Adamstown, Dublin

Adamstown (Irish: Baile Adaim, meaning "Town of Adam") is the first new town planned in Ireland since Shannon Town in 1982. The new settlement is being developed 16 km from Dublin city centre, on a 220 hectare site just south of Lucan, west of the Griffeen River and north of the Grand Canal. No date has been set for the official granting of some form of "town status" but development is underway. Adamstown is in the jurisdiction of South Dublin County.

Location and access

The site for the town is located alongside the Dublin-Kildare railway line and a new railway station opened on 10 April 2007. It is easily accessed from the N4 national primary route. Weston Airport is nearby.

History

The Adamstown concept originated with the South Dublin County Development Plan of 1998, which envisaged the creation of several new towns - however, only Adamstown made it to the development stage. The plan is not without its detractors, some of whom see it as part of a never-ending commuterisation and urbanisation of County Dublin and the immediate surrounding region. However, as the provision of its new now functioning rail station, a 12 minute journey from Dublin's central Heuston Station was an integral part of its development, together with the provision of new schools, shopping and sporting facilities within walking distance in the neighbourhood, the new town promotes a sustainable community by promoting public transport, and thus reducing car dependence, in stark contrast to other suburban housing developments.

Infrastructure works officially commenced on 7 February 2005, and on 16 February 2006 the first houses went on the market, with occupation targeted for later that year.

Plans

It is intended that after an initial ten years of development the settlement will have around 10,000 homes, or about 25,000 persons. The homes built in Adamstown will be the familiar type of houses and apartments but whose layout is dissimilar to other later 20th century developments in Ireland in that they are designed to incorporate modern Urban Design concepts. These primarily include permeability, a joined up street system, avoiding the common cul de sac layouts which are acknowledged to foster car dependence, and also the formation of streets with limited setbacks from the rear of the footpath thus producing a greater sense of place. Both these design features, combined with the ease of access to the train station will promote walking, cycling and generally a more sustainable community. There is a strict limit on high-rise types of buildings, three to four storey being the norm. Uniquely as part of the planning permission it was incumbent on the developers to complete various infrastructure and community facilities on a phased basis, to avoid the social problems that can blight large-scale suburban developments, before proceeding with later phases of housing. Hence, already completed are the train station (Dublin Heuston is a 12 minute journey} and two schools and some shops are already operating. Some commentators have noted that this area will only have the minimum legislated level of social housing (12.5%) which will limit the number of families relying on State services, but this is a matter for the Local Authority to decide.

Amenities

The area features a Liffey tributary stream, the Tobermaclugg, which is being used as the centrepiece of a public park.

Sport

Adamstown has a soccer club, Adamstown Football Club, and a GAA club, Adamstown GAA club. Adamstown Football Club was established in November 2005 and currently plays in the United Churches League, with two teams, and plans to expand into schoolboy soccer in the summer of 2008. The GAA club was authorised on 11 June 2007 at a meeting of the Dublin County Board.

A new structure, Club Adamstown, is being put in place by the local council to offer sporting opportunities, including cricket, to local children.

See also

• List of towns and villages in Ireland

External links

• Official site
• Adamstown Railway Station Roof Construction