Welcome to the Museum

Over 100+ Years of History Over 3 Generations

Our History

A Legacy of Innovation and Resilience: Honoring over a century of craftsmanship, from our humble beginnings in 1903 to our commitment to excellence today.

The Dunne Legacy

Dunnes Workshop was founded in 1903 by Charles Dunne, a remarkably innovative craftsman who powered his sawmill with a steam engine. Known as both a skilled journeyman and a wheelwright, Charles crafted wheels and carts for local farmers. After his tragic passing in 1942, his wife Annie and son Joe took on the challenge of running the business, with support from Charles Harte. Together, they upheld the Dunne tradition through difficult times.

A new era began in 1959 when Joe married Anne. Facing the hardships of the 1960s, they worked tirelessly to grow the business, eventually building a team of over 40 employees by the 1980s, when their children Paul, Norah, and Ian joined the family trade.

In 2014, following Joe's passing, the company evolved further. Ian now leads the manufacturing of stairs, internal door kits, and external windows and doors, with a deep commitment to energy efficiency. At Dunne Eco, we are passionate about producing high-performance, passive-standard windows and doors, while staying true to our heritage in crafting quality stairs and internal doors.

Ian Dunne, Managing Director of Dunne Eco

Ian Dunne: Managing Director

The Journey

A Detailed Timeline Showcasing the Historic Milestones, Generational Dedication, and Craftsmanship That Shaped the Journey to Dunne Eco.

Charles Dunne, founder of the Dunne family joinery business

1st Generation

1903 - 1916

Charles Dunne started working as a journeyman tradesman. In 1915 he bought Blakefield where the original Workshop was started.

Ransome portable steam engine introduced to the Dunne workshop in 1916

Steam Power

1916 - 1942

In 1916 Charles purchased a Ransome portable steam engine and a rack bench where he started to mill timber to manufacure cart wheels, shafts & component parts for bog barrows and all other farm equipment.

Joe Dunne, 2nd generation of the Dunne family joinery business

2nd Generation

1942 - 1950

After the sad passing of Charles, his son Joe Dunne had to leave school and start his apprenticeship under the guidance of Charlie Harte. Joe was a very quick learner and like his father before him, was a very innovative man.

Joe Dunne building houses and commercial buildings in Tullamore, 1950s

House Building

1950 - 1970

Joe started building houses and the workshop was used to make the joinery for those houses. He progressed into building schools, banks and commercial buildings.

Joinery machinery in the Dunne workshop, 1970s

Joinery

1970 - 1980

Joe's love for joinery saw him purchase many machines and the business started to grow exponentially.

3rd generation of the Dunne family expanding the joinery business, 1980s

3rd Generation

1980 - 2014

Joe decided to close down the building and concentrate on the joinery. He was later joined by the 3rd generation who brought the business from 40 people to over 100 in 2003.

Dunne Eco logo, founded in 2015 by Ian Dunne

Dunne Eco Opens

2014 - 2018

Joe sadly passes away in mid 2014 and Dunnes Workshop was closed. Ian decided to go it alone and started Dunne Eco in 2015.

Dunne Eco team with new joinery machinery, new beginnings in 2018

New Beginnings

2018 - Present

Ian was joined by Joseph Egan, the head foreman out of Dunnes Workshop. Dunne Eco really took off from there with the purchases of new machines to produce the quality of joinery that we do today.

Heritage Gallery

Step back in time with our Heritage Gallery, showcasing treasured moments and craftsmanship that define our journey through the years.

Charles Dunne on the right and Joe Dunne in 1928
The staff heading to work in the late 1940s
Joe Dunne with Barney Glennon, Sean Castles, and Tony Marshall assembling frames in the 1970s
The workshop lads having their tea break in 1979
Steam power introduced to the factory in 1916
Sean Castles and Joe Dunne heading off on their 250 BSA in the 1940s
The lads air stacking timber for the roof of a house being built in Tullamore in the early 1950s
Tommy Smith and Christy McNevin test fitting a door into a frame in the 1980s
Transport to work in the early 1950s
Charlie Hart and Paul Mann, factory workers in the 1940s
Joe Dunne outside the workshop with the Ford and the first pickup with the split screen in the late 1950s
Joe, Sean and Cathal with the lads in the 1950s
Granny Dunne, Joe Dunne, Jimmy Crombie, and May Dunne with the traction steam engine in the late 1940s
Charles Dunne and Joe Lee building a shed in the early 1930s
Joe Dunne working on the saw bench in 1945
Des Lee, Brian Slevin, Sean Castles, and Noel Dunne outside the workshop in the late 1960s

Back Through The Years

Relive the artistry and dedication of our craft with these historical videos, capturing the essence of joinery through the decades.