A stonemason that gives a fuck
I care about the stone, the structure, the finish and the people I’m building it for.
After more than 30 years in construction—from small stone jobs in Ireland to major civil projects and award-winning bridges across Australia—I’ve returned to the work that has always meant the most to me: creating distinctive, lasting things from stone.
Our story
I grew up in a little corner of the world - a small parish called Gusserane in County Wexford of South East Ireland. I come from a place where stone is more than a building material.
It marks boundaries, shelters families, shapes communities and connects people to the land. From dry-stone walls and old cottages to bridges, monuments and places of meaning, stone carries history.
That relationship with stone has stayed with me throughout my life. It influences how I work today: with respect for the material, an understanding of structure and an appreciation for natural form, texture and place.
My work is grounded in traditional Irish and Celtic craftsmanship, but it is not about copying the past. It is about carrying forward the integrity, skill and individuality behind it, and using those principles to create something original.
Where it began
I grew up in a little corner of the world - a small parish called Gusserane in County Wexford of South East Ireland. I come from a place where stone is more than a building material.
It marks boundaries, shelters families, shapes communities and connects people to the land. From dry-stone walls and old cottages to bridges, monuments and places of meaning, stone carries history.
That relationship with stone has stayed with me throughout my life. It influences how I work today: with respect for the material, an understanding of structure and an appreciation for natural form, texture and place.
My work is grounded in traditional Irish and Celtic craftsmanship, but it is not about copying the past. It is about carrying forward the integrity, skill and individuality behind it, and using those principles to create something original.
From small stonework to major structures
As I got older, I travelled and took on increasingly complex construction work.
My career took me through the United States and London before eventually bringing me to Australia. Over the following decades, I worked my way through the construction industry, progressing from a farm hand and apprentice to senior leadership roles on major civil projects valued at more than $300 million.
For 12 years, I helped deliver more than 20 bridges across Australia. Several were recognised for their architectural and construction quality, including industry award-winning projects.
I was promoted year after year because I understood how to lead people, solve problems and keep complex projects moving. My role was not only to build structures, but to support teams, coordinate sites and make sure the work was delivered safely and properly.
I eventually became a General Superintendent, overseeing major civil works and carrying responsibility for large teams, difficult builds and significant projects.
It was a long way from the farm in Ireland.
Returning to the work I loved
I was proud of what I had achieved, but eventually I reached the point where I no longer wanted to keep climbing.
The bigger the projects became, the further I felt from the part of building I loved most: working with my hands, creating something original and seeing an idea come to life in the material.
I missed the artistic side of the work.
After a close call with cancer, that feeling became impossible to ignore. Life was too short to keep postponing the one I actually wanted.
So I stepped away from a secure career and the pace of Sydney life and moved to the Capricorn Coast in Queensland. I chose to start again, return to stone masonry and build a life centred around craftsmanship, creativity and meaningful work.
Both of my grandfathers worked well into their late eighties. They taught me that work can remain part of a good life when it gives you purpose.
This is the work I want to keep doing.
Emustone today
Today, Emustone brings together everything I have learned across more than three decades.
The structural knowledge of major civil construction.
The discipline of traditional masonry.
The resourcefulness I learned on farms and building sites.
And the artistic instinct that first drew me to stone.
I create bespoke stonework for gardens, landscapes and homes—from substantial walls and outdoor structures to interior pieces, candle holders and one-of-a-kind sculptures.
Every project is different because every site, stone and client is different.
I do not believe in rushing the work or repeating the same design everywhere. I take the time to understand the space, choose the right materials and build something that feels as though it belongs.
My values and how I work
I’ll work hard, travel far and take on difficult projects—but I won’t compromise on the quality of the work or the way people treat each other.
I put a lot of myself into every project, so who I work with matters to me. I believe in honesty, integrity, hard work and clear communication. I’ll be upfront about what is possible, keep you informed and treat your home, property and ideas with respect.
In return, I value clients who communicate openly, treat people well and understand that exceptional craftsmanship takes time, care and collaboration.
I’m happy to travel, work in remote locations and take on unusual or demanding projects when the fit is right. I choose my work carefully—not because every job needs to be grand, but because every working relationship should be built on mutual respect.
I’m not interested in cutting corners or staying busy for the sake of it. I’m interested in building things properly, with people who care.
I don’t need every project to be easy. I do need the working relationship to be respectful.
Emustone is a small business, and I’m proud to work alongside other local trades, makers and suppliers wherever possible. Supporting good people and local businesses is part of how I choose to work.
