Re: Fairview Apts
tiger said:
- It's a mini public transport blind spot, about half way between the Drumdondra & Fairview/North Strand corridors.
Nonsense. The 123 goes across town from Marino via Fairview Strand and Ballybough Road/Summerhill. And the "North Strand corridor" (served by many routes, but mostly only as far as Marlborough St.) is only 3 minute walk from "Fairview Close." Dart station at Clontarf is maybe 10 minute walk. Handy if you're going further afield, but doesn't really add up for commuting to town.
Daniel said:
Realistically how long a walk is it into o'connell st? The bus is the only other tansport option i take it. Is it that they are all full by that stage or the service is poor ?
Depends on how fast you walk
For me, 20 mins to bottom end of O'Connell St. (Parnell St.) You have to walk through Summerhill, which might make some people nervous, but never had any problems whatsoever in that area.
The 123 bus can indeed be overwhelmed at peak hours as it's one of those small "city imp" type buses. Sometimes there are a couple of double deckers on the route. But the 123 is pretty frequent. It's biggest problem is getting down Phillipsburgh Ave and Fairview Strand, with all the traffic there. Once into Ballybough it's plain sailing to O'Connell St.
Other thoughts...
Fairview Close is on the former site of Davies plumbing store, Richmond Avenue is indeed undergoing a conversion from light industrial to residential use. For people who like to drive to work, I suspect they will be sitting in their cars for 20 mins just to get out onto Richmond Road once these developments are complete. In fact many of them will be sitting in the underground car park for a good while, just trying to get out of the building! So think about not driving if you want to live here.
Flooding:
Yes, Dublin 3 is a low lying area. If the Tolka floods you could have some problems. Richmond Ave is slightly uphill, so it would depend on the severity. Flooding here is nowhere as frequent as the Dodder though. Maybe 2 floods in the past 50 years?
Shops:
Nearest full-size supermarkets are Tesco in Artane, Supervalu in Killester, Superquinn in Coolock. Plus the ones in town (not practical for drivers). So you won't be walking to the supermarket. There's a fairly reasonable and good sized Centra on Fairview Strand for daily purchases.
Amenities:
Fairview Park will soon be reinstated to its former size as the tunnel works are completed. Clontarf seafront is within walking distance. Westwood Club for the gym crowd. And of course Croke Park (expect a lively atmosphere on summer Sundays, some people don't like this and would prefer if GAA were played in Landsdown Road). Shelbourne play down the road in Tolka Park. No traffic problems caused by League of Ireland, unfortunately.
Schools:
Very good girls secondary schools in Griffith Ave vicinity. Local Boys secondary school is St. Joseph's, Fairview. Not as great as in its heyday apparently, but probably better than some people claim. Not a lot of choice in Primary schools. St. Mary's behind Fairview Church is exellent, it's a girls' school, but takes boys up to second class I think. The principal, Ms. Kelly, is very dedicated. If you are a snob you may be put off by the fact that many of the kids are from Ballybough, in which case you may be more interested in the primaries on Griffith Ave.
Restaurants:
The Fairview/Ballybough area used to be a bit of a black spot for food, but things are improving. Good new Thai restaurant just opened on Ballybough Rd. at Clonliffe Rd. There's an Italian (Da Enzo) on Fairview Strand. Friendly but overpriced. Food just OK unless it's improved in the past year. Good coffee shop (Javaholics) opposite Fairview Park.
Pubs:
Best pub locally by a mile is Gaffney's, opposite Fairview Park. hands down
Meagher's pub is practically in the Fairview Close development. Not a bad house. Food used to be OK, haven't been in a while. Avoid Kelly's Fairview Inn, under new ownership and gone rapidly downhill. The Clonliffe House in Ballybough is not much better.
Fairview is a good place to live, very convenient to town.