Drumcondra – future planning

There is considerable interest locally in the outcome of change of ownership in several significant pieces of land in the area.

All Hallows College was advertised for sale last year and the outcome is awaited. Some of the buildings date back some 250 years and are protected structures. The Vincentian Fathers ran the College as a seminary from the 1840s and as a third level college in more recent years. Parts of the lands were sold in recent decades for the Dominican School on Griffith Ave., and for residential developments at Beresford as well as on the site of the old orchards and farmyard off Church Ave. There seems to be a desire to retain the College as an educational facility but only time will tell. There is considerable development land remaining which could be used for residential or student accommodation or for educational purposes.

Hampton Carmelite Convent is located off Grace Park Road with frontage also onto Griffith Ave. It actually backs onto the All Hallows lands. The Carmelite nuns had an enclosed order here for approximately 150 years. Rumour has it that the lands have been privately sold in recent months.

Tolka Park is actually owned by Dublin City Council and leased out as a football ground. It’s currently home to Shelbourne FC and was formerly the home of “Drums”. Talks are taking place around the possibility of Shels and Bohs sharing Dalymount Park, with Tolka Park being sold for development by the City Council . All of this could take years to materialise but any development at Tolka Park would open up the question of the future of the lands across the river in Clonliffe College.

St. Joseph’s School for the Blind/ Rosmini/Childvision: The name may have changed over the years but it has always been used for the care & education of blind & visually impaired people. The lands were advertised for sale a few months ago and an announcement is awaited. Some five years ago planning approval was granted for some 300 dwelling units and with house building picking up again, some movement in this regard can be expected. Again many of the buildings, including the original Drumcondra Castle which dates back over 400 years, are protected listed structures.

News on all the above is expected in the coming months. Decisions may come slowly but they will certainly shape and influence developments in the area for many years to come.