able to create the highest quality products for our clients, fostering collaboration to bring creative visions to life.
DESIGN | BESPOKE ITEMS
Whether it’s offering a one-stop design showcase for our products internationally or taking a leading role in designing your own particular project, the art and craft of design is one of our company’s cornerstones. As experts in private garden design we offer a full landscaping and design service that can develop and tailor your project, its products and its aesthetics. Irish Stone are also familiar with technical design and partner with Structural Engineering practices to provide a full detailed package of cladding systems and other dimensional stonework for commercial schemes.
CONDITION REPORTS SURVEYS
In relation to historic buildings and natural stone facades, Jonathan Booth and his experienced team offer detailed investigation of environmental conditions, decay mechanisms and structural stability based on surveys and periods of monitoring. They provide a client-focussed consultancy service based on their investigations, including full specifications, conservation reports and recommendations. They are regularly responsible for the development phase of natural stone projects including budget planning, initial reports, statements of significance, and applications for funding.
Jonathan Booth’s experience in the conservation of historic buildings, and natural stone installations draws on a unique combination of both the academic and the practical. Jonathan joined the RIBA as a Chartered Architect in 2001 and later joined the CIOB as a Chartered Building Manager in 2018. He is currently a Conservation Registrant with the RIBA and an affiliate member of the IHBC. We provide technical advice including budgetary guidance and offer cost effective solutions, including assistance with grant funding, through to technical specifications and procuring specific heritage materials to match perfectly.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Knightsbridge
Nazareth House, Londonderry
WE ARE CONSERVATORS
Renewed stone without any new stone. This is easier done than maybe you think. We carry out façade restoration of several Historic buildings across Ireland each year, often replacing stone but more often, cleaning, repairing, repointing and conserving for the next generation. Irish Stone also service the Hotel & Leisure industry throughout the UK and Ireland. We provide the following list of services. Stain removal, Diamond polishing, repairs and scratch elimination. Anti-slip surfaces, Re-grouting and mastic sealing and Impregnator for stain protection.
Brocket Hall, Hertfordshire
Orleans House, Twickenham
FACADE RESTORATION
Irish Stone are consultants and conservators of historic buildings, monuments and natural stone. We offer a unique combination of the academic and the practical, underpinned by years of natural stone conservation experience. We have worked on a wide range of churches and historic buildings, providing a full service from conservation reports and surveys, through to execution on site by our highly-skilled team of masons, carvers and conservators. The company operates both as a main contractor, sub-contractor and specialist consultant, advising and undertaking the repair and conservation of architectural stonework, church monuments, historic plaster and render as well as sculpture and decorative surfaces. We monitor and report on decay mechanisms as well as executing complex conservation specifications including the cleaning, consolidation, repair and replacement where necessary of historic fabric, sculpture and decoration.
Our approach to architectural stone conservation, whether in the context of a church tower, ancient monument or individual moulding, is one of sensitivity to the original intent of the building or object. We seek to understand the structure and materials as fully as possible before selecting an appropriate method of stone conservation. Solutions arise from careful investigation, discussion and trials, and are informed by our experience of historic structures and traditional materials in use. We aim not only to slow down the natural weathering and decay processes in stone but also to treat it in such a way that the overall eligibility and aesthetic quality of a building or object is re-established.
CASE STUDY 1 SERC CASTLE STREET, LISBURN
Contractor: H&J Martin
Dates: March 22 – July 22
Value: £149k
Stone: Locharbriggs Sandstone
Items: -Rake out and repoint stonework & brickwork to front elevation
-Replacement sliding Sash timber windows
-Replacement stonework due to Spalling of existing stonework
-Biocide wash and steam clean
CASE STUDY 2
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
BELVOIR PARK, HOSPITAL SITE
Contractor: Alskea
Dates: Sept 23 - April 25
Value: £200k
Stone: Whitten Fell Sandstone, Dukes Sandstone
Items: -Rake out and repoint stonework to all front elevation
-Replacement stonework due to spalling of existing stonework
-Rake out and repoint stonework to front elevation
-Replacement stonework due to spalling of existing stonework
-Biocide wash and steam clean
CASE STUDY 6
BISHOP STREET, LONDONDERRY
Contractor: Kevin Watson Group
Dates: Jun 20 - Feb 24
Value: £240k
Stone: Whitten Fell Sandstone
Items: -Rake out and repoint stonework & brickwork to front elevation
-Replacement stonework due to spalling of existing stonework
-Biocide wash and steam clean
CASE STUDY 7
MCCRACKEN MEMORIAL CHURCH MALONE ROAD, BELFAST
Contractor: McCracken Memorial Church
Dates: May 15 - June 19
Value: £180k
Stone: Dukes Sandstone, Portland Limestone
Items: -Rake out and repoint stonework to all elevation
-Replacement stonework due to spalling of existing stonework
-Biocide wash and steam clean
INTERIOR RESTORATION
Renewed stone without any new stone... Irish Stone, service the Hotel & Leisure industry throughout the UK and Ireland. We also work to retailers and in private residential properties, on a variety of stone, concrete, brick and ceramic projects to provide a delicate interior stone renovation
- Stain removal
- Scratch elimination
- Impregnator for stain protection
- 24/7 service for Hotel & Leisure industry
- Regrouting and mastic sealing
- Original stone finish restored
- Diamond polishing
- Anti-slip surfaces
- Stone repairs
Not another FM company, our work’s carried out by experienced stonemasons.
STREETSCAPE | REMEDIATION REPAIRS
When it comes to the remediation of Northern Ireland’s public realm streetscapes, Irish Stone are the specialists that you want to be working with.
Over the past 10 years, Irish Stone have worked with Civil’s companies and Utility providers repairing natural stone pavements and roads all over Northern Ireland.
As Irish Stone are stone merchants they also retain an extensive selection of stone in their Hillsborough stock yard that are specified and sized to meet the requirements of the current Northern Irish public realm schemes.
Irish Stone supply material to complete Public Realm schemes and are familiar with all the different stone specified across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Our stone will be the same material as the street is already paved in from the same quarry. In the event that through time the quarry has closed or the availability exhausted Irish stone will offer a very similar alternative complete with all test data to prove that the material can be deemed as “equal and approved.”
Irish Stone regularly visits the quarry’s across UK, Europe and Asia and keep watch on quality control. Our materials have all the testing data and certification that is required. Irish Stone are also distributors for some of the main concrete bedding and grout manufacturers.
Certification is part of testing, inspection and certification and the provision by an independent body of written assurance (a certificate) that the product, service or system in question meets specific requirements. At Irish Stone we have been accredited by several international and national bodies in order to be able to provide a quality service, to every customer or client, every time. Our variety of accreditation as shown above also sets us apart from our contemporaries in the natural stone sector in the UK and Ireland
