Who’s Who in 2022, Business: David Comiskey

One of the strengths of the Comiskey Group’s growth and major expansion plans over the next two years is its close family connections, says co-founder and director David Comiskey.

For nearly two decades the business has been a driver of development in this region and it now has a growing footprint on the Sunshine Coast.

In that time the workload has increased for the directors - David, his brother Robert and father Paul, whose career in this industry began in 1974 at Strathpine.

“The reason I think the company works so well is that I couldn’t do this without two other people,” David Comiskey said.
“The trust I have in both of them … I don’t think you could do that with other people.”
That close working relationship is currently working on doubling the company portfolio in the next two years when its workforce could reach almost 800.
The Comiskey Group proposes to add the Strathpine Hotel and Recreation Centre, Dakabin Hotel, Aura Hotel, Coochin Fields festival site and a distillery to its fast-growing stable.
This is in addition to opening The Doonan near Noosa, renovating the Samford Hotel and finishing upgrades to the Harry Brown bottle shop at Eatons Hill.

About David Comiskey

David Comiskey already had a foothold in the industry when he helped found the Comiskey Group.

He ran Building Design Solutions / Comiskey Design and Drafting, a residential design business for many years.

Mr Comiskey has an Associated Diploma of Engineering and the company website says he is “is heavily involved and passionate about the design, construction and maintenance of each development”.

It began in 2001 when Paul Comiskey and sons Robert and David, launched Finnigan’s Chins Irish pubs. Three years later they formed the Comiskey Group.

They built and operated 37 Tadpoles childcare centres, the first opened in Burpengary, from 2004-2010 and then sold the business.

Beachmere Tavern (now Beachmere Hotel) and shopping centre was launched in 2007 and in 2011 Eatons Hill Hotel, the largest pub in the southern hemisphere, opened

The same year, land at Sandstone Point, beside the Bribie Island Bridge, was bought and in 2015 became home to the Sandstone Point Hotel.

Other developments include Cashmere Shopping Centre, Eatons Hill Shopping Village, Coles Buderim, BIG 4 Sandstone Point Holiday Resort and Burpengary Station Village.

David Comiskey told Moreton Life several years ago, he and brother Robert hope their children will also work away from the family business, before returning with new skills.