28/08/2026
🎉 30 Years at Ashley Martin 🎉
Today we’re celebrating a brilliant milestone – 30 years of Noel Mclaughlin at Ashley Martin.
Noel joined us as a young teenager and apprentice joiner, working alongside many of the same people he still works with today. With very few cars at the factory back then, Noel remembers getting the local factory bus to and from work in Carndonagh each day.
After completing his four year apprenticeship, Noel became a joiner and went on to become one of our most experienced senior joiners. Over the years, he’s helped train many of the younger joiners coming through the business, passing on his skill and knowledge along the way.
A lot has changed in those 30 years. When Noel started, there were only a couple of table saws in the workshop, so he has seen the factory grow, expand and modernise over the years, with new technology and machinery completely changing how the team works.
Noel says he’s learned a lot over the years, particularly from his colleagues Joseph McColgan, Eamonn McGuinness and Eamon McDonald. He has plenty of early project memories too, from McElhinneys Department Store and Neil Doherty Jewellers in Carndonagh to countless Clarins and Lancôme cosmetic units and various pharmacy projects.
One that really stands out is Brown Thomas Dundrum, where Ashley Martin produced all departments throughout the new store. Seeing the finished project in person was a proud moment for him and the team.
A lot has changed for Noel personally too. He’s gone from a young apprentice to a husband and dad of four, while building a career and becoming an important part of the Ashley Martin team.
Anyone who works with Noel knows him as extremely reliable and a true team player, he gets on with the job and gets it done right. He’s always up for the craic too, with a bit of Robbie Williams never too far away!
His advice to the next generation? Listen, take everything in, remember every day is a learning day, and take your time to do the job right.
As for what’s kept him here for 30 years, Noel says it’s the different types of work, being part of a local company and, most importantly, the people. The craic helps too – especially when Alan Orr is around! 😂 He also speaks very fondly of John and Marie, who he describes as great people to work for.
30 years is some milestone, Noel. 👏
From John, Marie and all the team, thank you for your hard work, loyalty and everything you’ve brought to Ashley Martin over the years.
Here’s to the next chapter!
