Our Story
From sawmill to café in the heart of the Dublin Mountains
Our Beginnings
In the early 1980s, our journey began high in the Dublin Mountains, where we started the first operations of our sawmill. In 1986, husband & wife, Henry and Shirley O’Kelly officially founded O’Kelly’s Sawmill & The Shed Man, laying the foundations for what would later become Timbertrove - a family-run business built on craftsmanship, hard work, and community spirit.
For over 39 years, Timbertrove has grown and evolved, adapting to the times while staying true to our roots in the Dublin Mountains.
A Turning Point
When the construction sector collapsed in 2009, disaster struck - our sales disappeared overnight. But as one chapter closed, another opened. With more walkers and cyclists visiting the nearby Hell Fire Club and Massy’s Wood, we began serving coffee and home-baked treats from our yard. What started as a small idea soon became something special.
The Café Today
From that spark,our Country Store and Café at Timbertrove was born.
Our mission was simple: to serve delicious, home-baked food and great coffee in a cosy, welcoming setting, surrounded by the breath-taking views of Dublin Bay and the Dublin Mountains.
Today, our café has become a much-loved stop for locals and visitors alike — and our best-selling product isn’t timber, but our famous scone!
Read More About Our Journey
Discover more in the Irish Independent feature — “Never Give Up on a Good Thing”.
The Story Of Timbertrove
We are proud to present The Story of Timbertrove, written by our founder Shirley O’Kelly.
Launched on September 27th, 2022, this inspiring book shares the story behind our family business - from humble beginnings to the challenges, resilience, and achievements that shaped who we are today.
Most of all, it’s the story of Shirley and Henry, their family, and the journey of O’Kelly’s Sawmills and Timbertrove - through ups and downs, good times and bad.
Proudly Family Run Since 1986
Now in it's second generation, Timbertrove continues to thrive under the O’Kelly family. Henry and Shirley are joined by their daughter Danielle as Director, Ciara on the creative side, and Conor, who runs O’Kelly Contracts - offering hedge cutting, wood chipping, and site clearance services.
