Join us for an inspiring conversation with Peter Finn, aka Pete the Builder, as he shares his journey from apprentice carpenter to becoming one of Ireland's most recognizable faces in construction.

In this episode, Pete opens up about his early days learning the trade, how he accidentally stumbled into television on RTÉ's "Room to Improve" with Dermot Bannon, and the evolution of his social media presence. He discusses the viral "Galway Races" moment that took the internet by storm, working with content creators like John McGuigan, and his thoughts on how social media is changing perceptions of the construction industry.

Pete also shares valuable life advice about consistency, mental health, and his philosophy of "this too will pass." We explore his business MDS Construction, his partnership ventures including the magical Christmas experience at Logos, and his excitement for Ice Expo 2026.

Whether you're in the trades, thinking about a career in construction, or just love a good Irish success story, this episode is packed with humor, honesty, and hard-earned wisdom from one of Ireland's favorite builders.

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro & Sponsor Message

00:00:12 - Welcome & Introduction to Pete the Builder

00:00:28 - Early Days: How Pete Got Started in Construction

• Growing up with a love for building
• Getting his apprenticeship with Hugh Riley
• Learning to build houses from foundation to finish

00:01:42 - Breaking Into Television

• First call from Room to Improve with Dermot Bannon
• Feeling comfortable in front of cameras
• Doing eight episodes over six series

00:02:48 - Transition to Home Rescue & Social Media

• Moving to the Home Rescue spinoff show
• Reluctantly getting into social media
• Understanding the importance of building a brand

00:04:00 - Origin of "Pete the Builder"

• Working with Galway roofers
• How a casual nickname became a brand

00:04:22 - Dealing with Online Negativity

• The reality of having a public profile
• Handling personal attacks and trolls
• The block button strategy

00:06:34 - Balancing Business and TV Fame

• TV work being only 5-10% of his time
• Managing MDS Construction with business partner Mark
• Doing one-off houses, extensions, and conservation work

00:08:05 - Creating Content & Staying Authentic

• The time-consuming nature of social media
• Why being yourself is easier than acting
• Having confidence in his construction knowledge

00:10:15 - The Importance of Banter & Communication

• Learning to communicate better with teams
• Letting tradespeople work their own way
• Creating a fun but productive work environment

00:12:06 - That Viral Galway Races Moment

• Coming up with the "ride" joke spontaneously
• Alan Barry's reaction and collaboration
• Getting 5 million views and going viral on TikTok

00:15:29 - [SPONSOR BREAK]

00:15:38 - Collaborations & Content Creation

• Working with John McGuigan on comedy skits
• The banned Santa Claus video
• Creating easy, authentic content

00:18:02 - How Social Media Is Changing Construction

• Breaking down old stereotypes
• The evolution of technology in building
• Increased communication and professionalism

00:19:34 - Irish Craftsmanship & Trade Skills

• Ireland's excellence at World Skills competitions
• The need to value trades more at home
• Comparing Ireland to Australia and Germany's respect for trades

00:22:06 - Stories from the Sites

• Hilarious breakfast roll mix-up story
• The magazine in the lunch box prank
• Working with deaf and talented tilers

00:24:20 - Ice Expo 2025 Recap

• First impressions of the exhibition
• The digger challenge competition
• Meeting hundreds of people and the incredible turnout

00:27:07 - Why Ice Expo Is Unique

• Bringing international shows to Ireland
• Saving exhibitors massive transport costs
• The grassroots, hands-on nature of the event

00:29:04 - Ice Expo 2026 Plans

• New app for exhibitors
• Tire change challenge returning
• Conor's digger challenge comeback

00:30:25 - Best Advice: Stay Consistent

• Learning from John Kavanagh and MMA
• The power of showing up every day
• Applying consistency to any area of life

00:32:04 - Philosophy: "This Too Will Pass"

• Marcus Aurelius and training for Hell Week
• Dealing with mental health challenges
• Perspective on good times and bad times

00:34:05 - What's Next for Pete the Builder

• Plans for future TV shows
• Potential book project
• Social media ideas and jujitsu goals

00:35:54 - Logos: The Christmas Experience

• Ten years of Logos and recent reinvestment
• Creating authentic magical family moments
• The real forest, log cabins, and professional actors

00:37:33 - Easter, Halloween & Christmas at Logos

• New train ride through the forest
• Stunning views over Dublin
• How to get tickets

00:38:59 - Closing Remarks

• Looking forward to Ice Expo 2026
• Prizes and activities planned

00:39:27 - Outro & Sponsor Message