Walls of the Irish rising in Mound House

MOUND HOUSE - The McFaddens have accomplished something they believe they never could've done in Ireland.

They've bought their own stretch of land, about three acres in this industrial community, and are building their own office. They will employ more than 30 in their peak season, after Celtic Lawn & Landscape opens in April.

"This is exciting," John McFadden said Friday as his contractor lowered the walls of their 4,600-square-foot building into place. They'll lease out about half of it to another business. "It's nice to have your own place to come to, and for customers to visit."

The McFaddens have leased a quarter of an acre in Mound House for about a year.

The Emerald Isle is McFadden's home country and where Linda Cross-McFadden's parents are from. The couple, who now live in Dayton, met in Limerick while working at Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Course. He was the superintendent and estate manager. She was the golf director. They return to Ireland about once a year, and still miss several aspects of it, but they say the business climate was not as favorable.

"The cost of living there is astronomical," said Cross-McFadden, 46. "The payroll tax is at 42 percent now."

In Nevada it's .64 percent of each dollar.

The cost of construction is also high because most buildings in Ireland are made out of concrete, because of the moist weather, said McFadden, 40.

Scully Steel, of Mound House, is using light-gauge panels of fabricated wood and steel to construct the walls of 86 Linehan Road. The total cost of the building will be about $500,000.

The new building, which is north of American Ready Mix, will house the office and warehouse. The couple thinks of this building as the center hub of their operations with residential and commercial properties in Carson City, Dayton and Minden. They also work with large residential builders and commercial properties.

They believe Mound House is coming into its own as a business center and residential area. A local developer is planning a high-density residential and commercial center north of Highway 50.

The McFaddens are glad they got in when the prices were right. They bought their three acres in May 2004 for $150,000.

• Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.