After its first beginnings in 2003, Clongriffin town is now more than halfway complete to being the buzzing commuter town that Dublin City Council had envisioned. 

Development plans for Dublin's new town, comprising of houses and apartments, started in 2005 and Clongriffin was planned to have educational, retail and service facilities, including a multi-screen cinema.

It also has its own railway station which is just 17 minutes on the DART to Connolly, and a 'Park and Ride' carpark which was hoped to make the town a huge hit with commuters.

While Clongriffin was designed to have about 3,600 homes, building stopped when the recession hit and the town was brought to a standstill. 

Plans for a shopping centre and centralised main street and local outdoor market didn't materialise as expected, but with the news that An Bord Pleanála has granted planning permission for developers to begin on the next phase of the town, it looks like Clongriffin is almost ready to go. 

The next phase will include 139 apartments with a gym, roof gardens with a view over the coastline and resident lounges in a 16-storey building. 

The main street is now nearing full occupancy with shops for residents already living in the town, and there is an award winning park that has a promenade, concert amphitheatre, and picnic areas with outdoor chess or draughts boards, two playgrounds and a skate park.

Header image: Clongriffin Town/Conroy Crowe Kelley Architects 

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