Lorclon's Michael O'Meara from just outside Birr with Richard Branson.

Birr man's UK company is on the Virgin fast track

Michael O'Meara has a bright future. The joint MD of London-based civil engineering company Lorclon, who hails from just outside Riverstown near Birr, may see his company come under the umbrella of Sir Richard Branson's Virgin group of companies after being flagged as one of the fastest growing companies in the UK. "In time we could be part of the Virgin group," Mr O'Meara said this week, admitting that Sir Branson is "looking into the company". Though at the very early stages yet, he said joining up with the Virgin group would be just one of the benefits of being included in the latest Sunday Times Fast Track 100 league table that's co-sponsored by Virgin. On May 15 last Michael, his business partner Kevin Leahy and their Fast Track 100 colleagues spent the day at Sir Branson's family home in Oxfordshire. The event was "partially to network and partially to have a good time" he said. Guests including Barclay's UK and Ireland MD Ian Stuart and Sunday Times Business Editor Dominic O'Connell were greeted at the stately home and welcomed to a marquee at its rear with a champagne and strawberry reception. Sir Branson spent time talking to all present according to Mr O'Meara. "He's a very interesting character," he said. "He was telling us he has over 300 companies under the Virgin brand and he's always looking for new companies out there." Mr O'Meara said he would certainly be interested in the idea. However though he has been based in London for the past 20 years he commutes a lot and his future, he says, lies in farming at home in Ireland with his brother Declan. His sister Michelle has also made the decision to relocate home from London in recent years incidentally, currently running fashion boutique "Jazz" in Birr town centre. "That's where my future is down the line," he said, adding that this Internet age means "you can work anywhere in the world". Lorclon was set up by Michael O'Meara and Kevin Leahy in 2006, after they originally met on the hurling pitch. "We saw a gap in the market and took the break," Mr O'Meara explained. "People said we were mad at the height of the recession, but we haven't looked back." In fact the recession has almost been kind to Lorclon, which currently employs just over 100 workers. In Celtic Tiger times Mr O'Meara said he struggled at times to find workers, but now he can recruit the best. Lorclon's main work right now is with the London Olympics and a Docklands railway extension. Its turnover grew from £1.8m in 2008 to £7m in 2011. "You never know what's around the corner, but the last couple of years have been very good to me in London," he said.