CRH PUBLIC LTD CO (SEC Filing Page | XBRL Cloud Viewer | XBRL Instance)

Line	Label	Object Class	Period Type	Balance	Report ElementName
1	1001 - Document - Document and Entity Information	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DocumentandEntityInformation
2	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
3	Document and entity information [abstract]	Abstract			crh:DocumentAndEntityInformationAbstract
4	Document Type	Concept (Submission Type)	For Period		dei:DocumentType
5	Amendment Flag	Concept (Yes/No)	For Period		dei:AmendmentFlag
6	Document Period End Date	Concept (Date)	For Period		dei:DocumentPeriodEndDate
7	Document Fiscal Year Focus	Concept (Year)	For Period		dei:DocumentFiscalYearFocus
8	Document Fiscal Period Focus	Concept (Fiscal Period)	For Period		dei:DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus
9	Trading Symbol	Concept (Text/String)	For Period		dei:TradingSymbol
10	Entity Registrant Name	Concept (Text/String)	For Period		dei:EntityRegistrantName
11	Entity Central Index Key	Concept (CIK Number)	For Period		dei:EntityCentralIndexKey
12	Current Fiscal Year End Date	Concept (Month/Day)	For Period		dei:CurrentFiscalYearEndDate
13	Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Concept (Yes/No)	For Period		dei:EntityWellKnownSeasonedIssuer
14	Entity Current Reporting Status	Concept (Yes/No)	For Period		dei:EntityCurrentReportingStatus
15	Entity Filer Category	Concept (Filer Category)	For Period		dei:EntityFilerCategory
16	Entity Emerging Growth Company	Concept (Yes/No)	For Period		dei:EntityEmergingGrowthCompany
17	Entity Shell Company	Concept (Yes/No)	For Period		dei:EntityShellCompany
18	Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	Concept (Shares)	As Of		dei:EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding
19	1003 - Statement - Consolidated Income Statement	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfComprehensiveIncomeProfitOrLossByFunctionOfExpense-310000
20	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
21	Profit or loss [abstract]	Abstract			ifrs-full:IncomeStatementAbstract
22	Revenue	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:Revenue
23	Cost of sales	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:CostOfSales
24	Gross profit	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:GrossProfit
25	Operating costs	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:OperatingExpense
26	Group operating profit	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossFromOperatingActivities
27	(Loss)/profit on disposals	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:ProfitLossOnDisposalsFromBusinessAndOtherNoncurrentAssets
28	Profit before finance costs	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:ProfitLossBeforeFinanceCosts
29	Finance costs	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:FinanceCosts
30	Finance income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:FinanceIncome
31	Other financial expense	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:OtherFinanceCost
32	Share of equity accounted investments' profit	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ShareOfProfitLossOfAssociatesAndJointVenturesAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
33	Profit before tax from continuing operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossBeforeTax
34	Income tax expense	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:IncomeTaxExpenseContinuingOperations
35	Group profit for the financial year from continuing operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossFromContinuingOperations
36	Profit after tax for the financial year from discontinued operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossFromDiscontinuedOperations
37	Group profit for the financial year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLoss
38	Profit attributable to:	Abstract			ifrs-full:ProfitLossAttributableToAbstract
39	Equity holders of the Company	Abstract			ifrs-full:ProfitLossAttributableToOrdinaryEquityHoldersOfParentEntityAbstract
40	From continuing operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IncomeFromContinuingOperationsAttributableToOwnersOfParent
41	From discontinued operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IncomeFromDiscontinuedOperationsAttributableToOwnersOfParent
42	Non-controlling interests	Abstract			crh:ProfitLossAttributableToNonControllingInterestsAbstract
43	From continuing operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossFromContinuingOperationsAttributableToNoncontrollingInterests
44	Group profit for the financial year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLoss
45	Basic earnings per Ordinary Share	Concept (Share)	For Period		ifrs-full:BasicEarningsLossPerShare
46	Diluted earnings per Ordinary Share	Concept (Share)	For Period		ifrs-full:DilutedEarningsLossPerShare
47	Basic earnings per Ordinary Share from continuing operations	Concept (Share)	For Period		ifrs-full:BasicEarningsLossPerShareFromContinuingOperations
48	Diluted earnings per Ordinary Share from continuing operations	Concept (Share)	For Period		ifrs-full:DilutedEarningsLossPerShareFromContinuingOperations
49	1004 - Statement - Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfComprehensiveIncomeOCIComponentsPresentedNetOfTax-410000
50	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
51	Statement of comprehensive income [abstract]	Abstract			ifrs-full:StatementOfComprehensiveIncomeAbstract
52	Group profit for the financial year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLoss
53	Other comprehensive income	Abstract			ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncomeAbstract
54	Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent years:	Abstract			ifrs-full:ComponentsOfOtherComprehensiveIncomeThatWillBeReclassifiedToProfitOrLossNetOfTaxAbstract
55	Currency translation effects	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxExchangeDifferencesOnTranslation
56	(Losses)/gains relating to cash flow hedges	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:GainsLossesOnCashFlowHedgesBeforeTax
57	Tax relating to cash flow hedges	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:IncomeTaxRelatingToCashFlowHedgesOfOtherComprehensiveIncome
58	Other comprehensive income that will be reclassified to profit or loss net of tax	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncomeThatWillBeReclassifiedToProfitOrLossNetOfTax
59	Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent years:	Abstract			ifrs-full:ComponentsOfOtherComprehensiveIncomeThatWillNotBeReclassifiedToProfitOrLossNetOfTaxAbstract
60	Remeasurement of retirement benefit obligations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncomeBeforeTaxGainsLossesOnRemeasurementsOfDefinedBenefitPlans
61	Tax relating to retirement benefit obligations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:IncomeTaxRelatingToRemeasurementsOfDefinedBenefitPlansOfOtherComprehensiveIncome
62	Other comprehensive income that will not be reclassified to profit or loss net of tax	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncomeThatWillNotBeReclassifiedToProfitOrLossNetOfTax
63	Total other comprehensive income for the financial year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncome
64	Total comprehensive income for the financial year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ComprehensiveIncome
65	Attributable to:	Abstract			ifrs-full:ComprehensiveIncomeAttributableToAbstract
66	Equity holders of the Company	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ComprehensiveIncomeAttributableToOwnersOfParent
67	Non-controlling interests	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ComprehensiveIncomeAttributableToNoncontrollingInterests
68	Total comprehensive income for the financial year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ComprehensiveIncome
69	1005 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheet	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfFinancialPositionCurrentNonCurrent-210000
70	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
71	Statement of financial position [abstract]	Abstract			ifrs-full:StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract
72	ASSETS	Abstract			ifrs-full:AssetsAbstract
73	Non-current assets	Abstract			ifrs-full:NoncurrentAssetsAbstract
74	Property, plant and equipment	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:PropertyPlantAndEquipment
75	Intangible assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:IntangibleAssetsAndGoodwill
76	Investments accounted for using the equity method	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:InvestmentAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
77	Other financial assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:OtherNoncurrentFinancialAssets
78	Other receivables	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:OtherNoncurrentReceivables
79	Derivative financial instruments	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentDerivativeFinancialAssets
80	Deferred income tax assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:DeferredTaxAssets
81	Total non-current assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentAssets
82	Current assets	Abstract			ifrs-full:CurrentAssetsAbstract
83	Inventories	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:Inventories
84	Trade and other receivables	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherCurrentReceivables
85	Current income tax recoverable	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CurrentTaxAssetsCurrent
86	Derivative financial instruments	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CurrentDerivativeFinancialAssets
87	Cash and cash equivalents	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalents
88	Assets held for sale	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentAssetsOrDisposalGroupsClassifiedAsHeldForSaleOrAsHeldForDistributionToOwners
89	Total current assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CurrentAssets
90	Total assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:Assets
91	Capital and reserves attributable to the Company's equity holders	Abstract			ifrs-full:EquityAbstract
92	Equity share capital	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:IssuedCapital
93	Preference share capital	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:PreferenceIssuedCapital
94	Share premium account	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:SharePremium
95	Treasury Shares and own shares	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:TreasuryShares
96	Other reserves	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherReserves
97	Foreign currency translation reserve	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:ReserveOfExchangeDifferencesOnTranslation
98	Retained income	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:RetainedEarnings
99	Capital and reserves attributable to the Company's equity holders	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:EquityAttributableToOwnersOfParent
100	Non-controlling interests	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NoncontrollingInterests
101	Total equity	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:Equity
102	LIABILITIES	Abstract			ifrs-full:LiabilitiesAbstract
103	Non-current liabilities	Abstract			ifrs-full:NoncurrentLiabilitiesAbstract
104	Interest-bearing loans and borrowings	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:LongtermBorrowings
105	Derivative financial instruments	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentDerivativeFinancialLiabilities
106	Deferred income tax liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:DeferredTaxLiabilities
107	Other payables	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherPayables
108	Retirement benefit obligations	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentRecognisedLiabilitiesDefinedBenefitPlan
109	Provisions for liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentProvisions
110	Total non-current liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentLiabilities
111	Current liabilities	Abstract			ifrs-full:CurrentLiabilitiesAbstract
112	Trade and other payables	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherCurrentPayables
113	Current income tax liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:CurrentTaxLiabilitiesCurrent
114	Interest-bearing loans and borrowings	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:CurrentBorrowingsAndCurrentPortionOfNoncurrentBorrowings
115	Derivative financial instruments	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:CurrentDerivativeFinancialLiabilities
116	Provisions for liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:CurrentProvisions
117	Liabilities associated with assets classified as held for sale	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:LiabilitiesIncludedInDisposalGroupsClassifiedAsHeldForSale
118	Total current liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:CurrentLiabilities
119	Total liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:Liabilities
120	Total equity and liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:EquityAndLiabilities
121	1006 - Statement - Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfChangesInEquity-610000
122	Statement of changes in equity [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:StatementOfChangesInEquityTable
123	Components of equity [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ComponentsOfEquityAxis
124	Equity [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EquityMember
125	Issued share capital [member]	Member			ifrs-full:IssuedCapitalMember
126	Share premium account [member]	Member			ifrs-full:SharePremiumMember
127	Treasury Shares/Own Shares [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TreasurySharesMember
128	Other reserves [member]	Member			ifrs-full:OtherReservesMember
129	Foreign currency translation reserve [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ReserveOfExchangeDifferencesOnTranslationMember
130	Retained earnings [member]	Member			ifrs-full:RetainedEarningsMember
131	Non-controlling interests [member]	Member			ifrs-full:NoncontrollingInterestsMember
132	Statement of changes in equity [line items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:StatementOfChangesInEquityLineItems
133	Beginning balance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:Equity
134	Group profit for the financial year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLoss
135	Other comprehensive income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncome
136	Total comprehensive income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ComprehensiveIncome
137	Issue of share capital (net of expenses)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IssueOfEquity
138	Share-based payment expense	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughSharebasedPaymentTransactions
139	Shares acquired by CRH plc (Treasury Shares)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:IncreaseDecreaseThroughTreasurySharesAcquired
140	Treasury/own shares reissued	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughTreasuryShareTransactions
141	Shares acquired by Employee Benefit Trust (own shares)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:IncreaseDecreaseThroughSharesAcquiredByEmployeeBenefitTrust
142	Shares distributed under the Performance Share Plan Awards	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:SharesDistributedUnderThePerformanceSharePlanAwards
143	Tax relating to share-based payment expense	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:DecreaseIncreaseThroughTaxOnSharebasedPaymentTransactions
144	Share option exercises	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughExerciseOfOptions
145	Dividends (including shares issued in lieu of dividends)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:DividendsPaid
146	Non-controlling interests arising on acquisition of subsidiaries	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughAcquisitionOfSubsidiary
147	Transactions involving non-controlling interests	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:IncreaseDecreaseThroughTransactionsInvolvingNoncontrollingInterest
148	Ending balance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:Equity
149	1007 - Statement - Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfCashFlowsIndirectMethod-520000
150	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
151	Statement of cash flows [abstract]	Abstract			ifrs-full:StatementOfCashFlowsAbstract
152	Cash flows from operating activities	Abstract			ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract
153	Profit before tax from continuing operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossBeforeTax
154	Profit before tax from discontinued operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:ProfitLossBeforeTaxDiscontinuedOperations1
155	Profit before tax	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:ProfitLossBeforeTaxFromContinuingAndDiscontinuingOperations
156	Finance costs (net)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForFinanceIncomeCost
157	Share of equity accounted investments' profit	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForUndistributedProfitsOfInvestmentsAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
158	Profit on disposals	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:ProfitOnDisposalOfBusinessAndNonCurrentAssetsFromContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperations
159	Group operating profit	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:ProfitLossFromOperatingActivitiesContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperations
160	Depreciation charge	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForDepreciationExpense
161	Amortisation of intangible assets	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForAmortisationExpense
162	Impairment charge	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForImpairmentLossReversalOfImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLoss
163	Share-based payment expense	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForSharebasedPayments
164	Other (primarily pension payments)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherCashPaymentsFromOperatingActivities
165	Net movement on working capital and provisions	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseInWorkingCapital
166	Cash generated from operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInOperations
167	Interest paid (including finance leases)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:InterestPaidClassifiedAsOperatingActivities
168	Corporation tax paid	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IncomeTaxesPaidClassifiedAsOperatingActivities
169	Net cash inflow from operating activities	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInOperatingActivities
170	Cash flows from investing activities	Abstract			ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract
171	Proceeds from disposals (net of cash disposed and deferred proceeds)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:NetProceedsFromDisposalsFromBusinessAndOtherNoncurrentAssets
172	Interest received	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:InterestReceivedClassifiedAsInvestingActivities
173	Dividends received from equity accounted investments	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:DividendsReceivedFromInvestmentsAccountedForUsingEquityMethodClassifiedAsInvestingActivities
174	Purchase of property, plant and equipment	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:PurchaseOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentClassifiedAsInvestingActivities
175	Acquisition of subsidiaries (net of cash acquired)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:CashFlowsUsedInObtainingControlOfSubsidiariesOrOtherBusinessesClassifiedAsInvestingActivities
176	Other investments and advances	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:PurchaseOfOtherInvestmentsAndAdvancesClassifiedAsInvestingActivities
177	Deferred and contingent acquisition consideration paid	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:DeferredAndContingentAcquisitionConsiderationPaid
178	Net cash outflow from investing activities	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInInvestingActivities
179	Cash flows from financing activities	Abstract			ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract
180	Proceeds from issue of shares (net)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ProceedsFromIssuingShares
181	Proceeds from exercise of share options	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ProceedsFromExerciseOfOptions
182	Transactions involving non-controlling interests	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:PaymentsFromTransactionsInvolvingNoncontrollingInterests
183	Increase in interest-bearing loans, borrowings and finance leases	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ProceedsFromBorrowingsClassifiedAsFinancingActivities
184	Net cash flow arising from derivative financial instruments	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:NetCashFlowFromDerivativeFinancialInstruments
185	Premium paid on early debt redemption	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:PremiumPaidOnEarlyDebtRedemption
186	Treasury/own shares purchased	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:PaymentsToAcquireOrRedeemEntitysShares
187	Repayment of interest-bearing loans, borrowings and finance leases	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:RepaymentsOfBorrowingsClassifiedAsFinancingActivities
188	Dividends paid to equity holders of the Company	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:DividendsPaidToEquityHoldersOfParentClassifiedAsFinancingActivities
189	Dividends paid to non-controlling interests	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:DividendsPaidToNoncontrollingInterestsClassifiedAsFinancingActivities
190	Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing activities	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInFinancingActivities
191	Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseInCashAndCashEquivalentsBeforeEffectOfExchangeRateChanges
192	Reconciliation of opening to closing cash and cash equivalents	Abstract			crh:ReconciliationOfOpeningToClosingCashAndCashEquivalentsAbstract
193	Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalentsIfDifferentFromStatementOfFinancialPosition
194	Translation adjustment	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:EffectOfExchangeRateChangesOnCashAndCashEquivalents
195	Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseInCashAndCashEquivalentsBeforeEffectOfExchangeRateChanges
196	Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalentsIfDifferentFromStatementOfFinancialPosition
197	1008 - Disclosure - Accounting Policies	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesExplanatory
198	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
199	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
200	Accounting Policies	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesExplanatory
201	1009 - Disclosure - Revenue	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfRevenueExplanatory
202	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
203	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
204	Revenue	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfRevenueExplanatory
205	1010 - Disclosure - Segment Information	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfEntitysReportableSegmentsExplanatory
206	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
207	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
208	Segment Information	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfEntitysReportableSegmentsExplanatory
209	1011 - Disclosure - Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfAssetsHeldForSaleAndDiscontinuedOperationsExplanatory
210	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
211	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
212	Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfAssetsHeldForSaleAndDiscontinuedOperationsExplanatory
213	1012 - Disclosure - Cost Analysis	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfExpensesByNatureExplanatory
214	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
215	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
216	Cost Analysis	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfExpensesByNatureExplanatory
217	1013 - Disclosure - Operating Profit Disclosures	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfItemsIncludedInOperatingProfitExplanatory
218	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
219	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
220	Operating Profit Disclosures	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfItemsIncludedInOperatingProfitExplanatory
221	1014 - Disclosure - Business and Non-Current Asset Disposals	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfBusinessAndNonCurrentAssetDisposalsExplanatory
222	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
223	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
224	Business and Non-Current Asset Disposals	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfBusinessAndNonCurrentAssetDisposalsExplanatory
225	1015 - Disclosure - Employment	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfInformationAboutEmployeesExplanatory
226	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
227	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
228	Employment	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfInformationAboutEmployeesExplanatory
229	1016 - Disclosure - Directors' Emoluments and Interests	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfDirectorsEmolumentsAndInterestExplanatory
230	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
231	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
232	Directors' Emoluments and Interests	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfDirectorsEmolumentsAndInterestExplanatory
233	1017 - Disclosure - Share-based Payment Expense	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsExplanatory
234	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
235	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
236	Share-based Payment Expense	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsExplanatory
237	1018 - Disclosure - Finance Costs and Finance Income	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfFinanceIncomeExpenseExplanatory
238	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
239	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
240	Finance Costs and Finance Income	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinanceIncomeExpenseExplanatory
241	1019 - Disclosure - Share of Equity Accounted Investments' Profit	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfShareOfEquityInvestmentProfitExplanatory
242	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
243	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
244	Share of Equity Accounted Investments' Profit	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfShareOfEquityInvestmentProfitExplanatory
245	1020 - Disclosure - Income Tax Expense	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfIncomeTaxExplanatory
246	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
247	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
248	Income Tax Expense	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfIncomeTaxExplanatory
249	1021 - Disclosure - Dividends	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfDividendsExplanatory
250	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
251	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
252	Dividends	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDividendsExplanatory
253	1022 - Disclosure - Earnings per Ordinary Share	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfEarningsPerShareExplanatory
254	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
255	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
256	Earnings per Ordinary Share	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfEarningsPerShareExplanatory
257	1023 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentExplanatory
258	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
259	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
260	Property, Plant and Equipment	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentExplanatory
261	1024 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfIntangibleAssetsExplanatory
262	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
263	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
264	Intangible Assets	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfIntangibleAssetsExplanatory
265	1025 - Disclosure - Financial Assets	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfFinancialAssetsIncludingJointVenturesAndAssociatesExplanatory
266	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
267	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
268	Financial Assets	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfFinancialAssetsIncludingJointVenturesAndAssociatesExplanatory
269	1026 - Disclosure - Inventories	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfInventoriesExplanatory
270	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
271	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
272	Inventories	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfInventoriesExplanatory
273	1027 - Disclosure - Trade and Other Receivables	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfTradeAndOtherReceivablesExplanatory
274	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
275	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
276	Trade and Other Receivables	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTradeAndOtherReceivablesExplanatory
277	1028 - Disclosure - Trade and Other Payables	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfTradeAndOtherPayablesExplanatory
278	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
279	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
280	Trade and Other Payables	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTradeAndOtherPayablesExplanatory
281	1029 - Disclosure - Movement in Working Capital and Provisions for Liabilities	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfMovementInWorkingCapitalAndProvisionsForLiabilitiesExplanatory
282	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
283	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
284	Movement in Working Capital and Provisions for Liabilities	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfMovementInWorkingCapitalAndProvisionsForLiabilitiesExplanatory
285	1030 - Disclosure - Analysis of Net Debt	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfDebtSecuritiesExplanatory
286	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
287	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
288	Analysis of Net Debt	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDebtSecuritiesExplanatory
289	1031 - Disclosure - Capital and Financial Risk Management	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfFinancialRiskManagementExplanatory
290	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
291	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
292	Capital and Financial Risk Management	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialRiskManagementExplanatory
293	1032 - Disclosure - Cash and Cash Equivalents	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfCashAndCashEquivalentsExplanatory
294	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
295	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
296	Cash and Cash Equivalents	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfCashAndCashEquivalentsExplanatory
297	1033 - Disclosure - Interest-bearing Loans and Borrowings	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfBorrowingsExplanatory
298	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
299	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
300	Interest-bearing Loans and Borrowings	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfBorrowingsExplanatory
301	1034 - Disclosure - Derivative Financial Instruments	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsExplanatory
302	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
303	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
304	Derivative Financial Instruments	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsExplanatory
305	1035 - Disclosure - Provisions for Liabilities	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfProvisionsExplanatory
306	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
307	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
308	Provisions for Liabilities	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfProvisionsExplanatory
309	1036 - Disclosure - Deferred Income Tax	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfDeferredTaxesExplanatory
310	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
311	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
312	Deferred Income Tax	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDeferredTaxesExplanatory
313	1037 - Disclosure - Retirement Benefit Obligations	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfEmployeeBenefitsExplanatory
314	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
315	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
316	Retirement Benefit Obligations	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfEmployeeBenefitsExplanatory
317	1038 - Disclosure - Commitments under Operating and Finance Leases	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfLeasesExplanatory
318	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
319	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
320	Commitments under Operating and Finance Leases	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfLeasesExplanatory
321	1039 - Disclosure - Share Capital and Reserves	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfShareCapitalReservesAndOtherEquityInterestExplanatory
322	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
323	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
324	Share Capital and Reserves	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfShareCapitalReservesAndOtherEquityInterestExplanatory
325	1040 - Disclosure - Business Combinations	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfBusinessCombinationsExplanatory
326	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
327	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
328	Business Combinations	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfBusinessCombinationsExplanatory
329	1041 - Disclosure - Non-controlling Interests	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfNoncontrollingInterestsExplanatory
330	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
331	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
332	Non-controlling Interests	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfNoncontrollingInterestsExplanatory
333	1042 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfRelatedPartyExplanatory
334	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
335	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
336	Related Party Transactions	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfRelatedPartyExplanatory
337	1043 - Disclosure - Board Approval	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfAuthorisationOfFinancialStatementsExplanatory
338	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
339	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
340	Board Approval	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfAuthorisationOfFinancialStatementsExplanatory
341	1044 - Disclosure - Supplemental Guarantor Information	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfSupplementalGuarantorInformationExplanatory
342	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
343	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
344	Supplemental Guarantor Information	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfSupplementalGuarantorInformationExplanatory
345	1045 - Disclosure - Accounting Policies (Policies)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesExplanatoryPolicies
346	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
347	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
348	Basis of Preparation	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForBasisOfPreparationExplanatory
349	Adoption of IFRS and International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) interpretations	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForAdoptionOfIFRSAndInternationalFinancialReportingInterpretationsCommitteeIFRICInterpretationsExplanatory
350	Key Accounting Policies which involve Estimates, Assumptions and Judgements	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForKeyAccountingPoliciesInvolveEstimatesAssumptionsAndJudgementsExplanatory
351	Basis of consolidation	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForBasisOfConsolidationExplanatory
352	Revenue recognition	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForRecognitionOfRevenue
353	Segment reporting	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForSegmentReportingExplanatory
354	Assets and liabilities held for sale	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForAssetsAndLiabilitiesHeldForSaleExplanatory
355	Discontinued operations	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForDiscontinuedOperationsExplanatory
356	Share-based payments	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForSharebasedPaymentTransactionsExplanatory
357	Property, plant and equipment	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForPropertyPlantAndEquipmentExplanatory
358	Business combinations	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForBusinessCombinationsExplanatory
359	Goodwill	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForGoodwillExplanatory
360	Intangible assets (other than goodwill) arising on business combinations	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwillExplanatory
361	Leases	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForLeasesExplanatory
362	Inventories	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForMeasuringInventories
363	Cash and cash equivalents	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyToDetermineComponentsOfCashAndCashEquivalents
364	Interest-bearing loans and borrowings	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForBorrowingsExplanatory
365	Derivative financial instruments and hedging practices	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAndHedgingExplanatory
366	Share capital and dividends	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForShareCapitalAndDividendsExplanatory
367	Foreign currency translation	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForForeignCurrencyTranslationExplanatory
368	1046 - Disclosure - Accounting Policies (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesExplanatoryTables
369	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
370	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
371	Summary of financial asset classifications under IFRS 9	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfSummaryOfFinancialAssetClassificationsUnderIFRS9Explanatory
372	Schedule of foreign exchange rates	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:ScheduleOfForeignExchangeRatesExplanatory
373	1047 - Disclosure - Revenue (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfRevenueExplanatoryTables
374	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
375	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
376	Schedule of Disaggregated Revenue by Primary Geographic	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfPrimaryGeographicMarketsExplanatory
377	Schedule of Disaggregated Revenue by Principal Activities and Products	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfProductsAndServicesExplanatory
378	1048 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfEntitysReportableSegmentsExplanatoryTables
379	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
380	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
381	Summary of Operating Segments Disclosures	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsExplanatory
382	Summary of Information About Geographical Areas	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfGeographicalAreasExplanatory
383	1049 - Disclosure - Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfAssetsHeldForSaleAndDiscontinuedOperationsExplanatoryTables
384	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
385	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
386	Summary of Profit on Disposal of Discontinued Operations	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfProfitOnDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationsExplanatory
387	Summary of Discontinued Operations	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDiscontinuedOperationsExplanatory
388	1050 - Disclosure - Cost Analysis (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfExpensesByNatureExplanatoryTables
389	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
390	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
391	Summary of Cost of Sales and Operating Costs Analysis	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfCostOfSalesExplanatory
392	Summary of Depreciation, Amortisation and Impairment Analysis	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDepreciationAndAmortisationExpenseExplanatory
393	1051 - Disclosure - Operating Profit Disclosures (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfItemsIncludedInOperatingProfitExplanatoryTables
394	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
395	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
396	Summary of Operating Lease Rentals	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfOperatingLeasesExplanatory
397	Summary of Auditor's Remuneration	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfAuditorsRemunerationExplanatory
398	1052 - Disclosure - Business and Non-Current Asset Disposals (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfBusinessAndNonCurrentAssetDisposalsExplanatoryTables
399	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
400	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
401	Summary of Business and Non-Current Asset Disposals	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutBusinessAndNoncurrentAssetDisposalsExplanatory
402	1053 - Disclosure - Employment (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfInformationAboutEmployeesExplanatoryTables
403	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
404	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
405	Summary of Average Number of Employees	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfAverageNumberOfEmployeesExplanatory
406	Summary of Employment Costs	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfEmployeeCostExplanatory
407	1054 - Disclosure - Share-based Payment Expense (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsExplanatoryTables
408	Statement [table]	Table	*	*	crh:StatementTable
409	Types of share-based payment arrangements [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsAxis
410	Share-based payment arrangements [member]	Member			ifrs-full:SharebasedPaymentArrangementsMember
411	2014 Performance Share Plan [member]	Member			crh:PerformanceSharePlansMember
412	2010 Savings Related Share Option Schemes [member]	Member			crh:TwoThousandTenSavingsRelatedShareOptionSchemesMember
413	Statement [LineItems]	LineItems			crh:StatementLineItems
414	Summary of Share-based Payment Expense	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfShareBasedCompensationExpenseExplanatory
415	Summary of Assumptions of Fair Value Options	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfFairValueOfOptionsDeterminedUsingAssumptionsExplanatory
416	Summary of Movement and Options Outstanding Under Share Option Schemes	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfNumberAndWeightedAverageExercisePricesOfShareOptionsExplanatory
417	Summary of Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life for Share Options Outstanding	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfNumberAndWeightedAverageRemainingContractualLifeAndRangeOfExercisePricesOfOutstandingShareOptionsExplanatory
418	Summary of Weighted Fair Values Assigned to Options Issued Under the Savings-Related Share Option Schemes	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutWeightedFairValuesAssignedToOptionsIssuedUnderTheSavingsrelatedShareOptionSchemesExplanatory
419	1055 - Disclosure - Finance Costs and Finance Income (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfFinanceIncomeExpenseExplanatoryTables
420	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
421	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
422	Summary of Finance Costs and Finance Income	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfFinancialIncomeAndExpensesExplanatory
423	1056 - Disclosure - Share of Equity Accounted Investments' Profit (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfShareOfEquityInvestmentProfitExplanatoryTables
424	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
425	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
426	Summary of Analysis of Share of Joint Ventures' and Associates' Profit After Tax	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfShareOfJointVenturesAndAssociatesEquityAccountedProfitAfterTaxAnalysisExplanatory
427	1057 - Disclosure - Income Tax Expense (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfIncomeTaxExplanatoryTables
428	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
429	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
430	Summary of Current and Deferred Tax (Income)/Expense	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfCurrentAndDeferredTaxesExplanatory
431	Schedule of Income Tax Recognised Outside Consolidated Income Statement	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfIncomeTaxRecognisedOutsideConsolidatedIncomeStatementExplanatory
432	Reconciliation of Applicable Tax Rate to Effective Tax Rate	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfReconciliationOfEffectiveTaxRateExplanatory
433	1058 - Disclosure - Dividends (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfDividendsExplanatoryTables
434	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
435	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
436	Summary of Dividends Paid and Proposed	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfDividendsPaidAndProposedExplanatory
437	1059 - Disclosure - Earnings per Ordinary Share (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfEarningsPerShareExplanatoryTables
438	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
439	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
440	Summary of Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:EarningsPerShareExplanatory
441	1060 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentExplanatoryTables
442	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
443	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
444	Schedule of Property Plant and Equipment	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutPropertyPlantAndEquipmentExplanatory
445	Schedule of Future Purchase Commitments for Property, Plant and Equipment	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfFuturePurchaseCommitmentsForPropertyPlantEquipmentExplanatory
446	1061 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfIntangibleAssetsExplanatoryTables
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449	Summary of Intangible Assets	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfReconciliationOfChangesInIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwillExplanatory
450	Summary of Goodwill by Cash Generating Units	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfSummaryOfGoodwillByCashGeneratingUnitExplanatory
451	Summary of Significant Goodwill Amounts	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfInformationForIndividualAssetOrCashgeneratingUnitWithSignificantAmountOfGoodwillOrIntangibleAssetsWithIndefiniteUsefulLivesExplanatory
452	Summary of Key Assumptions and Sensitivity Analysis Relating to Cash Generating Units Explanatory	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:KeyAssumptionsAndSensitivityAnalysisUsedInPresentValueOfFutureCashFlowsOverTheBookValueOfNetAssetsRelatingToCashGeneratingUnitsExplanatory
453	1062 - Disclosure - Financial Assets (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfFinancialAssetsIncludingJointVenturesAndAssociatesExplanatoryTables
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455	Text block [abstract]	Abstract			crh:TextBlockAbstract
456	Summary of Financial Assets	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialAssetsExplanatory
457	Summary of Financial Information for Group's Investment in Joint Ventures and Associates	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfReconciliationOfSummarisedFinancialInformationOfJointVentureAccountedForUsingEquityMethodToCarryingAmountOfInterestInJointVentureExplanatory
458	1063 - Disclosure - Inventories (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfInventoriesExplanatoryTables
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466	Summary of Loss Allowance for Receivables	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfImpairmentLossAndReversalOfImpairmentLossExplanatory
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473	Summary of Movement in Deferred and Contingent Consideration	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfContingentLiabilitiesExplanatory
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491	Summary of Interest Rate Risk	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfInterestRateRiskExplanatory
492	Summary of Foreign Currency Risk	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfEffectOfChangesInForeignExchangeRatesExplanatory
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503	Summary of Maturity Profile for Loans, Borrowings and Undrawn Committed Facilities	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationOfMaturityProfileOfBorrowingsExplanatory
504	1071 - Disclosure - Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsExplanatoryTables
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508	Summary of Loss/Profit Arising on Fair Value, Cash Flow, Net Investment Hedges and Related Hedged Items Reflected in Income Statement	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutHedgesExplanatory
509	Summary of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfFairValueMeasurementOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesExplanatory
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518	Summary of Deferred Income Tax Liabilities (Taxable Temporary Differences)	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutDeferredIncomeTaxLiabilitiesAndTaxableTemporaryDifferencesExplanatory
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525	Summary of Retirement Benefit Expense in Consolidated Income Statement	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfRetirementBenefitExpenseInConsolidatedIncomeStatementExplanatory
526	Analysis of Defined Benefit Expense/(Credit)	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDefinedBenefitPlansExplanatory
527	Summary of Net Charge to Consolidated Income Statement	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfDefinedBenefitPlanAmountChargedToIncomeStatementExplanatory
528	Summary of Reconciliation of Assets and Liabilities	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfReconciliationOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesExplanatory
529	Summary of Scheme Assets	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFairValueOfPlanAssetsExplanatory
530	Summary of Actuarial Value of Liabilities	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfActuarialValueOfBenefitLiabilityExplanatory
531	Summary of Composition of Net Pension Liabilities	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetExplanatory
532	Summary of Impact of Movement in Principal Actuarial Assumptions	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSensitivityAnalysisForActuarialAssumptionsExplanatory
533	Summary of Split of Scheme Assets by Asset Type	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfSplitOfSchemesAssetsByAssetsTypeExplanatory
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545	Summary of Issue of Scrip Shares in Lieu of Cash Dividends	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfNumberOfScripSharesWhichWhereIssuedInLieuOfCashDividendsExplanatory
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556	Summary of Trade and Other Receivables	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfAcquiredReceivablesExplanatory
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558	Summary of Number of Acquisitions Completed and Details of Goodwill and Consideration	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfNumberOfAcquisitionsCompletedAndDetailsOfGoodwillAndConsiderationExplanatory
559	Summary of Post Acquisition Impact	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfPostacquisitionImpactExplanatory
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565	Schedule of Summarized Financial Information of Non Controlling Interest	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfSummarizedFinancialInformationOfNonControllingInterestExplanatory
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570	Summary of Key Management Remuneration	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfInformationAboutKeyManagementPersonnelExplanatory
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576	Schedule of Supplemental Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		crh:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationOfSupplementalCondensedConsolidatedStatementOfComprehensiveIncomeExplanatory
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688	Disclosure of disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDisaggregationOfRevenueFromContractsWithCustomersTable
689	Segments [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SegmentsAxis
690	Segments [member]	Member			ifrs-full:SegmentsMember
691	Europe Heavyside [member]	Member			crh:EuropeHeavysideMember
692	Europe Lightside [member]	Member			crh:EuropeLightsideMember
693	Europe Distribution [member]	Member			crh:EuropeDistributionMember
694	Americas Materials [member]	Member			crh:AmericasMaterialsMember
695	Americas Products [member]	Member			crh:AmericasProductsMember
696	Asia [member]	Member			srt:AsiaMember
697	Continuing and discontinued operations [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
698	Continuing Operations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ContinuingOperationsMember
699	Continuing operations [member]	Member			crh:ContinuingOperationMember
700	Discontinued operations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:DiscontinuedOperationsMember
701	Products and services [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ProductsAndServicesAxis
702	Products and services [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ProductsAndServicesMember
703	Cement, lime and cement products [member]	Member			crh:CementLimeAndCementProductsMember
704	Aggregates, asphalt and readymixed products [member]	Member			crh:AggregatesAsphaltAndReadymixedProductsMember
705	Construction contract activities [member]	Member			crh:ConstructionContractActivitiesMember
706	Construction accessories [member]	Member			crh:ConstructionAccessoriesMember
707	Perimeter protection, shutters and awnings and network access products [member]	Member			crh:PerimeterProtectionShuttersAndAwningsAndNetworkAccessProductsMember
708	Architectural and precast products [member]	Member			crh:ArchitecturalAndPrecastProductsMember
709	Architectural glass and glazing systems and wholesale hardware distribution [member]	Member			crh:ArchitecturalGlassAndGlazingSystemsAndWholesaleHardwareDistributionMember
710	General Builders Merchants, DIY and Sanitary, Heating and Plumbing [member]	Member			crh:GeneralBuildersMerchantsDIYAndSanitaryHeatingAndPlumbingMember
711	Americas Distribution - Exterior and interior products [member]	Member			crh:ExteriorAndInteriorProductsMember
712	Disaggregated revenue by principal activities and products [line items]	LineItems			crh:DisaggregatedRevenueByPrincipalActivitiesAndProductsLineItems
713	Revenue	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:RevenueFromContractsWithCustomers
714	1087 - Disclosure - Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationAdditionalInformation
715	Disclosure of operating segments [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsTable
716	Geographical areas [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasAxis
717	Geographical areas [member]	Member			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasMember
718	Overseas [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ForeignCountriesMember
719	Range [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:RangeAxis
720	Ranges [member]	Member			ifrs-full:RangesMember
721	Minimum [member]	Member			ifrs-full:BottomOfRangeMember
722	Disclosure of operating segments [line items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsLineItems
723	Number of operating segments	Concept (Integer)	For Period		crh:NumberOfOperatingSegments1
724	Percentage of limit of external group revenue	Concept (Percent)	For Period		crh:PercentageOfExternalGroupRevenue
725	1088 - Disclosure - Segment Information - Summary of Operating Segments Disclosures - Consolidated Income Statement Data (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationSummaryOfOperatingSegmentsDisclosuresConsolidatedIncomeStatementData
726	Disclosure of operating segments [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsTable
727	Segments [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SegmentsAxis
728	Segments [member]	Member			ifrs-full:SegmentsMember
729	Europe Heavyside [member]	Member			crh:EuropeHeavysideMember
730	Europe Lightside [member]	Member			crh:EuropeLightsideMember
731	Europe Distribution [member]	Member			crh:EuropeDistributionMember
732	Americas Materials [member]	Member			crh:AmericasMaterialsMember
733	Americas Products [member]	Member			crh:AmericasProductsMember
734	Americas Distribution [member]	Member			crh:AmericasDistributionMember
735	Geographical areas [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasAxis
736	Geographical areas [member]	Member			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasMember
737	Europe [member]	Member			srt:EuropeMember
738	Americas [member]	Member			srt:AmericasMember
739	Asia [member]	Member			srt:AsiaMember
740	Continuing and discontinued operations [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
741	Continuing Operations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ContinuingOperationsMember
742	Continuing operations [member]	Member			crh:ContinuingOperationMember
743	Discontinued operations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:DiscontinuedOperationsMember
744	Continuing and Discontinued Operations [member]	Member			crh:ContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsMember
745	Disclosure of operating segments [line items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsLineItems
746	Revenue	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:Revenue
747	Group EBITDA	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:EarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationAndAmortization
748	Depreciation, amortisation and impairment	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:DepreciationAmortisationAndImpairmentLossReversalOfImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLoss
749	Group operating profit	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossFromOperatingActivities
750	(Loss)/profit on disposals	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:ProfitOnDisposalOfBusinessAndNoncurrentAssets
751	Finance costs less income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:FinanceIncomeCostExcludingOtherFinancialExpense
752	Share of equity accounted investments' profit/(loss)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ShareOfProfitLossOfAssociatesAndJointVenturesAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
753	Other financial expense	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:OtherFinanceCost
754	Share of equity accounted investments' profit	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ShareOfProfitLossOfAssociatesAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
755	Profit before tax from continuing operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossBeforeTax
756	1089 - Disclosure - Segment Information - Summary of Operating Segments Disclosures - Consolidated Balance Sheet Data (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationSummaryOfOperatingSegmentsDisclosuresConsolidatedBalanceSheetData
757	Disclosure of operating segments [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsTable
758	Segment consolidation items [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SegmentConsolidationItemsAxis
759	Entity's total for segment consolidation items [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForSegmentConsolidationItemsMember
760	Operating segments [member]	Member			ifrs-full:OperatingSegmentsMember
761	Material reconciling items [member]	Member			ifrs-full:MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
762	Segments [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SegmentsAxis
763	Segments [member]	Member			ifrs-full:SegmentsMember
764	Europe Heavyside [member]	Member			crh:EuropeHeavysideMember
765	Europe Lightside [member]	Member			crh:EuropeLightsideMember
766	Europe Distribution [member]	Member			crh:EuropeDistributionMember
767	Americas Materials [member]	Member			crh:AmericasMaterialsMember
768	Americas Products [member]	Member			crh:AmericasProductsMember
769	Geographical areas [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasAxis
770	Geographical areas [member]	Member			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasMember
771	Europe [member]	Member			srt:EuropeMember
772	Americas [member]	Member			srt:AmericasMember
773	Asia [member]	Member			srt:AsiaMember
774	Disclosure of operating segments [line items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsLineItems
775	Reconciliation to total assets as reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet:	Abstract			crh:ReconciliationToAssetsAbstract
776	Investments accounted for using the equity method	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:InvestmentAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
777	Other financial assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:OtherFinancialAssets
778	Derivative financial instruments (current and non-current)	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:DerivativeFinancialAssets
779	Income tax assets (current and deferred)	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:IncomeTaxAssetsCurrentAndDeferred
780	Cash and cash equivalents	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalents
781	Assets held for sale	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentAssetsOrDisposalGroupsClassifiedAsHeldForSale
782	Assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:Assets
783	Reconciliation to total liabilities as reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet:	Abstract			crh:ReconciliationToLiabilitiesAbstract
784	Interest-bearing loans and borrowings (current and non-current)	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:Borrowings
785	Derivative financial instruments (current and non-current)	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:DerivativeFinancialLiabilities
786	Income tax liabilities (current and deferred)	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:IncomeTaxLiabilitiesCurrentAndDeferred
787	Liabilities associated with assets classified as held for sale	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:LiabilitiesIncludedInDisposalGroupsClassifiedAsHeldForSale
788	Liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:Liabilities
789	1090 - Disclosure - Segment Information - Summary of Operating Segments Disclosures - Other Items (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationSummaryOfOperatingSegmentsDisclosuresOtherItems
790	Disclosure of operating segments [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsTable
791	Segments [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SegmentsAxis
792	Segments [member]	Member			ifrs-full:SegmentsMember
793	Europe Heavyside [member]	Member			crh:EuropeHeavysideMember
794	Europe Lightside [member]	Member			crh:EuropeLightsideMember
795	Europe Distribution [member]	Member			crh:EuropeDistributionMember
796	Americas Materials [member]	Member			crh:AmericasMaterialsMember
797	Americas Products [member]	Member			crh:AmericasProductsMember
798	Americas Distribution [member]	Member			crh:AmericasDistributionMember
799	Continuing and discontinued operations [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
800	Continuing Operations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ContinuingOperationsMember
801	Continuing operations [member]	Member			crh:ContinuingOperationMember
802	Discontinued operations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:DiscontinuedOperationsMember
803	Geographical areas [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasAxis
804	Geographical areas [member]	Member			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasMember
805	Europe [member]	Member			srt:EuropeMember
806	Americas [member]	Member			srt:AmericasMember
807	Asia [member]	Member			srt:AsiaMember
808	Disclosure of operating segments [line items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsLineItems
809	Property, plant and equipment	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AdditionsOtherThanThroughBusinessCombinationsPropertyPlantAndEquipment
810	Financial assets	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:InvestmentAndAdvances
811	Additions to non-current assets	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:PurchaseOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndInvestmentAdvances
812	1091 - Disclosure - Segment Information - Summary of Information About Geographical Areas (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationSummaryOfInformationAboutGeographicalAreas
813	Disclosure of geographical areas [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfGeographicalAreasTable
814	Geographical areas [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasAxis
815	Geographical areas [member]	Member			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasMember
816	Republic of Ireland [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CountryOfDomicileMember
817	Benelux (Mainly the Netherlands) [member]	Member			crh:BeneluxMember
818	United Kingdom [member]	Member			country:GB
819	United States [member]	Member			country:US
820	Other [member]	Member			crh:OtherCountriesMember
821	Segments [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SegmentsAxis
822	Segments [member]	Member			ifrs-full:SegmentsMember
823	Americas Distribution [member]	Member			crh:AmericasDistributionMember
824	Continuing and discontinued operations [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
825	Continuing Operations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ContinuingOperationsMember
826	Continuing operations [member]	Member			crh:ContinuingOperationMember
827	Discontinued operations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:DiscontinuedOperationsMember
828	Continuing and Discontinued Operations [member]	Member			crh:ContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsMember
829	Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfGeographicalAreasLineItems
830	Non-current assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentAssetsOtherThanFinancialInstrumentsDeferredTaxAssetsPostemploymentBenefitAssetsAndRightsArisingUnderInsuranceContracts
831	1092 - Disclosure - Assets Held For Sale and Discontinued Operations - Additional Information (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAssetsHeldForSaleAndDiscontinuedOperationsAdditionalInformation
832	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
833	Disclosure Of Assets Held For Sale And Discontinued Operations [abstract]	Abstract			crh:DisclosureOfAssetsHeldForSaleAndDiscontinuedOperationsAbstract
834	Disposal percentage	Concept (Percent)	For Period		crh:DiscontinuedOperationsDisposalPercentage
835	1093 - Disclosure - Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations - Summary of Profit on Disposal of Discontinued Operations (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAssetsHeldForSaleAndDiscontinuedOperationsSummaryOfProfitOnDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperations
836	Disclosure of discontinued operations [table]	Table	*	*	crh:DisclosureOfDiscontinuedOperationsTable
837	Continuing and discontinued operations [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
838	Continuing Operations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ContinuingOperationsMember
839	Discontinued operations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:DiscontinuedOperationsMember
840	Disclosure of Discontinued Operations [line items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems
841	Assets/(liabilities) disposed of at net carrying amount:	Abstract			crh:AssetsLiabilitiesDisposedOfNetCarryingAmountAbstract
842	- non-current assets	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:DisposalOfNonCurrentAssets
843	- cash and cash equivalents	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:CashAndCashEquivalentsDisposedInPeriod
844	- working capital and provisions	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:DisposalOfWorkingCapitalAndProvisions
845	- deferred tax	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:DisposalOfDeferredTax
846	Net assets disposed	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:DisposalsAssetsNet
847	Reclassification of currency translation effects on disposal	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:ForeignCurrencyTranslationGainLossOnDisposal
848	Total	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:DisposalOfNetAssetAndCurrencyTranslationOnDisposal
849	Proceeds from disposal (net of disposal costs)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:ProceedsFromDisposalOfAssets
850	Profit on disposal from discontinued operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:ProfitOnDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperations
851	Net cash inflow arising on disposal	Abstract			crh:NetCashInflowArisingOnDisposalAbstract
852	Proceeds from disposal from discontinued operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:ProceedsFromDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperations
853	Less: cash and cash equivalents disposed	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalentsInSubsidiaryOrBusinessesAcquiredOrDisposed2013
854	Total Group net cash inflow arising on disposal	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:NetProceedsFromDisposalsFromBusinessAndOtherNoncurrentAssets
855	1094 - Disclosure - Assets Held For Sale and Discontinued Operations - Summary of Discontinued Operations (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAssetsHeldForSaleAndDiscontinuedOperationsSummaryOfDiscontinuedOperations
856	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
857	Disclosure of discontinued operations [abstract]	Abstract			crh:DisclosureOfDiscontinuedOperationsAbstract
858	Revenue	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:RevenueFromDiscontinuedOperations
859	EBITDA (as defined)*	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:EarningsBeforeInterestTaxesDepreciationAndAmortizationDiscontinuedOperations
860	Depreciation	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:DepreciationExpenseDiscontinuedOperation
861	Amortisation	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:AmortisationExpenseDiscontinuedOperations
862	Operating (loss)/profit	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:OperatingProfitLossDiscontinuedOperations
863	Profit on disposals	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:ProfitOnDisposalOfBusinessAndNoncurrentAssetsDiscontinuedOperations
864	Profit before tax from discontinued operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:ProfitLossBeforeTaxDiscontinuedOperations1
865	Attributable income tax expense	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:TaxExpenseRelatingToProfitLossFromOrdinaryActivitiesOfDiscontinuedOperations
866	Profit after tax	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossFromDiscontinuedOperations
867	Basic earnings per Ordinary Share	Concept (Share)	For Period		ifrs-full:BasicEarningsLossPerShareFromDiscontinuedOperations
868	Diluted earnings per Ordinary Share	Concept (Share)	For Period		ifrs-full:DilutedEarningsLossPerShareFromDiscontinuedOperations
869	Cash flows from discontinued operations	Abstract			crh:CashFlowsFromDiscontinuedOperationsAbstract
870	Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInOperatingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations
871	Net cash inflow/(outflow) from investing activities	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInInvestingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations
872	Net cash flow from financing activities	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInFinancingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations
873	Net cash inflow	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:NetCashInflowsOutflowsDiscontinuedOperations
874	1095 - Disclosure - Cost Analysis - Summary of Cost of Sales and Operating Costs Analysis (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCostAnalysisSummaryOfCostOfSalesAndOperatingCostsAnalysis
875	Cost of sales and operating cost analysis [table]	Table	*	*	crh:CostOfSalesAndOperatingCostAnalysisTable
876	Continuing and discontinued operations [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
877	Continuing Operations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ContinuingOperationsMember
878	Continuing operations [member]	Member			crh:ContinuingOperationMember
879	External credit grades [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ExternalCreditGradesAxis
880	Entity's total for external credit grades [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForExternalCreditGradesMember
881	Cost of sales [member]	Member			crh:CostOfSalesMember
882	Operating costs [member]	Member			crh:OperatingCostsMember
883	Cost of sales and operating cost analysis [line items]	LineItems			crh:CostOfSalesAndOperatingCostAnalysisLineItems
884	Raw materials and goods for resale	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:RawMaterialsAndConsumablesUsed
885	Employment costs (note 7)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:EmploymentCosts
886	Energy conversion costs	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:EnergyExpense
887	Repairs and maintenance	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:RepairsAndMaintenanceExpense
888	Depreciation, amortisation and impairment (i)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:DepreciationAmortisationAndImpairmentLossReversalOfImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLoss
889	Change in inventory	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ChangesInInventoriesOfFinishedGoodsAndWorkInProgress
890	Other production expenses (primarily sub-contractor costs and equipment rental)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:OtherExpenseByNature
891	Total	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:CostOfSales
892	Selling and distribution costs	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:SellingAndDistributionExpenses
893	Administrative expenses	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AdministrativeExpense
894	Total	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:OperatingExpense
895	1096 - Disclosure - Cost Analysis - Summary of Depreciation, Amortisation and Impairment Analysis (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCostAnalysisSummaryOfDepreciationAmortisationAndImpairmentAnalysis
896	Cost of sales and operating cost analysis [table]	Table	*	*	crh:CostOfSalesAndOperatingCostAnalysisTable
897	External credit grades [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ExternalCreditGradesAxis
898	Entity's total for external credit grades [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForExternalCreditGradesMember
899	Cost of sales [member]	Member			crh:CostOfSalesMember
900	Operating costs [member]	Member			crh:OperatingCostsMember
901	Continuing and discontinued operations [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
902	Continuing Operations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ContinuingOperationsMember
903	Continuing operations [member]	Member			crh:ContinuingOperationMember
904	Cost of sales and operating cost analysis [line items]	LineItems			crh:CostOfSalesAndOperatingCostAnalysisLineItems
905	Depreciation and depletion	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:DepreciationExpense
906	Amortisation of intangible assets	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:AmortisationIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
907	Impairment of property, plant and equipment (note 15)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:ImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLossPropertyPlantAndEquipment
908	Impairment of intangible assets (note 16)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:ImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLossIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwill
909	Total	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:DepreciationAmortisationAndImpairmentLossReversalOfImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLoss
910	1097 - Disclosure - Operating Profit Disclosures - Summary of Operating Lease Rentals (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOperatingProfitDisclosuresSummaryOfOperatingLeaseRentals
911	Disclosure of operating lease [table]	Table	*	*	crh:DisclosureOfOperatingLeaseTable
912	Classes of assets [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsAxis
913	Assets [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsMember
914	Hire Plant And Machinery [member]	Member			crh:HirePlantAndMachineryMember
915	Land and buildings [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LandAndBuildingsMember
916	Other operating lease [member]	Member			crh:OtherOperatingLeaseMember
917	Disclosure of operating lease [line items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfOperatingLeaseLineItems
918	Operating lease rentals	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:LeaseAndSubleasePaymentsRecognisedAsExpense
919	1098 - Disclosure - Operating Profit Disclosures - Summary of Auditor's Remuneration (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOperatingProfitDisclosuresSummaryOfAuditorsRemuneration
920	Auditors Remuneration [table]	Table	*	*	crh:AuditorsRemunerationTable
921	Geographical areas [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasAxis
922	Geographical areas [member]	Member			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasMember
923	Republic of Ireland [member]	Member			country:IE
924	Counterparties [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CounterpartiesAxis
925	Counterparties [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CounterpartiesMember
926	EY Ireland (statutory auditor) [member]	Member			crh:ErnstAndYoungIrelandStatutoryMember
927	EY (network firms) [member]	Member			crh:ErnstAndYoungNetworkFirmsMember
928	Auditors Remuneration [line items]	LineItems			crh:AuditorsRemunerationLineItems
929	Auditor's remuneration [abstract]	Abstract			ifrs-full:AuditorsRemunerationAbstract
930	Audit fees	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AuditorsRemunerationForAuditServices
931	Other audit-related assurance fees	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AuditorsRemunerationForOtherServices
932	Tax advisory services	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AuditorsRemunerationForTaxServices
933	Total	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AuditorsRemuneration
934	1099 - Disclosure - Operating Profit Disclosures - Summary of Auditor's Remuneration (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOperatingProfitDisclosuresSummaryOfAuditorsRemunerationParenthetical
935	Auditors Remuneration [table]	Table	*	*	crh:AuditorsRemunerationTable
936	Counterparties [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CounterpartiesAxis
937	Counterparties [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CounterpartiesMember
938	Other than EY [Member]	Member			crh:OtherThanErnstAndYoungMember
939	Auditors Remuneration [line items]	LineItems			crh:AuditorsRemunerationLineItems
940	Auditor's remuneration [abstract]	Abstract			ifrs-full:AuditorsRemunerationAbstract
941	Auditors Remuneration	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AuditorsRemunerationForAuditServices
942	1100 - Disclosure - Operating Profit Disclosures - Additional Information (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOperatingProfitDisclosuresAdditionalInformation
943	Auditors Remuneration [table]	Table	*	*	crh:AuditorsRemunerationTable
944	Counterparties [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CounterpartiesAxis
945	Counterparties [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CounterpartiesMember
946	Ernst & Young [member]	Member			crh:ErnstAndYoungMember
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961	- current tax	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:DisposalOfCurrentTaxLiabilities
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963	- retirement benefit obligations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:DisposalOfRetirementBenefitObligation
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967	Proceeds from disposals (net of disposal costs)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:ProceedsFromDisposalOfAssetsNetOfCosts
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969	Profit on step acquisition (note 32)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:StepAcquisitionProfit
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976	Less: investment and loan to associate in lieu of cash proceeds (i) (note 17)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:InvestmentAndLoanToAssociateInLieuOfCashProceeds
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978	Net cash inflow arising on disposal from discontinued operations (note 3)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:ProceedsFromDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperations
979	Total Group net cash inflow arising on disposal	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:NetProceedsFromDisposalsFromBusinessAndOtherNoncurrentAssets
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1003	Americas Products [member]	Member			crh:AmericasProductsMember
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1014	Social welfare costs	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:SocialWelfareCosts
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1019	Cost of sales	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:EmploymentCostsCostOfSales
1020	Operating costs	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:EmploymentCostsOperatingCosts
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1024	Disclosure Of Share Based Compensation Expense [table]	Table	*	*	crh:DisclosureOfShareBasedCompensationExpenseTable
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1028	Share option expense [member]	Member			crh:ShareOptionPlanMember
1029	Disclosure Of Share Based Compensation Expense [line items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfShareBasedCompensationExpenseLineItems
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1035	2014 Performance Share Plan [member]	Member			crh:TwoThousandFourteenPerformanceSharePlanMember
1036	2010 Savings-Related Share Option Exercisable Within Six Months After Third Anniversary of Contract [member]	Member			crh:TwoThousandTenSavingsRelatedShareOptionExercisableWithinSixMonthsAfterThirdAnniversaryOfContractMember
1037	2010 Savings Related Share Option Exercisable Within Six Months After Fifth Anniversary of Contract [member]	Member			crh:TwoThousandTenSavingsRelatedShareOptionExercisableWithinSixMonthsAfterFifthAnniversaryOfContractMember
1038	2010 Savings Related Share Option Schemes [member]	Member			crh:TwoThousandTenSavingsRelatedShareOptionSchemesMember
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1043	Disclosure Of Share Based Compensation Expense [line items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfShareBasedCompensationExpenseLineItems
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1045	Percentage of awards subject to TSR measure	Concept (Percent)	For Period		crh:PercentageOfAwardsSubjectToTotalShareholderReturn
1046	Percentage of awards measured against a tailored sector peer group	Concept (Percent)	For Period		crh:PercentageOfAwardsMeasuredAgainstTailoredSectorPeerGroup
1047	Percentage of awards measured against the FTSE All-World Construction & Materials index	Concept (Percent)	For Period		crh:PercentageOfAwardsMeasuredAgainstFtseAllWorldConstructionAndMaterialsIndex
1048	Percentage of awards subject to cashflow measure	Concept (Percent)	For Period		crh:PercentageOfAwardsSubjectToCumulativeCashFlowMetric
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1050	Fair value portion of awards subject to total share holder return against index	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:FairValuePortionOfAwardsSubjectToTotalShareHolderReturnAgainstIndex
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1058	Disclosure Of Share Based Compensation Expense [table]	Table	*	*	crh:DisclosureOfShareBasedCompensationExpenseTable
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1062	2010 Savings-Related Share Option Exercisable Within Six Months After Third Anniversary of Contract [member]	Member			crh:TwoThousandTenSavingsRelatedShareOptionExercisableWithinSixMonthsAfterThirdAnniversaryOfContractMember
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1064	Valuation techniques used in fair value measurement [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ValuationTechniquesUsedInFairValueMeasurementAxis
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1074	1108 - Disclosure - Share-based Payment Expense - Summary of Fair Value Assumptions (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSharebasedPaymentExpenseSummaryOfFairValueAssumptions
1075	Disclosure Of Share Based Compensation Expense [table]	Table	*	*	crh:DisclosureOfShareBasedCompensationExpenseTable
1076	Types of share-based payment arrangements [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsAxis
1077	Share-based payment arrangements [member]	Member			ifrs-full:SharebasedPaymentArrangementsMember
1078	2014 Performance Share Plan [member]	Member			crh:PerformanceSharePlansMember
1079	Disclosure Of Share Based Compensation Expense [line items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfShareBasedCompensationExpenseLineItems
1080	Risk-free interest rate	Concept (Percent)	For Period		crh:RiskFreeInterestRateOtherEquityInstrumentsGranted
1081	Expected volatility	Concept (Percent)	For Period		crh:ExpectedVolatilityOtherEquityInstrumentsGranted
1082	1109 - Disclosure - Share-based Payment Expense - Summary of Movement and Options Outstanding Under Share Option Schemes (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSharebasedPaymentExpenseSummaryOfMovementAndOptionsOutstandingUnderShareOptionSchemes
1083	Disclosure Of Share Based Compensation Expense [table]	Table	*	*	crh:DisclosureOfShareBasedCompensationExpenseTable
1084	Types of share-based payment arrangements [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsAxis
1085	Share-based payment arrangements [member]	Member			ifrs-full:SharebasedPaymentArrangementsMember
1086	Share Option Schemes Excluding Savings Related Share Option Schemes [member]	Member			crh:ShareOptionSchemesExcludingSavingsRelatedShareOptionSchemesMember
1087	Disclosure Of Share Based Compensation Expense [line items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfShareBasedCompensationExpenseLineItems
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1094	Weighted average exercise price, Exercised	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfShareOptionsExercisedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
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1100	Types of share-based payment arrangements [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsAxis
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1102	Share Option Schemes Excluding Savings Related Share Option Schemes [member]	Member			crh:ShareOptionSchemesExcludingSavingsRelatedShareOptionSchemesMember
1103	Disclosure Of Share Based Compensation Expense [line items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfShareBasedCompensationExpenseLineItems
1104	Weighted average share price	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:WeightedAverageSharePrice
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1107	Disclosure Of Share Based Compensation Expense [table]	Table	*	*	crh:DisclosureOfShareBasedCompensationExpenseTable
1108	Types of share-based payment arrangements [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsAxis
1109	Share-based payment arrangements [member]	Member			ifrs-full:SharebasedPaymentArrangementsMember
1110	Share option schemes [member]	Member			crh:ShareOptionSchemesMember
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1113	Minimum [member]	Member			ifrs-full:BottomOfRangeMember
1114	Maximum [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TopOfRangeMember
1115	Currency [Axis]	Axis			srt:CurrencyAxis
1116	All Currencies [Domain]	Member			currency:AllCurrenciesDomain
1117	Euro [member]	Member			currency:EUR
1118	Pound Sterling [member]	Member			currency:GBP
1119	Disclosure Of Share Based Compensation Expense [line items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfShareBasedCompensationExpenseLineItems
1120	Currency denominated options outstanding at end of year (number)	Concept (Decimal)	As Of		ifrs-full:NumberOfOutstandingShareOptions
1121	Range of exercise prices	Concept (Monetary)	As Of		ifrs-full:ExercisePriceOfOutstandingShareOptions
1122	Weighted average remaining contractual life for the share options outstanding at 31 December (years)	Concept (Decimal)	As Of		ifrs-full:WeightedAverageRemainingContractualLifeOfOutstandingShareOptions
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1124	Disclosure Of Share Based Compensation Expense [table]	Table	*	*	crh:DisclosureOfShareBasedCompensationExpenseTable
1125	Types of share-based payment arrangements [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsAxis
1126	Share-based payment arrangements [member]	Member			ifrs-full:SharebasedPaymentArrangementsMember
1127	2010 Savings Related Share Option Schemes [member]	Member			crh:TwoThousandTenSavingsRelatedShareOptionSchemesMember
1128	Disclosure Of Share Based Compensation Expense [line items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfShareBasedCompensationExpenseLineItems
1129	Weighted average exercise price, Outstanding at beginning of year	Concept (Monetary)	As Of		ifrs-full:WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfShareOptionsOutstandingInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
1130	Weighted average exercise price, Exercised	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfShareOptionsExercisedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
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1133	Weighted average exercise price, Outstanding at end of year	Concept (Monetary)	As Of		ifrs-full:WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfShareOptionsOutstandingInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
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1135	Number of options, Outstanding at beginning of year	Concept (Decimal)	As Of		ifrs-full:NumberOfOutstandingShareOptions
1136	Number of options, Exercised	Concept (Decimal)	For Period		ifrs-full:NumberOfShareOptionsExercisedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
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1138	Number of options, Granted	Concept (Decimal)	For Period		ifrs-full:NumberOfShareOptionsGrantedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
1139	Number of options, Outstanding at end of year	Concept (Decimal)	As Of		ifrs-full:NumberOfOutstandingShareOptions
1140	Number of options, Exercisable at end of year	Concept (Decimal)	As Of		ifrs-full:NumberOfShareOptionsExercisableInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
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1143	Types of share-based payment arrangements [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsAxis
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1145	2010 Savings Related Share Option Schemes [member]	Member			crh:TwoThousandTenSavingsRelatedShareOptionSchemesMember
1146	2010 Savings-Related Share Option Exercisable Within Six Months After Third Anniversary of Contract [member]	Member			crh:TwoThousandTenSavingsRelatedShareOptionExercisableWithinSixMonthsAfterThirdAnniversaryOfContractMember
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1148	Disclosure Of Share Based Compensation Expense [line items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfShareBasedCompensationExpenseLineItems
1149	Weighted average share price	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:WeightedAverageSharePrice
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1163	Types of share-based payment arrangements [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsAxis
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1165	2010 Savings Related Share Option Schemes [member]	Member			crh:TwoThousandTenSavingsRelatedShareOptionSchemesMember
1166	Disclosure Of Share Based Compensation Expense [line items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfShareBasedCompensationExpenseLineItems
1167	Weighted average remaining contractual life for the share options outstanding at 31 December (years)	Concept (Decimal)	As Of		ifrs-full:WeightedAverageRemainingContractualLifeOfOutstandingShareOptions
1168	Currency denominated options outstanding at end of year (number)	Concept (Decimal)	As Of		ifrs-full:NumberOfOutstandingShareOptions
1169	Range of exercise prices	Concept (Monetary)	As Of		ifrs-full:ExercisePriceOfOutstandingShareOptions
1170	1115 - Disclosure - Share-based Payment Expense - Summary of Assumptions of Fair Value Options (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSharebasedPaymentExpenseSummaryOfAssumptionsOfFairValueOptions
1171	Disclosure Of Share Based Compensation Expense [table]	Table	*	*	crh:DisclosureOfShareBasedCompensationExpenseTable
1172	Types of share-based payment arrangements [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsAxis
1173	Share-based payment arrangements [member]	Member			ifrs-full:SharebasedPaymentArrangementsMember
1174	2010 Savings-Related Share Option Exercisable Within Six Months After Third Anniversary of Contract [member]	Member			crh:TwoThousandTenSavingsRelatedShareOptionExercisableWithinSixMonthsAfterThirdAnniversaryOfContractMember
1175	2010 Savings Related Share Option Exercisable Within Six Months After Fifth Anniversary of Contract [member]	Member			crh:TwoThousandTenSavingsRelatedShareOptionExercisableWithinSixMonthsAfterFifthAnniversaryOfContractMember
1176	Disclosure Of Share Based Compensation Expense [line items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfShareBasedCompensationExpenseLineItems
1177	Weighted average exercise price (�)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfShareOptionsGrantedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
1178	Risk free interest rate (%)	Concept (Percent)	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfRiskFreeInterestRateShareOptionsGranted
1179	Expected dividend payments over the expected life (�)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:ExpectedDividendShareOptionsGranted
1180	Expected volatility (%)	Concept (Percent)	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfExpectedVolatilityShareOptionsGranted
1181	Expected life in years	Concept (Decimal)	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfOptionLifeShareOptionsGranted
1182	1116 - Disclosure - Finance Costs and Finance Income - Summary of Finance Costs and Finance Income (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFinanceCostsAndFinanceIncomeSummaryOfFinanceCostsAndFinanceIncome
1183	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1184	Financial Income Expenses [abstract]	Abstract			crh:FinancialIncomeExpensesAbstract
1185	Finance costs	Abstract			crh:FinanceCostsAbstract
1186	Interest payable on borrowings	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:InterestExpenseOnBorrowings
1187	Net loss/(income) on interest rate and currency swaps	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:NetIncomeLossOnInterestRateAndCurrencySwaps
1188	Mark-to-market of derivatives and related fixed rate debt:	Abstract			crh:MarkToMarketOfDerivativesAndRelatedFixedRateDebtAbstract
1189	- interest rate swaps (i)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:InterestRateSwaps
1190	- currency swaps and forward contracts	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:GainLossOnCurrencySwapsAndForwardContracts
1191	- fixed rate debt (i)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:GainLossFromFixedRateDebt
1192	Net loss on interest rate swaps not designated as hedges	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:NetLossGainOnInterestRateSwapsNotDesignatedAsHedges
1193	Net finance cost on gross debt including related derivatives	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:FinanceCosts
1194	Finance income	Abstract			crh:FinanceIncomeAbstract
1195	Interest receivable on loans to joint ventures and associates	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:InterestReceivableOnLoansToJointVenturesAndAssociates
1196	Interest receivable on cash and cash equivalents and other	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:InterestReceivableOnCashAndCashEquivalentsAndOther
1197	Finance income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:FinanceIncome
1198	Finance costs less income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:FinanceCostsLessIncome
1199	Other financial expense	Abstract			crh:OtherFinancialExpenseAbstract
1200	Premium paid on early debt redemption	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:PaymentOfEarlyDebtRedemptionPremium
1201	Unwinding of discount element of provisions for liabilities (note 27)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ExpenseDueToUnwindingOfDiscountOnProvisions
1202	Unwinding of discount applicable to deferred and contingent acquisition consideration (note 20)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:ExpensesDueToUnwindingOfDiscountsRelatedToDeferredAndContingentAcquisitionConsideration
1203	Pension-related finance cost (net) (note 29)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:PensionRelatedFinanceCostNet
1204	Total	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:OtherFinanceCost
1205	Total net finance costs	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:NetFinanceCost
1206	1117 - Disclosure - Share of Equity Accounted Investments' Profit - Summary of Analysis of Share of Joint Ventures' and Associates' Profit After Tax (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareOfEquityAccountedInvestmentsProfitSummaryOfAnalysisOfShareOfJointVenturesAndAssociatesProfitAfterTax
1207	Disclosure Of Share Of Equity Investment [table]	Table	*	*	crh:DisclosureOfShareOfEquityInvestmentTable
1208	Categories of related parties [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CategoriesOfRelatedPartiesAxis
1209	Entity's total for related parties [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForRelatedPartiesMember
1210	Joint ventures and associates [member]	Member			crh:JointVenturesAndAssociatesMember
1211	Joint ventures [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:JointVenturesAxis
1212	Entity's total for joint ventures [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForJointVenturesMember
1213	Joint ventures [member]	Member			ifrs-full:JointVenturesMember
1214	Associates [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesAxis
1215	Entity's total for associates [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForAssociatesMember
1216	Associates [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AssociatesMember
1217	Disclosure of share of equity investment [Line Items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfShareOfEquityInvestmentLineItems
1218	Group share of:	Abstract			crh:DisclosureOfGroupShareOfJointVenturesAndAssociatesAbstract
1219	Revenue	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:Revenue
1220	EBITDA (as defined)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:EarningsBeforeInterestTaxesDepreciationAmortisationAssetImpairmentChargesAndProfitOnDisposals
1221	Depreciation and amortisation	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:DepreciationAndAmortisationExpense
1222	Group operating profit	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossFromOperatingActivities
1223	Profit on disposals	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:ProfitOnDisposalOfBusinessAndNoncurrentAssets
1224	Profit before finance costs	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:ProfitLossBeforeFinanceCosts
1225	Finance costs (net)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:FinanceCostsNet
1226	Profit before tax from continuing operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossBeforeTax
1227	Income tax expense	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:IncomeTaxExpenseContinuingOperations
1228	Group profit for the financial year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLoss
1229	1118 - Disclosure - Income Tax Expense - Summary of Deferred Tax (Income)/Expense (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxExpenseSummaryOfDeferredTaxIncomeExpense
1230	Income Tax Expense Benefits [table]	Table	*	*	crh:IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitsTable
1231	Geographical areas [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasAxis
1232	Geographical areas [member]	Member			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasMember
1233	Republic of Ireland [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CountryOfDomicileMember
1234	Overseas [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ForeignCountriesMember
1235	Temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TemporaryDifferenceUnusedTaxLossesAndUnusedTaxCreditsAxis
1236	Temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TemporaryDifferenceUnusedTaxLossesAndUnusedTaxCreditsMember
1237	Retirement Benefit Obligations [member]	Member			crh:RetirementBenefitObligationsMember
1238	Share-based payment expense [member]	Member			crh:SharebasedPaymentExpenseMember
1239	Other items [member]	Member			crh:OtherItemsMember
1240	Classes of financial assets [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
1241	Financial assets, class [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsMember
1242	Derivative financial instruments [member]	Member			ifrs-full:DerivativesMember
1243	Income Tax Expense Benefits [line items]	LineItems			crh:IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitsLineItems
1244	Current tax	Abstract			ifrs-full:CurrentTaxExpenseIncomeAndAdjustmentsForCurrentTaxOfPriorPeriodsAbstract
1245	Total current tax expense	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:CurrentTaxExpenseIncomeAndAdjustmentsForCurrentTaxOfPriorPeriods
1246	Deferred tax	Abstract			ifrs-full:MajorComponentsOfTaxExpenseIncomeAbstract
1247	Total deferred tax (income)/expense	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:DeferredTaxExpenseIncomeRelatingToOriginationAndReversalOfTemporaryDifferences
1248	Income tax reported in the Consolidated Income Statement	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:IncomeTaxExpenseContinuingOperations
1249	1119 - Disclosure - Income Tax Expense - Schedule of Changes in Consolidated Deferred Income Taxes (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxExpenseScheduleOfChangesInConsolidatedDeferredIncomeTaxes
1250	Income Tax Expense Benefits [table]	Table	*	*	crh:IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitsTable
1251	Temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TemporaryDifferenceUnusedTaxLossesAndUnusedTaxCreditsAxis
1252	Temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TemporaryDifferenceUnusedTaxLossesAndUnusedTaxCreditsMember
1253	Retirement Benefit Obligations [member]	Member			crh:RetirementBenefitObligationsMember
1254	Cash Flow Hedges [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CashFlowHedgesMember
1255	Share option exercise [member]	Member			crh:ShareOptionExerciseMember
1256	Share-based payment expense [member]	Member			crh:SharebasedPaymentExpenseMember
1257	Income Tax Expense Benefits [line items]	LineItems			crh:IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitsLineItems
1258	(a) Within the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income:	Abstract			ifrs-full:IncomeTaxRelatingToComponentsOfOtherComprehensiveIncomeThatWillNotBeReclassifiedToProfitOrLossAbstract
1259	Deferred tax - retirement benefit obligations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:IncomeTaxRelatingToRemeasurementsOfDefinedBenefitPlansOfOtherComprehensiveIncome
1260	Deferred tax - cash flow hedges	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:DeferredTaxAssetsDerivativeFinancialInstruments
1261	Tax on items recognised directly within other comprehensive income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:IncomeTaxRelatingToComponentsOfOtherComprehensiveIncome
1262	(b) Within the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity:	Abstract			ifrs-full:CurrentAndDeferredTaxRelatingToItemsChargedOrCreditedDirectlyToEquityAbstract
1263	Current tax - share option exercises	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:CurrentTaxRelatingToItemsChargedOrCreditedDirectlyToEquity
1264	Deferred tax - share-based payment expense	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:DeferredTaxRelatingToItemsChargedOrCreditedDirectlyToEquity
1265	Curent And Deferred Tax Relating To Items Charged Or Credited Directly To Equity, Total	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		crh:CurentAndDeferredTaxRelatingToItemsChargedOrCreditedDirectlyToEquity
1266	Income tax recognised outside the Consolidated Income Statement	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitRecognisedOutsideTheConsolidatedIncomeStatement
1267	1120 - Disclosure - Income Tax Expense - Reconciliation of Applicable Tax Rate to Effective Tax Rate (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxExpenseReconciliationOfApplicableTaxRateToEffectiveTaxRate
1268	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1269	Reconciliation of average effective tax rate and applicable tax rate [abstract]	Abstract			ifrs-full:ReconciliationOfAverageEffectiveTaxRateAndApplicableTaxRateAbstract
1270	Profit before tax from continuing operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossBeforeTax
1271	Tax charge expressed as a percentage of profit before tax (effective tax rate):	Abstract			crh:TaxChargeExpressedAsPercentageOfProfitBeforeTaxEffectiveTaxRateAbstract
1272	- current tax expense only	Concept (Percent)	For Period		crh:AverageEffectiveTaxRateCurrent
1273	- total income tax expense (current and deferred)	Concept (Percent)	For Period		ifrs-full:AverageEffectiveTaxRate
1274	Irish corporation tax rate	Concept (Percent)	For Period		ifrs-full:ApplicableTaxRate
1275	Higher tax rates on overseas earnings	Concept (Percent)	For Period		ifrs-full:TaxRateEffectOfForeignTaxRates
1276	Deferred tax credit relating to the enactment of the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act"	Concept (Percent)	For Period		crh:DeferredTaxCreditRelatingToEnactmentOfTaxCutsAndJobsAct
1277	Other items (primarily comprising items not chargeable to tax/expenses not deductible for tax)	Concept (Percent)	For Period		ifrs-full:OtherTaxRateEffectsForReconciliationBetweenAccountingProfitAndTaxExpenseIncome
1278	Total effective tax rate	Concept (Percent)	For Period		ifrs-full:AverageEffectiveTaxRate
1279	1121 - Disclosure - Income Tax Expense Continuing Operations - Additional Information (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxExpenseContinuingOperationsAdditionalInformation
1280	Income Tax Expense Benefits [table]	Table	*	*	crh:IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitsTable
1281	Business combinations [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:BusinessCombinationsAxis
1282	Entity's total for business combinations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForBusinessCombinationsMember
1283	Tax Cuts and Jobs Act [member]	Member			crh:TaxCutsAndJobsActMember
1284	Disclosure Of Income Taxes [line items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfIncomeTaxesLineItems
1285	Effective tax rate	Concept (Percent)	For Period		ifrs-full:AverageEffectiveTaxRate
1286	Non-cash deferred tax credit related to the enactment of the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Included in reported tax charge	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:TaxCutsAndJobsAct
1287	Effective tax rate excluding impact of exceptional deferred tax credit	Concept (Percent)	For Period		crh:EffectiveTaxRateExcludingTheImpactOfThisExceptionalTaxCredit
1288	1122 - Disclosure - Dividends - Summary of Dividends Paid and Proposed (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDividendsSummaryOfDividendsPaidAndProposed
1289	Disclosure of Dividends [table]	Table	*	*	crh:DisclosureOfDividendsTable
1290	Components of equity [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ComponentsOfEquityAxis
1291	Equity [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EquityMember
1292	Retained earnings [member]	Member			ifrs-full:RetainedEarningsMember
1293	Classes of share capital [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalAxis
1294	Share capital [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalMember
1295	5% Cumulative preference shares [member]	Member			crh:FivePercentageCumulativePreferenceSharesMember
1296	7% 'A' cumulative preference shares [member]	Member			crh:SevenPercentageACumulativePreferenceSharesMember
1297	Final Dividends [member]	Member			crh:FinalDividendsMember
1298	Interim Dividends [member]	Member			crh:InterimDividendsMember
1299	Disclosure of Dividends [line items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfDividendsLineItems
1300	Dividends paid	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:DividendsPaid
1301	Less: issue of scrip shares in lieu of cash dividends (note 31)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:IssueOfScripSharesInLieuOfCashDividends
1302	Dividends paid to equity holders of the Company	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:DividendsPaidToEquityHoldersOfParentClassifiedAsFinancingActivities
1303	Dividends paid by subsidiaries to non-controllinginterests	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:DividendsPaidToNoncontrollingInterests
1304	Total dividends paid	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:DividendsPaidClassifiedAsFinancingActivities
1305	Final 2018 - proposed 52.40c per Ordinary Share (2017: 48.80c; 2016: 46.20c)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:DividendsProposedOrDeclaredBeforeFinancialStatementsAuthorisedForIssueButNotRecognisedAsDistributionToOwners
1306	1123 - Disclosure - Dividends - Summary of Dividends Paid and Proposed (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDividendsSummaryOfDividendsPaidAndProposedParenthetical
1307	Disclosure of Dividends [table]	Table	*	*	crh:DisclosureOfDividendsTable
1308	Classes of share capital [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalAxis
1309	Share capital [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalMember
1310	5% Cumulative preference shares [member]	Member			crh:FivePercentageCumulativePreferenceSharesMember
1311	7% 'A' cumulative preference shares [member]	Member			crh:SevenPercentageACumulativePreferenceSharesMember
1312	Final Dividends [member]	Member			crh:FinalDividendsMember
1313	Interim Dividends [member]	Member			crh:InterimDividendsMember
1314	Disclosure of Dividends [line items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfDividendsLineItems
1315	Preference dividends	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:PreferenceDividends
1316	Cumulative preference shares percentage	Concept (Percent)	For Period		crh:CumulativePreferenceSharesDividendPercentage
1317	Equity dividends paid per ordinary share	Concept (Share)	For Period		ifrs-full:DividendsPaidOrdinarySharesPerShare
1318	Dividends proposed per ordinary share	Concept (Share)	For Period		ifrs-full:DividendsProposedOrDeclaredBeforeFinancialStatementsAuthorisedForIssueButNotRecognisedAsDistributionToOwnersPerShare
1319	1124 - Disclosure - Earning Per Ordinary Share - Summary of Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEarningPerOrdinaryShareSummaryOfComputationOfBasicAndDilutedEarningsPerShare
1320	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1321	Earnings per share [abstract]	Abstract			ifrs-full:EarningsPerShareAbstract
1322	Numerator computations	Abstract			crh:NumeratorComputationOfBasicAndDilutedEarningsPerShareAbstract
1323	Group profit for the financial year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLoss
1324	Profit attributable to non-controlling interests	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterests
1325	Profit attributable to equity holders of the Company	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossAttributableToOwnersOfParent
1326	Preference dividends	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:DividendsPaidOtherShares
1327	Profit attributable to ordinary equity holders of the Company - numerator for basic/diluted earnings per Ordinary Share	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossAttributableToOrdinaryEquityHoldersOfParentEntity
1328	Profit after tax for the financial year from discontinued operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossFromDiscontinuedOperations
1329	Profit attributable to ordinary equity holders of the Company - numerator for basic/diluted earnings per Ordinary Share from continuing operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossFromContinuingOperationsAttributableToOrdinaryEquityHoldersOfParentEntity
1330	Denominator computations	Abstract			crh:DenominatorComputationOfBasicAndDilutedEarningsPerShareAbstract
1331	Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares outstanding for the year	Concept (Shares)	For Period		ifrs-full:WeightedAverageShares
1332	Effect of dilutive potential Ordinary Shares (employee share options)	Concept (Shares)	For Period		ifrs-full:DilutiveEffectOfShareOptionsOnNumberOfOrdinaryShares
1333	Denominator for diluted earnings per Ordinary Share	Concept (Shares)	For Period		ifrs-full:AdjustedWeightedAverageShares
1334	Basic earnings per Ordinary Share	Concept (Share)	For Period		ifrs-full:BasicEarningsLossPerShare
1335	Diluted earnings per Ordinary Share	Concept (Share)	For Period		ifrs-full:DilutedEarningsLossPerShare
1336	Basic earnings per Ordinary Share from continuing operations	Concept (Share)	For Period		ifrs-full:BasicEarningsLossPerShareFromContinuingOperations
1337	Diluted earnings per Ordinary Share from continuing operations	Concept (Share)	For Period		ifrs-full:DilutedEarningsLossPerShareFromContinuingOperations
1338	1125 - Disclosure - Earning Per Ordinary Share - Summary of Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEarningPerOrdinaryShareSummaryOfComputationOfBasicAndDilutedEarningsPerShareParenthetical
1339	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1340	Earnings per share [abstract]	Abstract			ifrs-full:EarningsPerShareAbstract
1341	Contingently issuable ordinary shares excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per ordinary share	Concept (Shares)	For Period		crh:InstrumentsWithPotentialFutureDilutiveEffectNotIncludedInCalculationOfDilutedEarningsPerShare
1342	1126 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment - Schedule of Property Plant and Equipment (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyPlantAndEquipmentScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment
1343	Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable
1344	Classes of property, plant and equipment [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAxis
1345	Property, plant and equipment [member]	Member			ifrs-full:PropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember
1346	Land and buildings [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LandAndBuildingsMember
1347	Plant and machinery [member]	Member			crh:PlantAndMachineryMember
1348	Assets in course of construction [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ConstructionInProgressMember
1349	Carrying amount, accumulated depreciation, amortisation and impairment and gross carrying amount [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CarryingAmountAccumulatedDepreciationAmortisationAndImpairmentAndGrossCarryingAmountAxis
1350	Carrying amount [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CarryingAmountMember
1351	Cost/deemed cost [member]	Member			ifrs-full:GrossCarryingAmountMember
1352	Accumulated depreciation, amortisation (and impairment charges) [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AccumulatedDepreciationAmortisationAndImpairmentMember
1353	Disclosure of Detailed Information about Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems
1354	Beginning balance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:PropertyPlantAndEquipment
1355	Reclassified from held for sale (ii)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:IncreaseThroughClassifiedFromHeldForSalePropertyPlantAndEquipment
1356	Translation adjustment	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughNetExchangeDifferencesPropertyPlantAndEquipment
1357	Reclassifications	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughTransfersPropertyPlantAndEquipment
1358	Additions at cost	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AdditionsOtherThanThroughBusinessCombinationsPropertyPlantAndEquipment
1359	Arising on acquisition (note 32)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AcquisitionsThroughBusinessCombinationsPropertyPlantAndEquipment
1360	Disposals at net carrying amount	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:DisposalsPropertyPlantAndEquipment
1361	Depreciation charge for year (iii)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:DepreciationPropertyPlantAndEquipment
1362	Impairment charge for year (iv)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:ImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLossPropertyPlantAndEquipment
1363	Reclassified as held for sale	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:DecreaseThroughClassifiedAsHeldForSalePropertyPlantAndEquipment
1364	Ending Balance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:PropertyPlantAndEquipment
1365	1127 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment - Schedule of Property Plant and Equipment (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyPlantAndEquipmentScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentParenthetical
1366	Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable
1367	Classes of property, plant and equipment [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAxis
1368	Property, plant and equipment [member]	Member			ifrs-full:PropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember
1369	Mineral bearing land [member]	Member			crh:MineralBearingLandMember
1370	Continuing and discontinued operations [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
1371	Continuing Operations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ContinuingOperationsMember
1372	Discontinued operations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:DiscontinuedOperationsMember
1373	Segment consolidation items [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SegmentConsolidationItemsAxis
1374	Entity's total for segment consolidation items [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForSegmentConsolidationItemsMember
1375	Europe Heavyside [member]	Member			crh:EuropeHeavysideMember
1376	Disclosure of Detailed Information about Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems
1377	Carrying value	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:PropertyPlantAndEquipment
1378	Depreciation charge for year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:DepreciationPropertyPlantAndEquipment
1379	Impairment charge	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:ImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLossPropertyPlantAndEquipment
1380	1128 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment - Schedule of Future Purchase Commitments for Property, Plant and Equipment (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyPlantAndEquipmentScheduleOfFuturePurchaseCommitmentsForPropertyPlantAndEquipment
1381	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1382	Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [abstract]	Abstract			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAbstract
1383	Contracted for but not provided in the financial statements	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:ContractualCommitmentsForAcquisitionOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment
1384	Authorised by the Directors but not contracted for	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:CommitmentsForAcquisitionOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAuthorisedByTheDirectorsButNotContracted
1385	1129 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets - Summary of Intangible Assets (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssetsSummaryOfIntangibleAssets
1386	Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfReconciliationOfChangesInIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwillTable
1387	Classes of intangible assets and goodwill [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwillAxis
1388	Intangible assets and goodwill [member]	Member			ifrs-full:IntangibleAssetsAndGoodwillMember
1389	Goodwill [member]	Member			ifrs-full:GoodwillMember
1390	Marketing related intangibles [member]	Member			crh:MarketingRelatedIntangiblesMember
1391	Customer-related intangible assets [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CustomerrelatedIntangibleAssetsMember
1392	Contract based intangible assets [member]	Member			crh:ContractBasedIntangibleAssets1Member
1393	Carrying amount, accumulated depreciation, amortisation and impairment and gross carrying amount [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CarryingAmountAccumulatedDepreciationAmortisationAndImpairmentAndGrossCarryingAmountAxis
1394	Carrying amount [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CarryingAmountMember
1395	Cost/deemed cost [member]	Member			ifrs-full:GrossCarryingAmountMember
1396	Accumulated depreciation, amortisation (and impairment charges) [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AccumulatedDepreciationAmortisationAndImpairmentMember
1397	Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [line items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfReconciliationOfChangesInIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwillLineItems
1398	Beginning balance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:IntangibleAssetsAndGoodwill
1399	Reclassified from held for sale (ii)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:IncreaseThroughClassifiedFromHeldForSaleIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwill
1400	Translation adjustment	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughNetExchangeDifferencesIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwill
1401	Reclassifications	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughTransfersAndOtherChangesIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwill
1402	Arising on acquisition (note 32)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AcquisitionsThroughBusinessCombinationsIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwill
1403	Disposals	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:DisposalsIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwill
1404	Amortisation charge for year (iii)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:AmortisationIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
1405	Impairment charge for year (iv)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:ImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLossIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwill
1406	Reclassified as held for sale	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:DecreaseThroughClassifiedAsHeldForSaleIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwill
1407	Ending balance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:IntangibleAssetsAndGoodwill
1408	1130 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets - Summary of Intangible Assets (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssetsSummaryOfIntangibleAssetsParenthetical
1409	Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfReconciliationOfChangesInIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwillTable
1410	Classes of intangible assets and goodwill [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwillAxis
1411	Intangible assets and goodwill [member]	Member			ifrs-full:IntangibleAssetsAndGoodwillMember
1412	Customer-related intangible assets [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CustomerrelatedIntangibleAssetsMember
1413	Continuing and discontinued operations [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
1414	Continuing Operations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ContinuingOperationsMember
1415	Discontinued operations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:DiscontinuedOperationsMember
1416	Products and services [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ProductsAndServicesAxis
1417	Products and services [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ProductsAndServicesMember
1418	DIY business in Belgium and Netherlands [member]	Member			crh:DIYBusinessInBelgiumAndTheNetherlandsMember
1419	Segments [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SegmentsAxis
1420	Segments [member]	Member			ifrs-full:SegmentsMember
1421	Europe Distribution [member]	Member			crh:EuropeDistributionMember
1422	Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [line items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfReconciliationOfChangesInIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwillLineItems
1423	Amortisation charge for year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:AmortisationIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
1424	Consideration	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ConsiderationPaidReceived
1425	Impairment charge	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:ImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLossIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
1426	1131 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssetsAdditionalInformation
1427	Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfIntangibleAssetsTable
1428	Geographical areas [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasAxis
1429	Geographical areas [member]	Member			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasMember
1430	Europe [member]	Member			srt:EuropeMember
1431	Americas [member]	Member			srt:AmericasMember
1432	Asia [member]	Member			srt:AsiaMember
1433	Segments [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SegmentsAxis
1434	Segments [member]	Member			ifrs-full:SegmentsMember
1435	US Cement (Americas Materials segment) and Americas Building Products (Americas Products segment) [member]	Member			crh:USCementAmericasMaterialsSegmentAndAmericasBuildingProductsAmericasProductsSegmentMember
1436	Levels of fair value hierarchy [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:LevelsOfFairValueHierarchyAxis
1437	All levels of fair value hierarchy [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AllLevelsOfFairValueHierarchyMember
1438	Level 3 of fair value hierarchy [member]	Member			ifrs-full:Level3OfFairValueHierarchyMember
1439	Individual assets or cash-generating units [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:IndividualAssetsOrCashgeneratingUnitsAxis
1440	Entity's total for individual assets or cash-generating units [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForIndividualAssetsOrCashgeneratingUnitsMember
1441	Individual assets or cash-generating units [member]	Member			ifrs-full:IndividualAssetsOrCashgeneratingUnitsMember
1442	Classes of assets [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsAxis
1443	Assets [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsMember
1444	Long lived cement assets [member]	Member			crh:LongLivedCementAssetsMember
1445	Range [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:RangeAxis
1446	Ranges [member]	Member			ifrs-full:RangesMember
1447	Minimum [member]	Member			ifrs-full:BottomOfRangeMember
1448	Maximum [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TopOfRangeMember
1449	Cash-generating units [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:IndividualAssetsOrCashgeneratingUnitsWithSignificantAmountOfGoodwillOrIntangibleAssetsWithIndefiniteUsefulLivesAxis
1450	Entity's total for cash-generating units [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForCashgeneratingUnitsMember
1451	Each of remaining cash generating units [member]	Member			crh:EachOfRemainingCashGeneratingUnitsMember
1452	Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfIntangibleAssetsLineItems
1453	Number of cash generating units identified	Concept (Integer)	For Period		crh:NumberOfCashGeneratingUnits
1454	Number of business segments analysed for cash generating units	Concept (Integer)	For Period		crh:NumberOfBusinessSegmentsConsideredForCashGeneratingUnitsAnalysis
1455	Description of level of fair value hierarchy within which fair value measurement is categorised for goodwill	Concept (Text/String)	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfLevelOfFairValueHierarchyWithinWhichFairValueMeasurementIsCategorised
1456	Number of CGUs subject to impairment testing for goodwill	Concept (Integer)	For Period		crh:NumberOfCashGeneratingUnitsSubjectToImpairmentTestingForGoodwill
1457	Cash flow forecasts projection period description	Concept (Text/String)	For Period		ifrs-full:ExplanationOfPeriodOverWhichManagementHasProjectedCashFlows
1458	Terminal value assumption annuity period	Concept (xbrli:durationItemType)	For Period		crh:TerminalValueAssumptionAnnuityPeriod
1459	Discount rate applied to the cash flow projections (real pre-tax)	Concept (Percent)	As Of		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfDiscountRatesAppliedToCashFlowProjections
1460	Growth rate used to extrapolate cash flow projections	Concept (Percent)	As Of		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfGrowthRateUsedToExtrapolateCashFlowProjections
1461	Impairment charge	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:ImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLossIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
1462	Percentage of goodwill allocated to CGUs	Concept (Percent)	For Period		crh:PercentageOfGoodwillAllocated
1463	Sensitivity analysis description	Concept (Text/String)	For Period		ifrs-full:ExplanationOfValueAssignedToKeyAssumption
1464	Goodwill at date of testing	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:GoodwillAtDateOfTesting
1465	Average EBITDA margin for CGU over initial five-year period	Concept (Percent)	For Period		crh:AverageEBITDAMarginOverInitialFiveYearPeriod
1466	Value-in-use (being the present value of future net cash flows)	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:RecoverableAmountOfAssetOrCashgeneratingUnit
1467	Carrying amount	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:AmountByWhichValueAssignedToKeyAssumptionCarryingAmount
1468	Excess of value-in-use over carrying amount	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:AmountByWhichUnitsRecoverableAmountExceedsItsCarryingAmount
1469	1132 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets - Summary of Goodwill by Cash Generating Units (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssetsSummaryOfGoodwillByCashGeneratingUnits
1470	Disclosure of information for cash-generating units [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfInformationForIndividualAssetOrCashgeneratingUnitWithSignificantAmountOfGoodwillOrIntangibleAssetsWithIndefiniteUsefulLivesTable
1471	Classes of intangible assets and goodwill [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwillAxis
1472	Intangible assets and goodwill [member]	Member			ifrs-full:IntangibleAssetsAndGoodwillMember
1473	Cash generating unit [member]	Member			crh:CashGeneratingUnitMember
1474	Cash-generating units [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:IndividualAssetsOrCashgeneratingUnitsWithSignificantAmountOfGoodwillOrIntangibleAssetsWithIndefiniteUsefulLivesAxis
1475	Entity's total for cash-generating units [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForCashgeneratingUnitsMember
1476	Europe Heavyside [member]	Member			crh:EuropeHeavysideMember
1477	Europe Lightside [member]	Member			crh:EuropeLightsideMember
1478	Europe Distribution [member]	Member			crh:EuropeDistributionMember
1479	Europe [member]	Member			srt:EuropeMember
1480	Americas Materials [member]	Member			crh:AmericasMaterialsMember
1481	Americas Products [member]	Member			crh:AmericasProductsMember
1482	Americas Distribution [member]	Member			crh:AmericasDistributionMember
1483	Americas [member]	Member			srt:AmericasMember
1484	Asia [member]	Member			srt:AsiaMember
1485	Disclosure of information for cash-generating units [line items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfInformationForIndividualAssetOrCashgeneratingUnitWithSignificantAmountOfGoodwillOrIntangibleAssetsWithIndefiniteUsefulLivesLineItems
1486	Cash-generating units	Concept (Integer)	For Period		crh:NumberOfCashGeneratingUnits
1487	Goodwill	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:Goodwill
1488	1133 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets - Summary of Significant Goodwill Amounts (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssetsSummaryOfSignificantGoodwillAmounts
1489	Disclosure of information for cash-generating units [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfInformationForIndividualAssetOrCashgeneratingUnitWithSignificantAmountOfGoodwillOrIntangibleAssetsWithIndefiniteUsefulLivesTable
1490	Cash-generating units [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:IndividualAssetsOrCashgeneratingUnitsWithSignificantAmountOfGoodwillOrIntangibleAssetsWithIndefiniteUsefulLivesAxis
1491	Entity's total for cash-generating units [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForCashgeneratingUnitsMember
1492	United States Cement [member]	Member			crh:UnitedStatesCementMember
1493	Americas Building Products [member]	Member			crh:AmericasBuildingProductsMember
1494	Disclosure of information for cash-generating units [line items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfInformationForIndividualAssetOrCashgeneratingUnitWithSignificantAmountOfGoodwillOrIntangibleAssetsWithIndefiniteUsefulLivesLineItems
1495	Goodwill allocated to the cash-generating unit at balance sheet date	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:Goodwill
1496	Discount rate applied to the cash flow projections (real pre-tax)	Concept (Percent)	As Of		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfDiscountRatesAppliedToCashFlowProjections
1497	Average EBITDA (as defined)* margin over the initial 5-year period	Concept (Percent)	For Period		crh:AverageEBITDAMarginOverInitialFiveYearPeriod
1498	Value-in-use (present value of future cash flows)	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:RecoverableAmountOfAssetOrCashgeneratingUnit
1499	Excess of value-in-use over carrying amount	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:AmountByWhichUnitsRecoverableAmountExceedsItsCarryingAmount
1500	1134 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets - Summary of Key Assumptions and Sensitivity Analysis Relating to Cash Generating Units (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssetsSummaryOfKeyAssumptionsAndSensitivityAnalysisRelatingToCashGeneratingUnits
1501	Disclosure of information for cash-generating units [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfInformationForIndividualAssetOrCashgeneratingUnitWithSignificantAmountOfGoodwillOrIntangibleAssetsWithIndefiniteUsefulLivesTable
1502	Geographical areas [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasAxis
1503	Geographical areas [member]	Member			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasMember
1504	In respect of two cash-generating units [member]	Member			crh:InRespectOfTwoCashgeneratingUnitsMember
1505	Range [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:RangeAxis
1506	Ranges [member]	Member			ifrs-full:RangesMember
1507	Minimum [member]	Member			ifrs-full:BottomOfRangeMember
1508	Maximum [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TopOfRangeMember
1509	Disclosure of information for cash-generating units [line items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfInformationForIndividualAssetOrCashgeneratingUnitWithSignificantAmountOfGoodwillOrIntangibleAssetsWithIndefiniteUsefulLivesLineItems
1510	Reduction in EBITDA (as defined) margin	Concept (Text/String)	For Period		crh:DescriptionReductionInEBITDAMargin
1511	Reduction in profit before tax	Concept (Percent)	For Period		crh:PercentageOfReductionInProfitLossBeforeTax
1512	Reduction in net cash flow	Concept (Percent)	For Period		crh:PercentageOfReductionInNetCashFlow
1513	Increase in pre-tax discount rate	Concept (Text/String)	For Period		crh:DescriptionOfIncreaseInPreTaxDiscountRate
1514	1135 - Disclosure - Financial Assets - Summary of Investments Accounted for Using Equity Method (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFinancialAssetsSummaryOfInvestmentsAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
1515	Disclosure of financial assets [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialAssetsTable
1516	Classes of financial assets [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
1517	Financial assets, class [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsMember
1518	Share of net assets [Member]	Member			crh:ShareOfNetAssetMember
1519	Loans1 [member]	Member			crh:Loans1Member
1520	Classes of assets [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsAxis
1521	Assets [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsMember
1522	Other [Member]	Member			ifrs-full:OtherAssetsMember
1523	Disclosure of financial assets [line items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialAssetsLineItems
1524	Beginning balance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:InvestmentAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
1525	Beginning balance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:InvestmentsAndOtherFinancialAssets
1526	Translation adjustment	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughForeignExchangeFinancialAssets
1527	Investments and advances	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:InvestmentAndAdvances
1528	Investment and loan to associate in lieu of cash proceeds	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:InvestmentsAndLoanToAssociatesInLieuOfCashProceeds
1529	Joint ventures becoming subsidiaries (note 32)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:JointVenturesBecomingSubsidiaries
1530	Disposals and repayments	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:DisposalsAndRepayments
1531	Disposals and repayments	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:DisposalsAndRepaymentsAdjustments
1532	Arising on acquisition (note 32)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:AcquisitionOfInterestInAssociatesAndJointVenturesAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
1533	Share of profit after tax	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ShareOfProfitLossOfAssociatesAndJointVenturesAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
1534	Dividends received	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:DividendsReceivedFromAssociatesAndJointVentures
1535	Ending balance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:InvestmentAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
1536	Ending balance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:InvestmentsAndOtherFinancialAssets
1537	1136 - Disclosure - Financial Assets - Summary of Financial Information for Group's Investment in Joint Ventures and Associates (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFinancialAssetsSummaryOfFinancialInformationForGroupsInvestmentInJointVenturesAndAssociates
1538	Disclosure of associates and joint ventures [table]	Table	*	*	crh:DisclosureOfAssociatesAndJointVenturesTable
1539	Joint ventures [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:JointVenturesAxis
1540	Entity's total for joint ventures [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForJointVenturesMember
1541	Joint ventures [member]	Member			ifrs-full:JointVenturesMember
1542	Associates [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesAxis
1543	Entity's total for associates [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForAssociatesMember
1544	Associates [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AssociatesMember
1545	Categories of related parties [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CategoriesOfRelatedPartiesAxis
1546	Entity's total for related parties [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForRelatedPartiesMember
1547	Associates and joint ventures [member]	Member			crh:AssociatesAndJointVenturesMember
1548	Disclosure of associates and joint ventures [line items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfAssociatesAndJointVenturesLineItems
1549	Non-current assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentAssets
1550	Current assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CurrentAssets
1551	Non-current liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentLiabilities
1552	Current liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:CurrentLiabilities
1553	Net assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:NetAssetsLiabilities
1554	1137 - Disclosure - Financial Assets - Additional Information (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFinancialAssetsAdditionalInformation
1555	Disclosure of financial assets [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialAssetsTable
1556	Associates [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesAxis
1557	Entity's total for associates [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForAssociatesMember
1558	Samse s.a [member]	Member			crh:SamseSAMember
1559	Geographical areas [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasAxis
1560	Geographical areas [member]	Member			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasMember
1561	France [member]	Member			country:FR
1562	Categories of related parties [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CategoriesOfRelatedPartiesAxis
1563	Entity's total for related parties [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForRelatedPartiesMember
1564	Associates [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AssociatesMember
1565	Levels of fair value hierarchy [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:LevelsOfFairValueHierarchyAxis
1566	All levels of fair value hierarchy [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AllLevelsOfFairValueHierarchyMember
1567	Level 1 of fair value hierarchy [member]	Member			ifrs-full:Level1OfFairValueHierarchyMember
1568	Disclosure of financial assets [line items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialAssetsLineItems
1569	Proportion of ownership interest in associate	Concept (Percent)	For Period		ifrs-full:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInAssociate
1570	Fair value of investments in associates where price quotations published	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:FairValueOfInvestmentsInAssociatesWherePriceQuotationsPublished
1571	1138 - Disclosure - Inventories - Summary of Inventories (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInventoriesSummaryOfInventories
1572	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1573	Current raw materials and current production supplies [abstract]	Abstract			ifrs-full:CurrentRawMaterialsAndCurrentProductionSuppliesAbstract
1574	Raw materials	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:RawMaterials
1575	Work-in-progress	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:WorkInProgress
1576	Finished goods	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:FinishedGoods
1577	Total inventories at the lower of cost and net realisable value	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:Inventories
1578	1139 - Disclosure - Inventories - Summary of Inventories (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInventoriesSummaryOfInventoriesParenthetical
1579	Classes of inventories [table]	Table	*	*	crh:ClassesOfInventoriesTable
1580	Types of contracts [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfContractsAxis
1581	Types of contracts [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TypesOfContractsMember
1582	Construction contracts [member]	Member			crh:ConstructionContracts1Member
1583	Classes of inventories [line items]	LineItems			crh:ClassesOfInventoriesLineItems
1584	Work-in-progress	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:WorkInProgress
1585	1140 - Disclosure - Inventories - Additional Information (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInventoriesAdditionalInformation
1586	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1587	Write-downs (reversals of write-downs) of inventories [abstract]	Abstract			ifrs-full:WritedownsReversalsOfWritedownsOfInventoriesAbstract
1588	Inventories write-down	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:InventoryWritedown2011
1589	1141 - Disclosure - Trade and Other Receivables - Summary of Trade and Other Receivables (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureTradeAndOtherReceivablesSummaryOfTradeAndOtherReceivables
1590	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1591	Trade and other receivables [abstract]	Abstract			ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherReceivablesAbstract
1592	Current	Abstract			ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherCurrentReceivablesAbstract
1593	Trade receivables	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CurrentTradeReceivables
1594	Amounts receivable in respect of construction contracts	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:AmountsReceivableInRespectOfConstructionContracts
1595	Total trade receivables, gross	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:TradeReceivablesGross
1596	Loss allowance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:LossAllowanceForTradeReceivables
1597	Total trade receivables, net	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:TradeReceivablesNet
1598	Amounts receivable from equity accounted investments	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherCurrentReceivablesDueFromRelatedParties
1599	Prepayments and other receivables	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:PrepaymentsAndOtherReceivables
1600	Total	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherCurrentReceivables
1601	Non-current	Abstract			ifrs-full:NoncurrentReceivablesAbstract
1602	Other receivables	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:OtherNoncurrentReceivables
1603	1142 - Disclosure - Trade and Other Receivables - Summary of Trade and Other Receivables (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureTradeAndOtherReceivablesSummaryOfTradeAndOtherReceivablesParenthetical
1604	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1605	Trade and other receivables [abstract]	Abstract			ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherReceivablesAbstract
1606	Unbilled revenue from construction contracts	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:UnbilledRevenuesFromConstructionContract
1607	Retentions held by customers in respect of construction contracts	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:RetentionForContractsInProgress1
1608	1143 - Disclosure - Trade and Other Receivables - Summary of Loss Allowance for Receivables (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureTradeAndOtherReceivablesSummaryOfLossAllowanceForReceivables
1609	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1610	SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]	Abstract			srt:ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsAbstract
1611	At 1 January	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:LossAllowanceForReceivables
1612	Reclassified from*/(as) held for sale	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:ReclassifiedFromAsHeldForSaleLossAllowanceForReceivables
1613	Translation adjustment	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:TranslationAdjustmentForLossAllowanceForReceivables
1614	Provided during year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ImpairmentLossReversalOfImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLossTradeReceivables
1615	Disposed of during year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:DisposedLossAllowanceForReceivables
1616	Written off during year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:WrittenOffLossAllowanceForReceivables
1617	Arising on acquisition (note 32)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:ArisingOnAcquisitionLossAllowanceForReceivables
1618	Recovered during year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:RecoveredLossAllowanceForReceivables
1619	At 31 December	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:LossAllowanceForReceivables
1620	1144 - Disclosure - Trade and Other Receivables - Summary of Loss Allowance by Segment (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureTradeAndOtherReceivablesSummaryOfLossAllowanceBySegment
1621	Disclosure Of Provision For Impairment Of Receivable [table]	Table	*	*	crh:DisclosureOfProvisionForImpairmentOfReceivableTable
1622	Segment consolidation items [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SegmentConsolidationItemsAxis
1623	Entity's total for segment consolidation items [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForSegmentConsolidationItemsMember
1624	Europe Heavyside [member]	Member			crh:EuropeHeavysideMember
1625	Europe Lightside [member]	Member			crh:EuropeLightsideMember
1626	Europe Distribution [member]	Member			crh:EuropeDistributionMember
1627	Americas Materials [member]	Member			crh:AmericasMaterialsMember
1628	Americas Products [member]	Member			crh:AmericasProductsMember
1629	Americas Distribution [member]	Member			crh:AmericasDistributionMember
1630	Geographical areas [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasAxis
1631	Geographical areas [member]	Member			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasMember
1632	Europe [member]	Member			srt:EuropeMember
1633	Americas [member]	Member			srt:AmericasMember
1634	Asia [member]	Member			srt:AsiaMember
1635	Disclosure Of Provision For Impairment Of Receivable [line items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfProvisionForImpairmentOfReceivableLineItems
1636	Loss allowance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:LossAllowanceOfReceivablesContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperations
1637	Loss allowance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:LossAllowanceOfReceivablesContinuingOperations
1638	Loss allowance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:LossAllowanceOfReceivablesDiscontinuingOperations
1639	1145 - Disclosure - Trade and Other Receivables - Summary of Gross Carrying Value Trade Receivables by Segment (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureTradeAndOtherReceivablesSummaryOfGrossCarryingValueTradeReceivablesBySegment
1640	Disclosure Of Provision For Impairment Of Receivable [table]	Table	*	*	crh:DisclosureOfProvisionForImpairmentOfReceivableTable
1641	Segment consolidation items [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SegmentConsolidationItemsAxis
1642	Entity's total for segment consolidation items [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForSegmentConsolidationItemsMember
1643	Europe Heavyside [member]	Member			crh:EuropeHeavysideMember
1644	Europe Lightside [member]	Member			crh:EuropeLightsideMember
1645	Europe Distribution [member]	Member			crh:EuropeDistributionMember
1646	Americas Materials [member]	Member			crh:AmericasMaterialsMember
1647	Americas Products [member]	Member			crh:AmericasProductsMember
1648	Americas Distribution [member]	Member			crh:AmericasDistributionMember
1649	Geographical areas [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasAxis
1650	Geographical areas [member]	Member			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasMember
1651	Europe [member]	Member			srt:EuropeMember
1652	Americas [member]	Member			srt:AmericasMember
1653	Asia [member]	Member			srt:AsiaMember
1654	Disclosure Of Provision For Impairment Of Receivable [line items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfProvisionForImpairmentOfReceivableLineItems
1655	Gross carrying value of trade receivables	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:TradeReceivablesGross
1656	1146 - Disclosure - Trade and Other Receivables - Additional Information (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureTradeAndOtherReceivablesAdditionalInformation
1657	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1658	Trade and other receivables [abstract]	Abstract			ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherReceivablesAbstract
1659	Trade receivables percentage	Concept (Percent)	As Of		crh:PercentageOfTradeReceivablesNeitherPastDueNorImpaired
1660	Trade and amount receivables	Concept (Text/String)	For Period		crh:TradeReceivablesAndAmountsReceivableInRespectOfConstructionContractsCollectionPeriod
1661	1147 - Disclosure - Trade and Other Receivables - Summary of Aged Analysis of Trade Receivables and Amounts Receivable in Respect of Construction Contracts at Balance Sheet Date (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureTradeAndOtherReceivablesSummaryOfAgedAnalysisOfTradeReceivablesAndAmountsReceivableInRespectOfConstructionContractsAtBalanceSheetDate
1662	Disclosure Of Aging Analysis Of Trade And Amounts Receivable In Respect Of Construction Contracts [table]	Table	*	*	crh:DisclosureOfAgingAnalysisOfTradeAndAmountsReceivableInRespectOfConstructionContractsTable
1663	Past due status [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:PastDueStatusAxis
1664	Past due status [member]	Member			ifrs-full:PastDueStatusMember
1665	Neither Past Due Nor Impaired [member]	Member			crh:NeitherPastDueNorImpairedMember
1666	Less Than 60 Days [member]	Member			crh:PastDueButNotImpairedLessThanSixtyDaysMember
1667	60 Days or Greater but Less than 120 Days [member]	Member			crh:PastDueButNotImpairedSixtyDaysOrGreaterButLessThanOneHundredAndTwentyDaysMember
1668	120 Days or Greater [member]	Member			crh:PastDueButNotImpairedOneHundredAndTwentyDaysOrGreaterMemberMember
1669	Impaired (partial or full provision) [member]	Member			crh:ImpairedMember
1670	Disclosure Of Aging Analysis Of Trade And Amounts Receivable In Respect Of Construction Contracts [line items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfAgingAnalysisOfTradeAndAmountsReceivableInRespectOfConstructionContractsLineItems
1671	Total trade receivables, gross	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:TradeReceivablesGross
1672	1148 - Disclosure - Trade and Other Payables - Summary of Trade and Other Payables (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureTradeAndOtherPayablesSummaryOfTradeAndOtherPayables
1673	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1674	Disclosure of trade and other payables [abstract]	Abstract			crh:DisclosureOfTradeAndOtherPayablesAbstract
1675	Current	Abstract			ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherCurrentPayablesAbstract
1676	Trade payables	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherCurrentPayablesToTradeSuppliers
1677	Construction contract-related payables	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:ConstructionContractRelatedPayablesCurrent
1678	Deferred and contingent acquisition consideration	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:DeferredAndContingentAcquisitionConsiderationCurrent
1679	Accruals and other payables	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:AccrualsClassifiedAsCurrent
1680	Amounts payable to equity accounted investments	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherCurrentPayablesToRelatedParties
1681	Total	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherCurrentPayables
1682	Non-current	Abstract			ifrs-full:NoncurrentPayablesAbstract
1683	Other payables	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherNoncurrentPayables
1684	Deferred and contingent acquisition consideration	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:DeferredAndContingentAcquisitionConsiderationNoncurrent
1685	Total	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentPayables
1686	1149 - Disclosure - Trade and Other Payables - Summary of Trade and Other Payables (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureTradeAndOtherPayablesSummaryOfTradeAndOtherPayablesParenthetical
1687	Disclosure of trade and other payables [table]	Table	*	*	crh:DisclosureOfTradeAndOtherPayablesTable
1688	Levels of fair value hierarchy [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:LevelsOfFairValueHierarchyAxis
1689	All levels of fair value hierarchy [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AllLevelsOfFairValueHierarchyMember
1690	Level 3 of fair value hierarchy [member]	Member			ifrs-full:Level3OfFairValueHierarchyMember
1691	Range [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:RangeAxis
1692	Ranges [member]	Member			ifrs-full:RangesMember
1693	Minimum [member]	Member			ifrs-full:BottomOfRangeMember
1694	Maximum [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TopOfRangeMember
1695	Disclosure of trade and other payables [line items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfTradeAndOtherPayablesLineItems
1696	Construction contract-related payables	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:ConstructionContractRelatedPayablesRecognisedInTheConsolidatedIncomeStatementDuringTheYear
1697	Fair value of total contingent consideration	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:YearendFairValueOfTotalConsiderationTransferred
1698	Deferred consideration	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:DeferredConsideration
1699	Contingent consideration liability on undiscounted basis	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:ContingentConsiderationLiabilityOnUndiscountedBasis
1700	1150 - Disclosure - Trade and Other Payables - Summary of Movement in Deferred and Contingent Consideration (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureTradeAndOtherPayablesSummaryOfMovementInDeferredAndContingentConsideration
1701	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1702	Disclosure of contingent liabilities [abstract]	Abstract			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfContingentLiabilitiesAbstract
1703	At 1 January	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:ContingentAndDeferredConsiderationRecognisedInBusinessCombination
1704	Reclassified from/(as) held for sale	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:ContingentAndDeferredConsiderationRecognisedInBusinessCombinationReclassifiedFromAsHeldForSale
1705	Translation adjustment	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:IncreaseDecreaseThroughTranslationAdjustmentLiabilitiesRelatedToContingentAndDeferredConsiderationAcquisition
1706	Arising on acquisitions and investments during year (note 32)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:NewLiabilitiesContingentAndDeferredConsiderationRecognisedInBusinessCombination
1707	Changes in estimate	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:IncreaseThroughAdjustmentsArisingFromPassageOfTimeContingentAndDeferredConsiderationRecognisedInBusinessCombination
1708	Disposals	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:ContingentAndDeferredConsiderationDisposed
1709	Paid during year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:SettledLiabilitiesContingentAndDeferredConsiderationRecognisedInBusinessCombination
1710	Discount unwinding	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:IncreaseDueToUnwindingOfDiscountsRelatedToDeferredAndContingentAcquisitionConsideration
1711	At 31 December	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:ContingentAndDeferredConsiderationRecognisedInBusinessCombination
1712	1151 - Disclosure - Movement in Working Capital and Provisions for Liabilities - Summary of Movement in Working Capital and Provisions for Liabilities (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureMovementInWorkingCapitalAndProvisionsForLiabilitiesSummaryOfMovementInWorkingCapitalAndProvisionsForLiabilities
1713	Disclosure Of Movement In Working Capital And Provisions For Liabilities [table]	Table	*	*	crh:DisclosureOfMovementInWorkingCapitalAndProvisionsForLiabilitiesTable
1714	Assets and liabilities [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:AssetsAndLiabilitiesAxis
1715	Assets and liabilities [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AssetsAndLiabilitiesMember
1716	Inventories [member]	Member			crh:InventoryMember
1717	Trade and other receivables [member]	Member			crh:TradeAndOtherReceivableMember
1718	Trade and other payables [member]	Member			crh:TradeAndOtherPayableMember
1719	Provisions for liabilities [member]	Member			crh:ProvisionsForLiabilitiesMember
1720	Disclosure of Movement in Working Capital and Provisions for Liabilities [Line Items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfMovementInWorkingCapitalAndProvisionsForLiabilitiesLineItems
1721	Beginning balance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:WorkingCapitalAndProvisionsForLiabilities
1722	Reclassified from held for sale (i)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:WorkingCapitalAndProvisionsForLiabilitiesReclassifiedFromHeldForSale
1723	Translation adjustment	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:WorkingCapitalAndProvisionsForLiabilitiesTranslationAdjustment
1724	Arising on acquisition (note 32)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:WorkingCapitalAndProvisionsForLiabilitiesFromAcquisition
1725	Disposals	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:WorkingCapitalAndProvisionsForLiabilitiesDisposals
1726	- arising on acquisitions during year (note 32)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:WorkingCapitalAndProvisionsForLiabilitiesDeferredAndContingentConsiderationArisingOnAcquisition
1727	- paid during year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:WorkingCapitalAndProvisionsForLiabilitiesDeferredAndContingentAcquisitionConsiderationPaid
1728	Deferred proceeds arising on disposals during year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:WorkingCapitalAndProvisionForLiabilitiesDeferredProceedsArisingOnDisposals
1729	Interest accruals and discount unwinding	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:WorkingCapitalAndProvisionForLiabilitiesInterestAccrualsAndDiscountUnwinding
1730	Reclassification	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:WorkingCapitalAndProvisionForLiabilitiesReclassification
1731	Transfer to property, plant and equipment	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:WorkingCapitalTransferToPropertyPlantAndEquipment
1732	Increase in working capital and provisions for liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:IncreaseDecreaseInWorkingCapitalAndProvisionsForLiabilities
1733	Reclassified as held for sale	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:WorkingCapitalAndProvisionsForLiabilitiesReclassifiedAsFromHeldForSale
1734	Ending balance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:WorkingCapitalAndProvisionsForLiabilities
1735	1152 - Disclosure - Analysis of Net Debt - Component of Net Debt (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAnalysisOfNetDebtComponentOfNetDebt
1736	Disclosure of Financial Assets and Liabilities [Table]	Table	*	*	crh:DisclosureOfFinancialAssetsAndLiabilitiesTable
1737	Measurement [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:MeasurementAxis
1738	Aggregated measurement [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AggregatedMeasurementMember
1739	Fair Value [Member]	Member			ifrs-full:AtFairValueMember
1740	Carrying amount, accumulated depreciation, amortisation and impairment and gross carrying amount [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CarryingAmountAccumulatedDepreciationAmortisationAndImpairmentAndGrossCarryingAmountAxis
1741	Carrying amount [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CarryingAmountMember
1742	Book Value [Member]	Member			crh:NetCarryingAmountMember
1743	Disclosure of Financial Assets and Liabilities [line items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfFinancialAssetsAndLiabilitiesLineItems
1744	Cash and cash equivalents (note 24)	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalents
1745	Interest-bearing loans and borrowings (note 25)	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:Borrowings
1746	Derivative financial instruments (net) (note 26)	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:DerivativeFinancialAssetsLiabilitiesNet
1747	Group net debt	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NetDebt
1748	1153 - Disclosure - Analysis of Net Debt - Reconciliation of Opening to Closing Net Debt (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAnalysisOfNetDebtReconciliationOfOpeningToClosingNetDebt
1749	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1750	Disclosure Of Reconciliation Of Opening To Closing Net Debt [abstract]	Abstract			crh:DisclosureOfReconciliationOfOpeningToClosingNetDebtAbstract
1751	Beginning Balance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NetDebt
1752	Debt in acquired companies (note 32)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:DebtInAcquiredCompanies
1753	Increase in interest-bearing loans, borrowings and finance leases	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:IncreaseInInterestBearingLoansBorrowingsAndFinanceLeasesClassifiedAsFinancingActivities
1754	Net cash flow arising from derivative financial instruments	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:IncreaseInNetDebtFromNetCashFlowArisingFromDerivativeFinancialInstruments
1755	Repayment of interest-bearing loans, borrowings and finance leases	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:DecreaseThroughRepaymentsOfInterestBearingLoansBorrowingsAndFinanceLeases
1756	Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseInCashAndCashEquivalentsBeforeEffectOfExchangeRateChanges
1757	Mark-to-market adjustment	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:MarktomarketAdjustmentInterestbearingLoansAndBorrowings
1758	Translation adjustment	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:TranslationAdjustmentNetDebt
1759	Ending balance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NetDebt
1760	1154 - Disclosure - Analysis of Net Debt - Schedule of Effective Interest Rates on Period-End Fixed, Gross and Net Debt (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAnalysisOfNetDebtScheduleOfEffectiveInterestRatesOnPeriodEndFixedGrossAndNetDebt
1761	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1762	Disclosure of components of net debt [abstract]	Abstract			crh:DisclosureOfComponentsOfNetDebtAbstract
1763	Interest-bearing loans and borrowings nominal - fixed rate	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:InterestBearingLoansBorrowingsAtNominalFixedRate
1764	Derivative financial instruments - fixed rate	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsFixedRate
1765	Net fixed rate debt including derivatives	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:NetFixedRateDebtIncludingDerivatives
1766	Interest-bearing loans and borrowings nominal - floating rate	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:InterestBearingLoansBorrowingsAtNominalFloatingRate
1767	Adjustment of debt from nominal to book value	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:AdjustmentOfDebtFromNominalToBookValue
1768	Derivative financial instruments - currency floating rate	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAtCurrencyFloatingRate
1769	Gross debt including derivative financial instruments	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:GrossDebtIncludingDerivativeFinancialInstruments
1770	Cash and cash equivalents - floating rate (note 24)	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:CashAndCashEquivalentsFloatingRate
1771	Group net debt	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NetDebt
1772	Cash at bank and in hand reclassified as held for sale (note 24)	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:CashReclassifiedAsHeldForSale
1773	Bank overdrafts reclassified as held for sale (note 25)	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:BankOverdraftsReclassifiedAsHeldForSale
1774	Group net debt excluding net debt reclassified as held for sale	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:NetDebtExcludingCashAndDebtReclassifiedAsHeldForSale
1775	Net fixed rate debt including derivatives	Concept (Percent)	As Of		crh:NetFixedRateDebtIncludingDerivativesInPercentage
1776	Gross debt including derivative financial instruments	Concept (Percent)	As Of		crh:GrossDebtIncludingDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsInPercentage
1777	Net fixed rate debt including derivatives	Concept (xbrli:durationItemType)	For Period		crh:NetFixedRateDebtIncludingDerivativesWeightedAverageFixedPeriod
1778	1156 - Disclosure - Analysis of Net Debt - Schedule of Effective Interest Rates on Period-End Fixed, Gross and Net Debt (Parenthetical) (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAnalysisOfNetDebtScheduleOfEffectiveInterestRatesOnPeriodEndFixedGrossAndNetDebtParentheticalParenthetical
1779	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1780	Disclosure Effective Interest Rates On Period End Fixed Gross And Net Debt [abstract]	Abstract			crh:DisclosureEffectiveInterestRatesOnPeriodEndFixedGrossAndNetDebtAbstract
1781	Nominal fixed rate debt hedged to floating rate using interest rate swaps	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:NominalFixedRateDebtAmountHedgedToFloatingRateUsingInterestRateSwaps
1782	1157 - Disclosure - Analysis of Net Debt - Schedule of Currency Profile of Net Debt and Net Worth Capital and Reserves Attributable to Company's Equity Holders (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAnalysisOfNetDebtScheduleOfCurrencyProfileOfNetDebtAndNetWorthCapitalAndReservesAttributableToCompanysEquityHolders
1783	Disclosure of Net Debt and Share Capital Reserves and Other Equity Interest [table]	Table	*	*	crh:DisclosureOfNetDebtAndShareCapitalReservesAndOtherEquityInterestTable
1784	Currency [Axis]	Axis			srt:CurrencyAxis
1785	All Currencies [Domain]	Member			currency:AllCurrenciesDomain
1786	Euro [member]	Member			currency:EUR
1787	US Dollar [member]	Member			currency:USD
1788	Pound Sterling [member]	Member			currency:GBP
1789	Canadian Dollar [member]	Member			currency:CAD
1790	Philippine Peso [member]	Member			currency:PHP
1791	Polish Zloty [member]	Member			currency:PLN
1792	Swiss Franc [Member]	Member			currency:CHF
1793	Other currencies [Member]	Member			crh:OtherCurrencyMember
1794	Assets and liabilities [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:AssetsAndLiabilitiesAxis
1795	Assets and liabilities [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AssetsAndLiabilitiesMember
1796	Currency profile [member]	Member			crh:CurrencyProfileMember
1797	Disclosure of Net Debt and Net Worth (Capital and Reserves Attributable to Company's Equity Holders) [line items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfNetDebtAndNetWorthCapitalAndReservesAttributableToCompanyEquityHoldersLineItems
1798	Cash and cash equivalents	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalents
1799	Interest-bearing loans and borrowings	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:Borrowings
1800	Derivative financial instruments (net)	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:DerivativeFinancialAssetsLiabilitiesNet
1801	Group net debt excluding net debt reclassified as held for sale	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:NetDebtExcludingCashAndDebtReclassifiedAsHeldForSale
1802	Non-debt assets and liabilities (including cash and bank overdrafts reclassified as held for sale) analysed as follows:	Abstract			crh:NonDebtAssetsAndLiabilitiesAnalysedAbstract
1803	Non-current assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:NoncurrentAssetsExcludingNetDebt
1804	Current assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:CurrentAssetsExcludingNetDebt
1805	Non-current liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:NoncurrentLiabilitiesExcludingNetDebt
1806	Current liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:CurrentLiabilitiesExcludingNetDebt
1807	Non-controlling interests	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NoncontrollingInterests
1808	Capital and reserves attributable to the Company's equity holders	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:EquityAttributableToOwnersOfParent
1809	1158 - Disclosure - Analysis of Net Debt - Schedule of Currency Profile of Net Debt and Net Worth Capital and Reserves Attributable to Company's Equity Holders (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAnalysisOfNetDebtScheduleOfCurrencyProfileOfNetDebtAndNetWorthCapitalAndReservesAttributableToCompanysEquityHoldersParenthetical
1810	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1811	Disclosure Of Net Debt And Share Capital Reserves And Other Equity Interest [abstract]	Abstract			crh:DisclosureOfNetDebtAndShareCapitalReservesAndOtherEquityInterestAbstract
1812	Cash reclassified as held for sale	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:CashReclassifiedAsHeldForSale
1813	Bank Overdraft reclassified as held for sale	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:BankOverdraftsReclassifiedAsHeldForSale
1814	1159 - Disclosure - Analysis of Net Debt - Schedule of Liquidity and Capital Resources Related to Cash Generation and Changes in Our Cash and Cash Equivalents Position (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAnalysisOfNetDebtScheduleOfLiquidityAndCapitalResourcesRelatedToCashGenerationAndChangesInOurCashAndCashEquivalentsPosition
1815	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1816	Disclosure Of Cash Generation And Changes In Our Cash And Cash Equivalents Position [abstract]	Abstract			crh:DisclosureOfCashGenerationAndChangesInOurCashAndCashEquivalentsPositionAbstract
1817	Net cash inflow from operating activities	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInOperatingActivities
1818	Net cash outflow from investing activities	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInInvestingActivities
1819	Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing activities	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInFinancingActivities
1820	Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseInCashAndCashEquivalentsBeforeEffectOfExchangeRateChanges
1821	Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalentsIfDifferentFromStatementOfFinancialPosition
1822	Effect of exchange rate changes	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:EffectOfExchangeRateChangesOnCashAndCashEquivalents
1823	Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalentsIfDifferentFromStatementOfFinancialPosition
1824	Bank overdrafts	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:BankOverdraftIncludedInLoansAndBorrowings
1825	Borrowings	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:BorrowingsExcludingBankOverdrafts
1826	Derivative financial instruments	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:DerivativeFinancialAssetsLiabilitiesNet
1827	Total liabilities from financing activities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:LiabilitiesArisingFromFinancingActivities
1828	Group net debt	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NetDebt
1829	Cash at bank and in hand reclassified as held for sale (note 24)	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:CashReclassifiedAsHeldForSale
1830	Bank overdrafts reclassified as held for sale (note 25)	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:BankOverdraftsReclassifiedAsHeldForSale
1831	Net debt excluding cash and debt reclassified as held for sale	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:NetDebtExcludingCashAndDebtReclassifiedAsHeldForSale
1832	1160 - Disclosure - Analysis of Net Debt - Additional Information (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAnalysisOfNetDebtAdditionalInformation
1833	Disclosure of Financial Assets and Liabilities [Table]	Table	*	*	crh:DisclosureOfFinancialAssetsAndLiabilitiesTable
1834	Currency [Axis]	Axis			srt:CurrencyAxis
1835	All Currencies [Domain]	Member			currency:AllCurrenciesDomain
1836	Euro [member]	Member			currency:EUR
1837	US Dollar [member]	Member			currency:USD
1838	Disclosure of Financial Assets and Liabilities [line items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfFinancialAssetsAndLiabilitiesLineItems
1839	Net cash inflow from operating activities	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInOperatingActivities
1840	Net cash outflow from financing activities	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInFinancingActivities
1841	Net cash outflow from investing activities	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInInvestingActivities
1842	Cash and cash equivalents	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalents
1843	Undrawn committed loan facilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:UndrawnBorrowingFacilities
1844	Percentage of total cash and cash equivalents	Concept (Percent)	For Period		crh:PercentageOfCashAndCashEquivalents
1845	1161 - Disclosure - Analysis of Net Debt - Schedule of Significant Borrowings (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAnalysisOfNetDebtScheduleOfSignificantBorrowings
1846	Disclosure of Significant Borrowings [Table]	Table	*	*	crh:DisclosureOfSignificantBorrowingsTable
1847	Borrowings by name [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:BorrowingsByNameAxis
1848	Borrowings by name [member]	Member			ifrs-full:BorrowingsByNameMember
1849	Pound Sterling bonds [member]	Member			crh:PoundSterlingBondsMember
1850	Swiss Franc Bonds [member]	Member			crh:SwissFrancBondsMember
1851	Euro Bonds [member]	Member			crh:EurobondsMember
1852	US Dollar Bonds [member]	Member			crh:USDollarBondsMember
1853	Maturity [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
1854	Aggregated time bands [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AggregatedTimeBandsMember
1855	Maturity year 2019 [member]	Member			crh:MaturityYearTwoThousandNineteenMember
1856	Maturity year 2020 [member]	Member			crh:MaturityYearTwoThousandTwentyMember
1857	Maturity year 2021 [member]	Member			crh:MaturityYearTwoThousandTwentyOneMember
1858	Maturity year 2023 [member]	Member			crh:MaturityYearTwoThousandTwentyThreeMember
1859	Maturity year 2024 [member]	Member			crh:MaturityYearTwoThousandTwentyFourMember
1860	Maturity year 2028 [member]	Member			crh:MaturityYearTwoThousandTwentyEightMember
1861	Maturity year 2025 [member]	Member			crh:MaturityYearTwoThousandTwentyFiveMember
1862	Maturity year 2027 [member]	Member			crh:MaturityYearTwoThousandTwentySevenMember
1863	Maturity year 2033 [member]	Member			crh:MaturityYearTwoThousandThirtyThreeMember
1864	Maturity year 2045 [member]	Member			crh:MaturityYearTwoThousandFortyFiveMember
1865	Maturity year 2047 [member]	Member			crh:MaturityYearTwoThousandFourtySevenMember
1866	Maturity year 2048 [member]	Member			crh:MaturityYearTwoThousandFortyEightMember
1867	Disclosure of Significant Borrowings [line items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfSignificantBorrowingsLineItems
1868	Annual coupons	Concept (Percent)	For Period		crh:BondsPayableCouponRate
1869	Outstanding	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:BondsPayable
1870	Final maturity	Concept (Year)	For Period		crh:BondMaturityYear
1871	1162 - Disclosure - Analysis of Net Debt - Schedule of Significant Borrowings (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAnalysisOfNetDebtScheduleOfSignificantBorrowingsParenthetical
1872	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1873	Disclosure Of Significant Borrowings [abstract]	Abstract			crh:DisclosureOfSignificantBorrowingsAbstract
1874	Bonds issued	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:BondsIssued
1875	Bonds acquired	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:BondsAcquired
1876	Bonds acquired description	Concept (Text/String)	For Period		crh:BondsAcquiredDescription
1877	Remaining fair value of hedged item on consolidated balance sheet	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:RemainingFairValueOnTheHedgedItemOnTheBalanceSheetAtYearEnd
1878	1163 - Disclosure - Capital and Financial Risk Management - Summary of Net Debt and Capital Reserves (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCapitalAndFinancialRiskManagementSummaryOfNetDebtAndCapitalReserves
1879	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1880	Disclosure Of Capital And Net Debt [abstract]	Abstract			crh:DisclosureOfCapitalAndNetDebtAbstract
1881	Capital and reserves attributable to the Company's equity holders	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:EquityAttributableToOwnersOfParent
1882	Net debt	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NetDebt
1883	Capital and net debt	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:CapitalAndNetDebt
1884	1164 - Disclosure - Capital and Financial Risk Management - Additional Information (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCapitalAndFinancialRiskManagementAdditionalInformation
1885	Disclosure of credit risk exposure [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfCreditRiskExposureTable
1886	Types of risks [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksAxis
1887	Risks [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksMember
1888	Credit risk [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CreditRiskMember
1889	Commodity price risk [Member]	Member			ifrs-full:CommodityPriceRiskMember
1890	Liquidity risk [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LiquidityRiskMember
1891	Interest rate risk [member]	Member			ifrs-full:InterestRateRiskMember
1892	Foreign currency risk [Member]	Member			crh:ForeignCurrencyRiskMember
1893	Classes of financial assets [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
1894	Financial assets, class [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsMember
1895	Trade receivables [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TradeReceivablesMember
1896	Borrowings by name [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:BorrowingsByNameAxis
1897	Borrowings by name [member]	Member			ifrs-full:BorrowingsByNameMember
1898	Euro Commercial Paper Programme [member]	Member			crh:EuroCommercialPaperProgrammeMember
1899	US Dollar Commercial Paper Programme [member]	Member			crh:USDollarCommercialPaperProgrammeMember
1900	Types of hedges [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfHedgesAxis
1901	Hedges [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TypesOfHedgesMember
1902	Net Investment Hedges [member]	Member			ifrs-full:HedgesOfNetInvestmentInForeignOperationsMember
1903	Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfCreditRiskExposureLineItems
1904	Dividend coverage	Concept (Pure)	For Period		crh:DividendCoverageRatio
1905	Hedge ratio	Concept (Percent)	For Period		crh:HedgeRatio
1906	Notional amount	Concept (Monetary)	As Of		ifrs-full:NotionalAmount
1907	Bad debt provision as percentage of gross trade receivables	Concept (Percent)	As Of		crh:BadDebtProvisionPercentageOfGrossTradeReceivables
1908	Euro Medium-Term Notes Programme	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:EuroMediumTermNotesProgramme
1909	Commercial paper programme in place which is available for issue	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:CommercialPaperProgrammeAvailableForIssue
1910	1165 - Disclosure - Capital and Financial Risk Management - Summary of Interest Rate Risk (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCapitalAndFinancialRiskManagementSummaryOfInterestRateRisk
1911	Disclosure of Interest Rate Risk [Table]	Table	*	*	crh:DisclosureOfInterestRateRiskTable
1912	Types of risks [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksAxis
1913	Risks [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksMember
1914	Interest rate risk [member]	Member			ifrs-full:InterestRateRiskMember
1915	Disclosure of interest rate risk [Line Items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfInterestRateRiskLineItems
1916	Impact on profit before tax (+1%)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:OnePercentIncreaseOfInterestRateOnImpactOnProfitBeforeTax
1917	Impact on profit before tax (-1%)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:OnePercentDecreaseOfInterestRateOnImpactOnProfitBeforeTax
1918	Impact on total equity ( 1%)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:OnePercentIncreaseOfInterestRateOnImpactOnEquity
1919	Impact on total equity (-1%)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:OnePercentDecreaseOfInterestRateOnImpactOnEquity
1920	1166 - Disclosure - Capital and Financial Risk Management - Summary of Foreign Currency Risk (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCapitalAndFinancialRiskManagementSummaryOfForeignCurrencyRisk
1921	Disclosure Of Foreign Currency Risk [table]	Table	*	*	crh:DisclosureOfForeignCurrencyRiskTable
1922	Types of risks [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksAxis
1923	Risks [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksMember
1924	Foreign currency risk [Member]	Member			crh:ForeignCurrencyRiskMember
1925	Disclosure of foreign currency risk [Line Items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfForeignCurrencyRiskLineItems
1926	Impact on profit before tax (+5 %)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:FivePercentIncreaseOfExchangeRateOnImpactOnProfitBeforeTax
1927	Impact on profit before tax (-5 %)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:FivePercentDecreaseOfExchangeRateOnImpactOnProfitBeforeTax
1928	Impact on total equity (+5 %)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:FivePercentIncreaseOfExchangeRateOnImpactOnEquity
1929	Impact on total equity (-5 %)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:FivePercentDecreaseOfExchangeRateOnImpactOnEquity
1930	Impact on financial instruments (+5%)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:FivePercentIncreaseOfExchangeRateIncludedInEquityImpactOnFinancialInstruments
1931	Impact on financial instruments (-5%)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:FivePercentDecreaseOfExchangeRateIncludedEquityImpactOnFinancialInstruments
1932	1167 - Disclosure - Capital and Financial Risk Management - Summary of Notional and Fair Values in Respect of Derivative Contracts (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCapitalAndFinancialRiskManagementSummaryOfNotionalAndFairValuesInRespectOfDerivativeContracts
1933	Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
1934	Classes of financial assets [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
1935	Financial assets, class [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsMember
1936	Commodity contracts [member]	Member			crh:CommodityContractsMember
1937	Derivative (liability)/asset [member]	Member			crh:DerivativeFinancialLiabilitiesAssetsMember
1938	Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
1939	Notional value	Concept (Monetary)	As Of		ifrs-full:NotionalAmount
1940	Fair value	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:DerivativeFairValueAmount
1941	1168 - Disclosure - Capital and Financial Risk Management - Summary of Maturity Analysis for Derivative Financial Instruments (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCapitalAndFinancialRiskManagementSummaryOfMaturityAnalysisForDerivativeFinancialInstruments
1942	Disclosure of Maturity Analysis for Derivative Financial Instruments [Table]	Table	*	*	crh:DisclosureOfMaturityAnalysisForDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsTable
1943	Maturity [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
1944	Aggregated time bands [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AggregatedTimeBandsMember
1945	Within 1 year [member]	Member			ifrs-full:NotLaterThanOneYearMember
1946	Between1 and 2 years [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanOneYearAndNotLaterThanTwoYearsMember
1947	Between 2 and 3 years [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanTwoYearsAndNotLaterThanThreeYearsMember
1948	Between 3 and 4 years [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanThreeYearsAndNotLaterThanFourYearsMember
1949	Between 4 and 5 years [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanFourYearsAndNotLaterThanFiveYearsMember
1950	After 5 years [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanFiveYearsMember
1951	Disclosure of Maturity Analysis for Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfMaturityAnalysisForDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
1952	Financial liabilities - cash outflows	Abstract			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfMaturityAnalysisForNonderivativeFinancialLiabilitiesAbstract
1953	Trade and other payables	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherPayablesUndiscountedCashFlows
1954	Finance leases	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:GrossFinanceLeaseObligations
1955	Other interest-bearing loans and borrowings	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:OtherInterestBearingLoansAndBorrowingsCashOutflows
1956	Interest payments on finance leases	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:InterestPaymentsOnFinanceLeasesCashOutflows
1957	Interest payments on other interest-bearing loans and borrowings (i)	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:InterestPaymentsOnOtherInterestbearingLoansAndBorrowings
1958	Cross-currency swaps - gross cash outflows	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:ContractualAmountsToBeExchangedInDerivativeFinancialInstrumentForWhichGrossCashFlowsAreExchanged
1959	Other derivative financial instruments	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:OtherDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsCashOutFlow
1960	Gross projected cash outflows	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NonderivativeFinancialLiabilitiesUndiscountedCashFlows
1961	Derivative financial instruments - cash inflows	Abstract			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfMaturityAnalysisForDerivativeFinancialLiabilitiesAbstract
1962	Interest rate swaps - net cash inflows (ii)	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NetAmountsForPayfloatingReceivefixedInterestRateSwapsForWhichNetCashFlowsAreExchanged
1963	Cross-currency swaps - gross cash inflows	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:CrossCurrencySwapsGrossCashInflows
1964	Other derivative financial instruments	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:OtherDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsCashInFlow
1965	Gross projected cash inflows	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:GrossProjectedCashInflows
1966	1169 - Disclosure - Cash and Cash Equivalents - Summary of Cash and Cash Equivalents (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCashAndCashEquivalentsSummaryOfCashAndCashEquivalents
1967	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1968	Cash and cash equivalents [abstract]	Abstract			ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalentsAbstract
1969	Cash at bank and in hand	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:Cash
1970	Investments (short-term deposits)	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:ShorttermDepositsClassifiedAsCashEquivalents
1971	Total	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalents
1972	1170 - Disclosure - Cash and Cash Equivalents - Summary of Cash and Cash Equivalents at Fair Value (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCashAndCashEquivalentsSummaryOfCashAndCashEquivalentsAtFairValue
1973	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1974	Cash and cash equivalents [abstract]	Abstract			ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalentsAbstract
1975	Cash at bank and in hand	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:Cash
1976	Investments (short-term deposits)	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:ShorttermDepositsClassifiedAsCashEquivalents
1977	Cash at bank and in hand reclassified as held for sale	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalentsClassifiedAsPartOfDisposalGroupHeldForSale
1978	Total	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalentsIfDifferentFromStatementOfFinancialPosition
1979	1171 - Disclosure - Interest-bearing Loans and Borrowings - Summary of Loans and Borrowings Outstanding (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInterestbearingLoansAndBorrowingsSummaryOfLoansAndBorrowingsOutstanding
1980	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1981	Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [abstract]	Abstract			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutBorrowingsAbstract
1982	Bank overdrafts	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:BankOverdrafts1
1983	Bank loans	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:LoansReceived
1984	Finance leases	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:FinanceLeaseLiabilities
1985	Bonds	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:BondsIssued
1986	Other	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherBorrowings
1987	Interest-bearing loans and borrowings	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:InterestBearingLoansAndBorrowings
1988	Bank overdrafts reclassified as held for sale	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:BankOverdraftsWithinBorrowingsReclassifiedAsHeldForSale
1989	Total	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:Borrowings
1990	1172 - Disclosure - Interest Bearing Loans and Borrowings - Additional Information (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInterestBearingLoansAndBorrowingsAdditionalInformation
1991	Disclosure of Detailed Information about Borrowings [Table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutBorrowingsTable
1992	Borrowings by name [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:BorrowingsByNameAxis
1993	Borrowings by name [member]	Member			ifrs-full:BorrowingsByNameMember
1994	Interest bearing loans and borrowings [member]	Member			crh:InterestBearingLoansAndBorrowingsMember
1995	Letters of guarantee [member]	Member			crh:LettersOfGuaranteeMember
1996	Syndicate facility [member]	Member			crh:SyndicateFacilityMember
1997	Classes of assets [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsAxis
1998	Assets [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsMember
1999	Property, plant and equipment [member]	Member			ifrs-full:PropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember
2000	Classes of financial assets [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
2001	Financial assets, class [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsMember
2002	Loans bank advances derivative obligations and future lease obligations [member]	Member			crh:LoansBankAdvancesDerivativeObligationsAndFutureLeaseObligationsMember
2003	Letters of credit [member]	Member			crh:LettersOfCreditMember
2004	Disclosure of Detailed Information about Borrowings [Line Items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutBorrowingsLineItems
2005	Loans received	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:LoansReceived
2006	Options exercised to extend	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:UndrawnBorrowingFacilities
2007	Borrowings	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:Borrowings
2008	Period revolving committed bank facilities be available	Concept (xbrli:durationItemType)	For Period		crh:MaximumPeriodRevolvingCommittedBankFacilitiesBeAvailableFromDateOfInception
2009	Minimum interest cover	Concept (Pure)	For Period		crh:MinimumInterestCover
2010	Minimum interest coverage ratio	Concept (Pure)	For Period		crh:MinimumInterestCoverageRatio
2011	Minimum net worth	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:MinimumNetWorth
2012	Net worth	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:NetWorth
2013	1173 - Disclosure - Interest-bearing Loans and Borrowings - Summary of Maturity Profile for Loans, Borrowings and Undrawn Committed Facilities (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInterestbearingLoansAndBorrowingsSummaryOfMaturityProfileForLoansBorrowingsAndUndrawnCommittedFacilities
2014	Disclosure of Detailed Information about Borrowings [Table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutBorrowingsTable
2015	Maturity [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
2016	Aggregated time bands [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AggregatedTimeBandsMember
2017	Within 1 year [member]	Member			ifrs-full:NotLaterThanOneYearMember
2018	Between1 and 2 years [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanOneYearAndNotLaterThanTwoYearsMember
2019	Between 2 and 3 years [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanTwoYearsAndNotLaterThanThreeYearsMember
2020	Between 3 and 4 years [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanThreeYearsAndNotLaterThanFourYearsMember
2021	Between 4 and 5 years [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanFourYearsAndNotLaterThanFiveYearsMember
2022	After 5 years [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanFiveYearsMember
2023	Total excluding amounts reclassified as held for sale [member]	Member			crh:TotalExcludingAmountsReclassifiedAsHeldForSaleMember
2024	Bank overdrafts reclassified as held for sale [member]	Member			crh:BankOverdraftsReclassifiedAsHeldForSaleMember
2025	Disclosure of Detailed Information about Borrowings [Line Items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutBorrowingsLineItems
2026	Loans and borrowings	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:Borrowings
2027	Undrawn committed facilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:UndrawnBorrowingFacilities
2028	1174 - Disclosure - Derivative Financial Instruments - Summary of Derivative Financial Instruments Analysed by Year of Maturity and Accounting Designation (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsSummaryOfDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAnalysedByYearOfMaturityAndAccountingDesignation
2029	Disclosure of detailed information about hedging instruments [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutHedgingInstrumentsTable
2030	Maturity [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
2031	Aggregated time bands [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AggregatedTimeBandsMember
2032	Within 1 year [member]	Member			ifrs-full:NotLaterThanOneYearMember
2033	Between1 and 2 years [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanOneYearAndNotLaterThanTwoYearsMember
2034	Between 2 and 3 years [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanTwoYearsAndNotLaterThanThreeYearsMember
2035	Between 4 and 5 years [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanFourYearsAndNotLaterThanFiveYearsMember
2036	After 5 years [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanFiveYearsMember
2037	Types of hedges [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfHedgesAxis
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2039	Fair Value Hedges [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FairValueHedgesMember
2040	Cash Flow Hedges [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CashFlowHedgesMember
2041	Net Investment Hedges [member]	Member			ifrs-full:HedgesOfNetInvestmentInForeignOperationsMember
2042	Hedging instruments [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:HedgingInstrumentsAxis
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2171	Net defined benefit liability (asset) [member]	Member			ifrs-full:NetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetMember
2172	Defined contribution pension liabilities [member]	Member			crh:DefinedContributionPensionLiabilitiesMember
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2190	Employer contributions payable including estimated minimum funding payments	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:EstimateOfContributionsExpectedToBePaidToPlan
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2203	Medical cost trend rate	Concept (Percent)	As Of		ifrs-full:ActuarialAssumptionOfMedicalCostTrendRates
2204	1186 - Disclosure - Retirement Benefit Obligations - Summary of Future Life Expectations Based on Retirement at 65 years of Age for Current and Future Retirees (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRetirementBenefitObligationsSummaryOfFutureLifeExpectationsBasedOnRetirementAt65YearsOfAgeForCurrentAndFutureRetirees
2205	Disclosure of Net Defined Benefit Liability (Asset) [Table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetTable
2206	Geographical areas [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasAxis
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2211	Actuarial assumptions [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ActuarialAssumptionsAxis
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2244	Disclosure of Net Defined Benefit Liability (Asset) [Line Items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetLineItems
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2485	Number of shares appropriated to participation schemes	Concept (Shares)	As Of		crh:NumberOfOrdinarySharesAppropriatedToParticipationSchemes
2486	Number of shares satisfied by issue of new shares	Concept (Shares)	For Period		crh:NumberOfAppropriatedOrdinarySharesSatisfiedByNewIssuesShareParticipationSchemes
2487	Number of shares satisfied by reissue of treasury shares	Concept (Shares)	For Period		crh:NumberOfAppropriatedOrdinarySharesSatisfiedReissueOfTreasuryShares
2488	Fixed cumulative preference dividend rate	Concept (Percent)	For Period		crh:FixedCumulativePreferenceDividendRateOnCumulativePreferenceShares
2489	Percentage of shares representing in total issued share capital	Concept (Percent)	As Of		crh:PercentageOfTotalIssuedShareCapital
2490	Cumulative preference shares dividend payable, description	Concept (Text/String)	For Period		crh:CumulativePreferenceDividendsPayableDescription
2491	1207 - Disclosure - Share Capital and Reserves - Summary of Number of Shares (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareCapitalAndReservesSummaryOfNumberOfShares
2492	Disclosure of classes of share capital [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfClassesOfShareCapitalTable
2493	Classes of share capital [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalAxis
2494	Share capital [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalMember
2495	Satisfied by issue of new shares [member]	Member			crh:SatisfiedByIssueOfNewSharesMember
2496	Components of equity [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ComponentsOfEquityAxis
2497	Equity [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EquityMember
2498	Satisfied by reissue of treasury shares [member]	Member			crh:SatisfiedByReissueOfTreasurySharesMember
2499	Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfClassesOfShareCapitalLineItems
2500	Options exercised during the year	Concept (Decimal)	For Period		ifrs-full:NumberOfShareOptionsExercisedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
2501	1208 - Disclosure - Share Capital and Reserves - Summary of Preference Share Capital (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareCapitalAndReservesSummaryOfPreferenceShareCapital
2502	Disclosure of classes of share capital [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfClassesOfShareCapitalTable
2503	Classes of share capital [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalAxis
2504	Share capital [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalMember
2505	5% Cumulative preference shares [member]	Member			crh:FivePercentageCumulativePreferenceSharesMember
2506	7% 'A' cumulative preference shares [member]	Member			crh:SevenPercentageACumulativePreferenceSharesMember
2507	Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfClassesOfShareCapitalLineItems
2508	Authorised	Abstract			crh:DisclosureOfAuthorizedShareCapitalAbstract
2509	Number of shares authorised, beginning balance	Concept (Shares)	As Of		ifrs-full:NumberOfSharesAuthorised
2510	Number of shares authorised, ending balance	Concept (Shares)	As Of		ifrs-full:NumberOfSharesAuthorised
2511	Authorised preference share capital, beginning balance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:AuthorizedPreferenceShareCapital
2512	Authorised preference share capital, ending balance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:AuthorizedPreferenceShareCapital
2513	Allotted, called-up and fully paid	Abstract			crh:DisclosureOfAllottedCalledUpAndFullyPaidCapitalAbstract
2514	Allotted, called-up and fully paid shares, beginning balance	Concept (Shares)	As Of		crh:NumberOfSharesAllottedCalledUpAndFullyPaid
2515	Allotted, called-up and fully paid shares, ending balance	Concept (Shares)	As Of		crh:NumberOfSharesAllottedCalledUpAndFullyPaid
2516	Allotted, called-up and fully paid, beginning balance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:AllottedCalledUpAndFullyPaidCapital
2517	Allotted, called-up and fully paid, ending balance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:AllottedCalledUpAndFullyPaidCapital
2518	1209 - Disclosure - Share Capital and Reserves - Summary of Preference Share Capital (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareCapitalAndReservesSummaryOfPreferenceShareCapitalParenthetical
2519	Disclosure of classes of share capital [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfClassesOfShareCapitalTable
2520	Classes of share capital [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalAxis
2521	Share capital [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalMember
2522	5% Cumulative preference shares [member]	Member			crh:FivePercentageCumulativePreferenceSharesMember
2523	7% 'A' cumulative preference shares [member]	Member			crh:SevenPercentageACumulativePreferenceSharesMember
2524	Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfClassesOfShareCapitalLineItems
2525	Par value per share	Concept (Share)	As Of		ifrs-full:ParValuePerShare
2526	Interest rate of cumulative preference shares	Concept (Percent)	For Period		crh:FixedCumulativePreferenceDividendRateOnCumulativePreferenceShares
2527	1210 - Disclosure - Share Capital and Reserves - Summary of Treasury Shares (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareCapitalAndReservesSummaryOfTreasuryShares
2528	Disclosure of Capital and Reserve [table]	Table	*	*	crh:DisclosureOfCapitalAndReserveTable
2529	Types of share-based payment arrangements [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsAxis
2530	Share-based payment arrangements [member]	Member			ifrs-full:SharebasedPaymentArrangementsMember
2531	2014 Performance Share Plan [member]	Member			crh:TwoThousandFourteenPerformanceSharePlanMember
2532	Components of equity [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ComponentsOfEquityAxis
2533	Equity [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EquityMember
2534	Treasury Shares/Own Shares [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TreasurySharesMember
2535	Disclosure of Treasury Shares and Own Shares [Line Items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfTreasurySharesAndOwnSharesLineItems
2536	Beginning balance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:TreasuryShares
2537	New shares allotted to the Employee Benefit Trust (own shares)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:NewSharesAllottedToTheEmployeeBenefitTrustOwnShares
2538	Own shares released by the Employee Benefit Trust under the 2014 Performance Share Plan	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:OwnSharesReleasedByEmployeeBenefitTrust
2539	Shares acquired by CRH plc (Treasury Shares) (i)(ii)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:TreasurySharesAcquiredAmount
2540	Shares acquired by Employee Benefit Trust (own shares)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:SharesAcquiredByEmployeeBenefitTrust
2541	Treasury Shares/own shares reissued	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:ReissueOfTreasuryShareAndOwnShares
2542	Ending balance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:TreasuryShares
2543	Shares outstanding, beginning balance	Concept (Shares)	As Of		ifrs-full:NumberOfSharesOutstanding
2544	New shares allotted to the Employee Benefit Trust (own shares)	Concept (Shares)	For Period		crh:NewSharesAllottedToTheEmployeeBenefitTrustOwnSharesShares
2545	Own shares released by the Employee Benefit Trust under the 2014 Performance Share Plan	Concept (Shares)	For Period		crh:OwnSharesReleasedByEmployeeBenefitTrustShares
2546	Shares acquired by CRH plc (Treasury Shares) (i) (ii)	Concept (Shares)	For Period		crh:NumberOfSharesRepurchasedByEntity
2547	Shares acquired by Employee Benefit Trust (own shares)	Concept (Shares)	For Period		crh:SharesAcquiredByEmployeeBenefitTrustShares
2548	Treasury Shares/own shares reissued (iii)	Concept (Shares)	For Period		crh:ReissueOfTreasuryShareAndOwnSharesShares
2549	Shares outstanding, ending balance	Concept (Shares)	As Of		ifrs-full:NumberOfSharesOutstanding
2550	Treasury Shares	Concept (Shares)	As Of		crh:TreasurySharesHeld
2551	Own shares	Concept (Shares)	As Of		ifrs-full:SharesInEntityHeldByEntityOrByItsSubsidiariesOrAssociates
2552	1211 - Disclosure - Share Capital and Reserves - Summary of Treasury Shares (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareCapitalAndReservesSummaryOfTreasurySharesParenthetical
2553	Disclosure of Capital and Reserve [table]	Table	*	*	crh:DisclosureOfCapitalAndReserveTable
2554	Categories of related parties [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CategoriesOfRelatedPartiesAxis
2555	Entity's total for related parties [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForRelatedPartiesMember
2556	UBS AG London Branch [member]	Member			crh:UBSAGLondonBranchMember
2557	Classes of share capital [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalAxis
2558	Share capital [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalMember
2559	Share repurchase programme [member]	Member			crh:ShareRepurchaseProgrammeMember
2560	Non-adjusting events after reporting period [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:NonadjustingEventsAfterReportingPeriodAxis
2561	Non-adjusting events after reporting period [member]	Member			ifrs-full:NonadjustingEventsMember
2562	Events after reporting period [member]	Member			crh:EventsAfterReportingPeriodMember
2563	Range [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:RangeAxis
2564	Ranges [member]	Member			ifrs-full:RangesMember
2565	Maximum [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TopOfRangeMember
2566	Disclosure of Treasury Shares and Own Shares [Line Items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfTreasurySharesAndOwnSharesLineItems
2567	Amount under share repurchase programme	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:AnnouncedItsIntentionToRepurchaseOrdinarySharesIncludingIncomeShares
2568	Cost of shares repurchased	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:ShareRepurchaseProgrammeCost
2569	Cost of additonal shares authorized to be repurchased	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:CommencedPhase4OfProgrammeCostOfAdditionalSharesToBeRepurchasedUnderPhaseOfProgramme
2570	Average price of the treasury shares reissued	Concept (Share)	For Period		crh:AveragePriceOfTreasurySharesReissued
2571	Total number of own shares held, nominal value	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:NominalValueOfOwnShares
2572	Total number of Treasury Shares held, nominal value	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:NominalValueOfTreasuryShares
2573	1212 - Disclosure - Share Capital and Reserves - Summary of Reconciliation of Shares Issued to Net Proceeds (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareCapitalAndReservesSummaryOfReconciliationOfSharesIssuedToNetProceeds
2574	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
2575	Reconciliation Of Shares Issued To Net Proceeds [abstract]	Abstract			crh:ReconciliationOfSharesIssuedToNetProceedsAbstract
2576	Shares issued at nominal amount:	Abstract			crh:SharesIssuedAtNominalAmountAbstract
2577	- Performance Share Plan Awards	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:ProceedsFromSharesIssuedAtNominalAmountPerformanceSharePlanAwards
2578	- scrip shares issued in lieu of cash dividends	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:ProceedsFromScripSharesIssuedInLieuOfCashDividendsAtNominalValue
2579	- share options and share participation schemes	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:ProceedsFromShareOptionsAndShareParticipationSchemesSharesIssuedAtNominalAmount
2580	Premium on shares issued	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:ProceedsFromPremiumSharesIssued
2581	Total value of shares issued	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:ProceedsFromSharesIssuedValue
2582	Issue of scrip shares in lieu of cash dividends (note 13)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:IssueOfScripSharesInLieuOfCashDividends
2583	Shares allotted to the Employee Benefit Trust	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:SharesIssuedOrAllottedToEmployeeBenefitTrust
2584	Net proceeds from issue of shares	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ProceedsFromIssuingShares
2585	1213 - Disclosure - Share Capital and Reserves - Summary of Reconciliation of Shares Issued to Net Proceeds (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareCapitalAndReservesSummaryOfReconciliationOfSharesIssuedToNetProceedsParenthetical
2586	Reconciliation Of Shares Issued To Net Proceeds [table]	Table	*	*	crh:ReconciliationOfSharesIssuedToNetProceedsTable
2587	Types of share-based payment arrangements [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsAxis
2588	Share-based payment arrangements [member]	Member			ifrs-full:SharebasedPaymentArrangementsMember
2589	2014 Performance Share Plan [member]	Member			crh:TwoThousandFourteenPerformanceSharePlanMember
2590	Reconciliation of Shares Issued to Net Proceeds [line items]	LineItems			crh:ReconciliationOfSharesIssuedToNetProceedsLineItems
2591	Increase in nominal share capital and share premium	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:IncreaseInNominalShareCapitalAndSharePremium
2592	1214 - Disclosure - Share Capital and Reserves - Summary of Share Premium (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareCapitalAndReservesSummaryOfSharePremium
2593	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
2594	Share Premium [abstract]	Abstract			crh:SharePremiumAbstract
2595	At 1 January	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:SharePremium
2596	Premium arising on shares issued	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:PremiumOnSharesIssued
2597	At 31 December	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:SharePremium
2598	1215 - Disclosure - Business Combinations - Additional Information (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBusinessCombinationsAdditionalInformation
2599	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
2600	Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [abstract]	Abstract			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfBusinessCombinationsAbstract
2601	Stakeholder's percentage in the entity	Concept (Percent)	As Of		ifrs-full:PercentageOfVotingEquityInterestsAcquired
2602	1216 - Disclosure - Business Combinations - Summary of Identifiable Net Assets Acquired, Including Adjustments to Provisional Fair Values (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBusinessCombinationsSummaryOfIdentifiableNetAssetsAcquiredIncludingAdjustmentsToProvisionalFairValues
2603	Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfBusinessCombinationsTable
2604	Business combinations [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:BusinessCombinationsAxis
2605	Entity's total for business combinations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForBusinessCombinationsMember
2606	Ash Grove Cement Company [member]	Member			crh:AshGroveCementCompanyMember
2607	Other acquisitions [member]	Member			crh:OtherAcquisitionsMember
2608	Business combinations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:BusinessCombinationsMember
2609	Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfBusinessCombinationsLineItems
2610	ASSETS	Abstract			crh:AssetsRecognisedAsOfAcquisitionDateAbstract
2611	Non-current assets	Abstract			crh:NoncurrentAssetsRecognisedAsOfAcquisitionDateAbstract
2612	Property, plant and equipment	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:PropertyPlantAndEquipmentRecognisedAsOfAcquisitionDate
2613	Intangible assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:IdentifiableIntangibleAssetsRecognisedAsOfAcquisitionDate
2614	Equity accounted investments	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:EquityAccountedInvestmentsRecognisedAsOfAcquisitionDate
2615	Total non-current assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentAssetsRecognisedAsOfAcquisitionDate
2616	Current assets	Abstract			crh:CurrentAssetsRecognisedAsOfAcquisitionDateAbstract
2617	Inventories	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:InventoryRecognisedAsOfAcquisitionDate
2618	Trade and other receivables (i)	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:TradeAndOtherReceivablesRecognisedAsOfAcquisitionDate
2619	Cash and cash equivalents	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalentsRecognisedAsOfAcquisitionDate
2620	Total current assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CurrentAssetsRecognisedAsOfAcquisitionDate
2621	LIABILITIES	Abstract			crh:LiabilitiesRecognisedAsOfAcquisitionDateAbstract
2622	Trade and other payables	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherPayablesRecognisedAsOfAcquisitionDate
2623	Provisions for liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:ProvisionsForAssetsLiabilitiesRecognisedAsOfAcquisitionDate
2624	Retirement benefit obligations	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:RetirementBenefitObligationsRecognisedAsOfAcquisitionDate
2625	Interest-bearing loans and borrowings and finance leases	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:BorrowingsRecognisedAsOfAcquisitionDate
2626	Current income tax liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:IncomeTaxReceivableAndPayableRecognisedAsOfAcquisitionDate
2627	Deferred income tax liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:DeferredTaxLiabilitiesRecognisedAsOfAcquisitionDate
2628	Total liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:TotalLiabilitiesRecognisedAsOfAcquisitionDate
2629	Total identifiable net assets at fair value	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:IdentifiableAssetsAcquiredLiabilitiesAssumed
2630	Goodwill arising on acquisition (ii)	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:Goodwill
2631	Joint ventures becoming subsidiaries	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:JointVenturesBecomingSubsidiariesAtAcquisitionDate
2632	Non-controlling interests*	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NoncontrollingInterestInAcquireeRecognisedAtAcquisitionDate
2633	Total consideration	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:AcquisitiondateFairValueOfTotalConsiderationTransferred
2634	Consideration satisfied by:	Abstract			ifrs-full:AcquisitiondateFairValueOfTotalConsiderationTransferredAbstract
2635	Cash payments	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:CashTransferred
2636	Asset exchange	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherTangibleOrIntangibleAssetsTransferred
2637	Deferred consideration (stated at net present cost)	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:ConsiderationSatisfiedByDeferredConsideration
2638	Contingent consideration (iii)	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:ConsiderationSatisfiedByContingentConsideration
2639	Profit on step acquisition (iv)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:ProfitOnStepAcquisition
2640	Total consideration	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:AcquisitiondateFairValueOfTotalConsiderationTransferred
2641	Net cash outflow arising on acquisition	Abstract			crh:NetCashOutflowArisingOnAcquisitionAbstract
2642	Cash consideration	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:CashTransferred
2643	Less: cash and cash equivalents acquired	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalentsRecognisedAsOfAcquisitionDate
2644	Total outflow in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:CashFlowsUsedInObtainingControlOfSubsidiariesOrOtherBusinessesClassifiedAsInvestingActivities
2645	1217 - Disclosure - Business Combinations - Summary of Trade and Other Receivables (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBusinessCombinationsSummaryOfTradeAndOtherReceivables
2646	Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfBusinessCombinationsTable
2647	Business combinations [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:BusinessCombinationsAxis
2648	Entity's total for business combinations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForBusinessCombinationsMember
2649	Ash Grove Cement Company [member]	Member			crh:AshGroveCementCompanyMember
2650	Other acquisitions [member]	Member			crh:OtherAcquisitionsMember
2651	Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfBusinessCombinationsLineItems
2652	Gross contractual amounts due	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:GrossContractualValueOfTradeAndOtherReceivablesRecognisedAsOfAcquisitionDate
2653	Loss allowance on receivables	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	crh:LossAllowanceOfAcquiredReceivables
2654	Fair value of trade and other receivables as at the respective dates of acquisition	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:FairValueOfAcquiredReceivables
2655	1218 - Disclosure - Business Combinations - Summary of Identifiable Net Assets Acquired, Including Adjustments to Provisional Fair Values (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBusinessCombinationsSummaryOfIdentifiableNetAssetsAcquiredIncludingAdjustmentsToProvisionalFairValuesParenthetical
2656	Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfBusinessCombinationsTable
2657	Business combinations [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:BusinessCombinationsAxis
2658	Entity's total for business combinations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForBusinessCombinationsMember
2659	Business combinations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:BusinessCombinationsMember
2660	American Cement Company, LLC [member]	Member			crh:AmericanCementCompanyLlcMember
2661	Range [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:RangeAxis
2662	Ranges [member]	Member			ifrs-full:RangesMember
2663	Minimum [member]	Member			ifrs-full:BottomOfRangeMember
2664	Maximum [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TopOfRangeMember
2665	Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfBusinessCombinationsLineItems
2666	Goodwill expected to be deducted for tax purposes	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:GoodwillExpectedDeductibleForTaxPurposes
2667	(iii) The fair value of contingent consideration of �93 million is arrived at	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:FairValueOfContingentConsideration
2668	from �136 million to �206 million. This is based on a range of estimated	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:UndiscountedFuturePaymentsOnCurrentYearAcquisitions
2669	Gain recognised from remeasuring equity interest acquired	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:GainRecognisedFromRemeasuringEquityInterestAcquired
2670	Percentage of equity interest acquired	Concept (Percent)	As Of		ifrs-full:PercentageOfVotingEquityInterestsAcquired
2671	Acquisition date fair value	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:AcquisitiondateFairValueOfTotalConsiderationTransferred
2672	1219 - Disclosure - Business Combinations - Summary of Acquisition-Related Costs (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBusinessCombinationsSummaryOfAcquisitionRelatedCosts
2673	Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfBusinessCombinationsTable
2674	Business combinations [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:BusinessCombinationsAxis
2675	Entity's total for business combinations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForBusinessCombinationsMember
2676	Ash Grove Cement Company [member]	Member			crh:AshGroveCementCompanyMember
2677	Other acquisitions [member]	Member			crh:OtherAcquisitionsMember
2678	Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfBusinessCombinationsLineItems
2679	Acquisition- related costs	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AcquisitionrelatedCostsRecognisedAsExpenseForTransactionRecognisedSeparatelyFromAcquisitionOfAssetsAndAssumptionOfLiabilitiesInBusinessCombination
2680	1220 - Disclosure - Business Combinations - Summary of Number of Acquisitions Completed and Details of Goodwill and Consideration (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBusinessCombinationsSummaryOfNumberOfAcquisitionsCompletedAndDetailsOfGoodwillAndConsideration
2681	Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfBusinessCombinationsTable
2682	Business combinations [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:BusinessCombinationsAxis
2683	Entity's total for business combinations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForBusinessCombinationsMember
2684	Business combinations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:BusinessCombinationsMember
2685	Products and services [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ProductsAndServicesAxis
2686	Products and services [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ProductsAndServicesMember
2687	Europe Heavyside [member]	Member			crh:EuropeHeavysideMember
2688	Europe Lightside [member]	Member			crh:EuropeLightsideMember
2689	Europe Distribution [member]	Member			crh:EuropeDistributionMember
2690	Americas Materials [member]	Member			crh:AmericasMaterialsMember
2691	Americas Products [member]	Member			crh:AmericasProductsMember
2692	Geographical areas [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasAxis
2693	Geographical areas [member]	Member			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasMember
2694	Europe [member]	Member			srt:EuropeMember
2695	Americas [member]	Member			srt:AmericasMember
2696	Transactions recognised separately from acquisition of assets and assumption of liabilities in business combination [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TransactionsRecognisedSeparatelyFromAcquisitionOfAssetsAndAssumptionOfLiabilitiesInBusinessCombinationAxis
2697	Transactions recognised separately from acquisition of assets and assumption of liabilities in business combination [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TransactionsRecognisedSeparatelyFromAcquisitionOfAssetsAndAssumptionOfLiabilitiesInBusinessCombinationMember
2698	Total Group Pre Adjustment to Provisiional Fair Values of Prior Year Acquisitions [member]	Member			crh:TotalGroupPreAdjustmentToProvisiionalFairValuesOfPriorYearAcquisitionsMember
2699	Adjustments to Provisional Prior Year Acquisitions [member]	Member			crh:AdjustmentsToProvisionalPriorYearAcquisitionsMember
2700	Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfBusinessCombinationsLineItems
2701	Number of acquisitions	Concept (Integer)	For Period		crh:NumberOfBusinessAcquisitionsCompleted
2702	Goodwill	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:Goodwill
2703	Consideration	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:AcquisitiondateFairValueOfTotalConsiderationTransferred
2704	1221 - Disclosure - Business Combinations - Summary of Post Acquisition Impact (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBusinessCombinationsSummaryOfPostAcquisitionImpact
2705	Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfBusinessCombinationsTable
2706	Business combinations [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:BusinessCombinationsAxis
2707	Entity's total for business combinations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForBusinessCombinationsMember
2708	Ash Grove Cement Company [member]	Member			crh:AshGroveCementCompanyMember
2709	Other acquisitions [member]	Member			crh:OtherAcquisitionsMember
2710	Transactions recognised separately from acquisition of assets and assumption of liabilities in business combination [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TransactionsRecognisedSeparatelyFromAcquisitionOfAssetsAndAssumptionOfLiabilitiesInBusinessCombinationAxis
2711	Transactions recognised separately from acquisition of assets and assumption of liabilities in business combination [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TransactionsRecognisedSeparatelyFromAcquisitionOfAssetsAndAssumptionOfLiabilitiesInBusinessCombinationMember
2712	Post acquisition impact [member]	Member			crh:PostAcquisitionImpactMember
2713	Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfBusinessCombinationsLineItems
2714	Revenue	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:RevenueOfAcquiree
2715	Profit/(loss) before tax for the financial year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:ProfitBeforeTaxForFinancialYear
2716	1222 - Disclosure - Business Combinations - Summary of Revenue and Profit Effected During the Year had Been at Beginning of the Year (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBusinessCombinationsSummaryOfRevenueAndProfitEffectedDuringTheYearHadBeenAtBeginningOfTheYear
2717	Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfBusinessCombinationsTable
2718	Business combinations [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:BusinessCombinationsAxis
2719	Entity's total for business combinations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForBusinessCombinationsMember
2720	2018 Acquisitions [member]	Member			crh:TwoThousandEighteenAcquisitionsMember
2721	CRH Group excluding 2018 acquisitions [member]	Member			crh:CRHGroupExcludingTwoThousandEighteenAcquisitionsMember
2722	CRH Group including 2018 acquisitions [member]	Member			crh:ProformaConsolidatedGroupMember
2723	Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfBusinessCombinationsLineItems
2724	Revenue	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:Revenue
2725	Profit before tax for the financial year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:ProfitBeforeTaxForFinancialYear
2726	1223 - Disclosure - Non-controlling Interests - Additional Information (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNoncontrollingInterestsAdditionalInformation
2727	Disclosure of Non-controlling Interests [table]	Table	*	*	crh:DisclosureOfNoncontrollingInterestsTable
2728	Subsidiaries [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesAxis
2729	Entity's total for subsidiaries [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForSubsidiariesMember
2730	Republic Cement & Building Materials, Inc. and Republic Cement Land & Resources, Inc. [member]	Member			crh:RepublicCementAndBuildingMaterialsIncAndRepublicCementLandAndResourcesFormerlyLuzonContinentalLandCorporationMember
2731	Republic Cement and Building Materials Inc and Republic Cement Land & Resources, Inc [member]	Member			crh:RepublicCementAndBuildingMaterialsIncAndLuzonContinentalLandCorporationMember
2732	Combined Philippines Business [member]	Member			crh:CombinedPhilippinesBusinessMember
2733	Disclosure of noncontrolling interests [line items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfNoncontrollingInterestsLineItems
2734	Total Non-controlling interest	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NoncontrollingInterests
2735	Percentage of equity share capital interest	Concept (Percent)	For Period		crh:PercentageOfEquityInterest
2736	Percentage of economic interest	Concept (Percent)	For Period		crh:PercentageOfEconomicInterest
2737	Percentage of equity share capital interest held by another party	Concept (Percent)	For Period		crh:PercentageOfEquityInterestHeldByAnotherParty
2738	Percentage of economic interest held by another party	Concept (Percent)	For Period		crh:PercentageOfEconomicInterestHeldByAnotherParty
2739	1224 - Disclosure - Non-controlling Interests - Summary of Non-Controlling Interest in Subsidiaries (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNoncontrollingInterestsSummaryOfNonControllingInterestInSubsidiaries
2740	Disclosure of Non-controlling Interests [table]	Table	*	*	crh:DisclosureOfNoncontrollingInterestsTable
2741	Subsidiaries [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesAxis
2742	Entity's total for subsidiaries [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForSubsidiariesMember
2743	Republic Cement & Building Materials, Inc. and Republic Cement Land & Resources, Inc. [member]	Member			crh:RepublicCementAndBuildingMaterialsIncAndRepublicCementLandAndResourcesFormerlyLuzonContinentalLandCorporationMember
2744	Disclosure of noncontrolling interests [line items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfNoncontrollingInterestsLineItems
2745	Economic ownership interest held by non-controlling interest	Concept (Percent)	For Period		crh:EconomicOwnershipInterestHeldByNoncontrollingInterest
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2747	Disclosure of Non-controlling Interests [table]	Table	*	*	crh:DisclosureOfNoncontrollingInterestsTable
2748	Subsidiaries [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesAxis
2749	Entity's total for subsidiaries [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForSubsidiariesMember
2750	Republic Cement and Building Materials Inc and Republic Cement Land & Resources, Inc [member]	Member			crh:RepublicCementAndBuildingMaterialsIncAndLuzonContinentalLandCorporationMember
2751	Disclosure of noncontrolling interests [line items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfNoncontrollingInterestsLineItems
2752	(Loss)/profit for the year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterests
2753	Current assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CurrentAssets
2754	Non-current assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentAssets
2755	Current liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:CurrentLiabilities
2756	Non-current liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentLiabilities
2757	Net assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:NetAssetsLiabilities
2758	Cash flows from operating activities	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInOperatingActivities
2759	1226 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions - Sales to and Purchases From Associates and Joint Ventures (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRelatedPartyTransactionsSalesToAndPurchasesFromAssociatesAndJointVentures
2760	Disclosure of transactions between related parties [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTransactionsBetweenRelatedPartiesTable
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2762	Entity's total for related parties [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForRelatedPartiesMember
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2765	Disclosure of transactions between related parties [line items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTransactionsBetweenRelatedPartiesLineItems
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2767	Purchases	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:PurchasesOfGoodsRelatedPartyTransactions
2768	1227 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions - Summary of Key Management Remuneration (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRelatedPartyTransactionsSummaryOfKeyManagementRemuneration
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2772	Post-employment benefits	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:KeyManagementPersonnelCompensationPostemploymentBenefits
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2774	Total	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:KeyManagementPersonnelCompensation
2775	1228 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRelatedPartyTransactionsAdditionalInformation
2776	Disclosure of transactions between related parties [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTransactionsBetweenRelatedPartiesTable
2777	Categories of related parties [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CategoriesOfRelatedPartiesAxis
2778	Entity's total for related parties [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForRelatedPartiesMember
2779	Key management personnel of entity or parent [member]	Member			ifrs-full:KeyManagementPersonnelOfEntityOrParentMember
2780	Disclosure of transactions between related parties [line items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTransactionsBetweenRelatedPartiesLineItems
2781	Transactions involving key management personnel	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:OtherTransactionsWithRelatedParties
2782	1229 - Disclosure - Supplemental Guarantor Information - Additional Information (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSupplementalGuarantorInformationAdditionalInformation
2783	Disclosure of supplemental guarantor information [table]	Table	*	*	crh:DisclosureOfSupplementalGuarantorInformationTable
2784	Categories of related parties [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CategoriesOfRelatedPartiesAxis
2785	Entity's total for related parties [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForRelatedPartiesMember
2786	CRH America, Inc [member]	Member			crh:CRHAmericaIncorporationMember
2787	Borrowings by name [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:BorrowingsByNameAxis
2788	Borrowings by name [member]	Member			ifrs-full:BorrowingsByNameMember
2789	5.750% Notes Due 2021 [member]	Member			crh:FivePointSevenFiveZeroPercentageNotesDueTwoThousandAndTwentyOneMember
2790	3.875% Notes Due 2025 [member]	Member			crh:ThreePointEightSevenFivePercentageNotesDueTwoThousandAndTwentyFiveMember
2791	6.40% Notes Due 2033 [member]	Member			crh:SixPointFourZeroPercentageNotesDueTwoThousandAndThirtyThreeMember
2792	5.125 Notes Due 2045 [member]	Member			crh:FivePointOneTwoFivePercentageNotesDueTwoThousandAndFortyFiveMember
2793	Subsidiaries [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesAxis
2794	Entity's total for subsidiaries [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForSubsidiariesMember
2795	CRH America Finance Inc [member]	Member			crh:CRHAmericaFinanceIncMember
2796	Disclosure of supplemental guarantor information [line items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfSupplementalGuarantorInformationLineItems
2797	Percentage of ownership interest	Concept (Percent)	For Period		ifrs-full:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInSubsidiary
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2799	Notes interest rate	Concept (Percent)	As Of		ifrs-full:BorrowingsInterestRate
2800	Notes maturity year	Concept (Text/String)	For Period		ifrs-full:BorrowingsMaturity
2801	Notes listing description	Concept (Text/String)	For Period		crh:BorrowingsListingDescription
2802	Bonds acquired	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	crh:BondsAcquired
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2804	Disclosure of supplemental guarantor information [table]	Table	*	*	crh:DisclosureOfSupplementalGuarantorInformationTable
2805	Consolidated and separate financial statements [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ConsolidatedAndSeparateFinancialStatementsAxis
2806	Consolidated [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ConsolidatedMember
2807	Guarantor [member]	Member			srt:GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
2808	CRH America, Inc [member]	Member			crh:CRHAmericaIncorporationMember
2809	Non-Guarantor subsidiaries [member]	Member			srt:NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
2810	Eliminate and reclassify [member]	Member			crh:EliminateAndReclassifyMember
2811	CRH and subsidiaries [member]	Member			crh:CRHAndSubsidiariesMember
2812	Disclosure of supplemental guarantor information [line items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfSupplementalGuarantorInformationLineItems
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2814	Non-current assets	Abstract			ifrs-full:NoncurrentAssetsAbstract
2815	Property, plant and equipment	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:PropertyPlantAndEquipment
2816	Intangible assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:IntangibleAssetsAndGoodwill
2817	Subsidiaries	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:InvestmentsInSubsidiariesJointVenturesAndAssociates
2818	Investments accounted for using the equity method	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:InvestmentAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
2819	Advances to subsidiaries and parent undertakings	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentReceivablesDueFromRelatedParties
2820	Other financial assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:OtherNoncurrentFinancialAssets
2821	Other receivables	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:OtherNoncurrentReceivables
2822	Derivative financial instruments	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentDerivativeFinancialAssets
2823	Deferred income tax assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:DeferredTaxAssets
2824	Total non-current assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentAssets
2825	Current assets	Abstract			ifrs-full:CurrentAssetsAbstract
2826	Inventories	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:Inventories
2827	Trade and other receivables	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherCurrentReceivables
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2829	Current income tax recoverable	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CurrentTaxAssetsCurrent
2830	Derivative financial instruments	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CurrentDerivativeFinancialAssets
2831	Cash and cash equivalents	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalents
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2833	Total current assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CurrentAssets
2834	Total assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:Assets
2835	EQUITY	Abstract			ifrs-full:EquityAbstract
2836	Capital and reserves attributable to the Company's equity holders	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:EquityAttributableToOwnersOfParent
2837	Non-controlling interests	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NoncontrollingInterests
2838	Total equity	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:Equity
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2840	Non-current liabilities	Abstract			ifrs-full:NoncurrentLiabilitiesAbstract
2841	Interest-bearing loans and borrowings	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:LongtermBorrowings
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2844	Other payables	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherPayables
2845	Advances from subsidiary and parent undertakings	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentPayablesToRelatedParties
2846	Retirement benefit obligations	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentRecognisedLiabilitiesDefinedBenefitPlan
2847	Provisions for liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentProvisions
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2849	Current liabilities	Abstract			ifrs-full:CurrentLiabilitiesAbstract
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2851	Advances from subsidiary and parent undertakings	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:AmountsPayableRelatedPartyTransactions
2852	Current income tax liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:CurrentTaxLiabilitiesCurrent
2853	Interest-bearing loans and borrowings	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:CurrentBorrowingsAndCurrentPortionOfNoncurrentBorrowings
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2856	Liabilities associated with assets classified as held for sale	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:LiabilitiesIncludedInDisposalGroupsClassifiedAsHeldForSale
2857	Total current liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:CurrentLiabilities
2858	Total liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:Liabilities
2859	Total equity and liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:EquityAndLiabilities
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2862	Consolidated and separate financial statements [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ConsolidatedAndSeparateFinancialStatementsAxis
2863	Consolidated [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ConsolidatedMember
2864	Guarantor [member]	Member			srt:GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
2865	CRH America, Inc [member]	Member			crh:CRHAmericaIncorporationMember
2866	Non-Guarantor subsidiaries [member]	Member			srt:NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
2867	Eliminate and reclassify [member]	Member			crh:EliminateAndReclassifyMember
2868	CRH and subsidiaries [member]	Member			crh:CRHAndSubsidiariesMember
2869	Disclosure of supplemental guarantor information [line items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfSupplementalGuarantorInformationLineItems
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2871	Cost of sales	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:CostOfSales
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2887	Profit attributable to:	Abstract			ifrs-full:ProfitLossAttributableToAbstract
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2891	Group profit for the financial year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLoss
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2894	Consolidated and separate financial statements [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ConsolidatedAndSeparateFinancialStatementsAxis
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2896	Guarantor [member]	Member			srt:GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
2897	CRH America, Inc [member]	Member			crh:CRHAmericaIncorporationMember
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2899	Eliminate and reclassify [member]	Member			crh:EliminateAndReclassifyMember
2900	CRH and subsidiaries [member]	Member			crh:CRHAndSubsidiariesMember
2901	Disclosure of supplemental guarantor information [line items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfSupplementalGuarantorInformationLineItems
2902	Group profit for the financial year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLoss
2903	Other comprehensive income	Abstract			ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncomeAbstract
2904	Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent years:	Abstract			ifrs-full:ComponentsOfOtherComprehensiveIncomeThatWillBeReclassifiedToProfitOrLossNetOfTaxAbstract
2905	Currency translation effects	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxExchangeDifferencesOnTranslation
2906	Gains relating to cash flow hedges	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:GainsLossesOnCashFlowHedgesNetOfTax
2907	Tax relating to cash flow hedges	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:IncomeTaxRelatingToCashFlowHedgesOfOtherComprehensiveIncome
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2915	Total comprehensive income for the financial year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ComprehensiveIncome
2916	Attributable to:	Abstract			ifrs-full:ComprehensiveIncomeAttributableToAbstract
2917	Equity holders of the Company	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ComprehensiveIncomeAttributableToOwnersOfParent
2918	Non-controlling interests	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ComprehensiveIncomeAttributableToNoncontrollingInterests
2919	Total comprehensive income for the financial year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ComprehensiveIncome
2920	1233 - Disclosure - Supplemental Guarantor Information - Schedule of Supplemental Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow (Detail)	Network	*	*	http://www.crh.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSupplementalGuarantorInformationScheduleOfSupplementalCondensedConsolidatedStatementOfCashFlow
2921	Disclosure of supplemental guarantor information [table]	Table	*	*	crh:DisclosureOfSupplementalGuarantorInformationTable
2922	Consolidated and separate financial statements [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ConsolidatedAndSeparateFinancialStatementsAxis
2923	Consolidated [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ConsolidatedMember
2924	Guarantor [member]	Member			srt:GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
2925	CRH America, Inc [member]	Member			crh:CRHAmericaIncorporationMember
2926	Non-Guarantor subsidiaries [member]	Member			srt:NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
2927	Eliminate and reclassify [member]	Member			crh:EliminateAndReclassifyMember
2928	CRH and subsidiaries [member]	Member			crh:CRHAndSubsidiariesMember
2929	Disclosure of supplemental guarantor information [line items]	LineItems			crh:DisclosureOfSupplementalGuarantorInformationLineItems
2930	Cash flows from operating activities	Abstract			ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract
2931	Profit before tax from continuing operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossBeforeTax
2932	Profit before tax from discontinued operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:ProfitLossBeforeTaxDiscontinuedOperations1
2933	Profit before tax	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:ProfitLossBeforeTaxFromContinuingAndDiscontinuingOperations
2934	Finance costs (net)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForFinanceIncomeCost
2935	Share of subsidiaries' profit before tax	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:AdjustmentsForShareOfSubsidiariesProfitLossBeforeTax
2936	Share of equity accounted investments' profit	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForUndistributedProfitsOfInvestmentsAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
2937	Loss/(profit) on disposals	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:ProfitLossOnDisposalsFromBusinessAndOtherNoncurrentAssets
2938	Group operating profit	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:ProfitLossFromOperatingActivitiesContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperations
2939	Depreciation charge	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForDepreciationExpense
2940	Amortisation of intangible assets	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForAmortisationExpense
2941	Impairment charge	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForImpairmentLossReversalOfImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLoss
2942	Share-based payment (income)/expense	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForSharebasedPayments
2943	Other (primarily pension payments)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherCashPaymentsFromOperatingActivities
2944	Net movement on working capital and provisions	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseInWorkingCapital
2945	Cash generated from operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInOperations
2946	Interest paid (including finance leases)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:InterestPaidClassifiedAsOperatingActivities
2947	Corporation tax paid	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IncomeTaxesPaidClassifiedAsOperatingActivities
2948	Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInOperatingActivities
2949	Cash flows from investing activities	Abstract			ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract
2950	Proceeds from disposals (net of cash disposed and deferred proceeds)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:NetProceedsFromDisposalsFromBusinessAndOtherNoncurrentAssets
2951	Interest received	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:InterestReceivedClassifiedAsInvestingActivities
2952	Dividends received from equity accounted investments	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:DividendsReceivedFromInvestmentsAccountedForUsingEquityMethodClassifiedAsInvestingActivities
2953	Purchase of property, plant and equipment	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:PurchaseOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentClassifiedAsInvestingActivities
2954	Advances from subsidiary and parent undertakings	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:PaymentsForProceedsFromSubsidiaryAndParentUndertakings
2955	Acquisition of subsidiaries (net of cash acquired)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:CashFlowsUsedInObtainingControlOfSubsidiariesOrOtherBusinessesClassifiedAsInvestingActivities
2956	Other investments and advances	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:PaymentsToAcquireOtherInvestmentsAndAdvances
2957	Deferred and contingent acquisition consideration paid	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:DeferredAndContingentAcquisitionConsiderationPaid
2958	Net cash outflow from investing activities	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInInvestingActivities
2959	Cash flows from financing activities	Abstract			ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract
2960	Proceeds from issue of shares (net)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ProceedsFromIssuingShares
2961	Proceeds from exercise of share options	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ProceedsFromExerciseOfOptions
2962	Transactions involving non-controlling interests	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:PaymentsFromTransactionsInvolvingNoncontrollingInterests
2963	Advances to subsidiary and parent undertakings	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:AdvancesToSubsidiaryAndParentUndertakingsClassifiedAsFinancingActivities
2964	Increase in interest-bearing loans, borrowings and finance leases	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ProceedsFromBorrowingsClassifiedAsFinancingActivities
2965	Net cash flow arising from derivative financial instruments	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	crh:NetCashFlowFromDerivativeFinancialInstruments
2966	Premium paid on early debt redemption	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	crh:PremiumPaidOnEarlyDebtRedemption
2967	Treasury/own shares purchased	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:PaymentsToAcquireOrRedeemEntitysShares
2968	Repayment of interest-bearing loans, borrowings and finance leases	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:RepaymentsOfBorrowingsClassifiedAsFinancingActivities
2969	Dividends paid to equity holders of the Company	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:DividendsPaidToEquityHoldersOfParentClassifiedAsFinancingActivities
2970	Dividends paid to non-controlling interests	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:DividendsPaidToNoncontrollingInterestsClassifiedAsFinancingActivities
2971	Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing activities	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInFinancingActivities
2972	Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseInCashAndCashEquivalentsBeforeEffectOfExchangeRateChanges
2973	Reconciliation of opening to closing cash and cash equivalents	Abstract			crh:ReconciliationOfOpeningToClosingCashAndCashEquivalentsAbstract
2974	Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalentsIfDifferentFromStatementOfFinancialPosition
2975	Translation adjustment	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:EffectOfExchangeRateChangesOnCashAndCashEquivalents
2976	Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseInCashAndCashEquivalentsBeforeEffectOfExchangeRateChanges
2977	Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalentsIfDifferentFromStatementOfFinancialPosition