Charles McCarthy set up a Plumbing business at 41 Paul St. in 1881. As well as plumbing, heating and drainage installations, they carried out gas lighting in Dublin Castle and throughout Cork City. The contracts they carried out at that time were new laboratories for Trinity College Dublin, UCC's Chemical Building, the Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital Cork, Cork Exhibitions and Shandon Chemical Works. The business moved to new premises in 1901 at Emmet House, Emmet Place. The business continued to expand throughout the 20th Century which was run by his sons Charles F. McCarthy and Florence McCarthy. Some of the contracts of note were the The Bons Secour Hospitals Cork and Tralee, Orthopedic, Mercy Hospitals, hotels, institutions, churches and residences throughout Munster. During the "Emergency" they worked on fitting out ships at Cork Dockyard.
They have always kept up with industry changes and still carry out all types of mechanical services work i.e." from installing a steam boiler to repairing a ballvalve". The tradition of top level craftsmanship has always been maintained within the company.