Living In Rathdrum, Wicklow

Johnnystephens wrote: »

Unfortunately the small town/ village is destroyed with monstrous housing estates ...The street was only meant for horse and carts and can't cope with the surge in traffic so much so it's grid locked most days with nowhere to park. Shops are extremely expensive so most people shop in Wicklow and Arkow..Not a lot in the way of good sports facilities for kids or adults..Boys school is grand [SNIP], tech is mediocre.Other than that the surrounding scenery is outstanding.

Johnnystephens wrote: »

Lived in it all my life, it is now destroyed, the only horse stuff you mention is coming from yourself.

Anyone know anything about these developments in Rathdrum - next / new phases due in all of the below soon:

Avonmore View - full new phase soon

Avondale Grange - full new phase soon

Avondale Meadows - 8 more houses coming

Stewart’s Hall - 17 more houses coming

No prices confirmed yet, all due to go up substantially from previous phases, not surprisingly…

Link please?

I looked into buying here last year. The entire 2nd phase is social housing. The estate agent said it would be atleast this summer before any would be available for private buyers

All very useful information .... thanks to all those contributing. 😊

One Question: Does anybody have copies of brochures for any of these developments they could share online?? It's not clear in what condition any of these properties are being offered and hence not clear what the rising prices really mean.

I viewed some new-builds in Gorey where the condition and finish was top notch but the added commuting distance for me was just too much and so I am restricting myself to Rathdrum and the like. Yet I have heard that a lot of the Wicklow properties (e.g. Tinahilly in Rathnew) are being sold in bare bones form meaning an additional large budget is required to make them habitable.

Is this the same in the Rathdrum developments??

Thanks Pat.

I see from the brochure a reference to a €1,000 tiling allowance—and that’s it. Brochure doesn’t even specify the usual stuff about air to water heating systems etc … It’s a very bare bones presentation, clearly confident that there will be takers regardless. And that is despite the large jump in prices this past year.

I saw tome top quality new builds in Enniscorthy too, but it’s too far from everything for me.

Are the other developments in Rathdrum bare bones propositions too (e.g. Avondale Meadows, Viewmount, Oak Springs) do you know??

Thanks Help_Dubai … Not too fussed about the white goods (not expensive and easily fitted) but flooring is time AND money … And it complicates comparison between different builds, developments, locations etc. Oh, and what’s the relevant difference between a timber frame and block build house, do you know? Other than timber-frame builds taking less time to construct (or is that true?). Couldn’t find the Stewart’s Hall release listed anywhere online … is it on a local hoarding only?? And what do you make of those prices??

I’m no builder, but with the Irish climate and for longevity, I preference a block build myself. Contact the agent (McDonnell Properties) if you’re interested in the Stewart’s Hall houses), they’ve probably only shared details with waiting list people yet but will openly advertise if there are any left after that. 315-320 is expected but given where prices were 1, 2, 3 years ago… it’s painful. If social housing is a factor for you, do your research. Avondale meadows (8 houses) were 330 and sold out in a morning. There are loads of people on the waiting list for the next phase in Avonmore view apparently, so you need to be on the ball. You mightn’t get a place if you wait for them to be up on Daft etc. Rathdrum is a shorter commute than Gorey to Dublin, particularly if you’re taking the train. The train station, despite only 2 morning and 2 evening options is a big plus for Rathdrum. All other stops are in bigger more expensive places as you get closer to Dublin. Rathdrum is a not too discovered yet gem… don’t tell all the dubs moving out though 😋

I think the ones at 320 are in the much better position and are slightly larger. A few are already sold and I wouldn’t think the others will be available for too long. If you look at the estate plan, the terraced ones will have a few local authority social housing units and one of the housing bodies may have purchased the others (so the grapevine says). I think avonmore view social housing units will be facing directly onto Stewart’s hall.

Yes, now €330k for the standard 3 bed semi-d … though how much was it in phase one? 290k??

I ask because I have noticed (not least in myself) that a one year rise form 300k to 330k (e.g.) is seen as “crazy!” when in fact it is simply 10% over the year when some of the ingredients of the cost have risen more than 50% … It’s the fact that that “small” rise takes something from just-within-reach to out-of-reach that prompts that sense of panic and that it’s all gone “crazy’ … At least in my humble opinion.

But yes, notwithstanding, these are almost unreal prices … the equivalent in Wicklow town is around 400k (365k for a duplex, not even an semi-d) …

Yes, it's a very big annual rise alright, though not so surprising for the new builds given soaring costs of materials and shortages of labour ... impossible to tell which way it will go but those who are predicting a big bust on the model of the 2008-09 crash tend to forget that supply, demand, and regulation of lending are all very different now than back then. That said, if I was 20 years younger, I'd probably decide to sit this out, but I don't have that particular luxury at my age where each passing year means a smaller mortgage for me.

And Stewart’s Hall upped their prices from 315 and 320 to 320 and 325… bit opportunistic to send out the prices as a feeler and then adjust based on interest/demand… prefer the usual approach from developers - fixed prices per phase. That kind of approach doesn’t bode well for when house finishes are being finalised etc.

Agree pretty much with this with the exception of “village” 🙂.

long past been a village.

Yep I moved to the Rathdrum area in 2018 and its amazing how much housing has come onboard in the 4 years since with practically nothing in the way of infrastructure or amenity improvements. Fair enough the new library and primary care centre are in but the main street through the town is not fit for purpose because of all the double parking going on. It's the usual planning idiocy though, build the houses and only then worry about amenities and services.

What are the commuting options to Dublin? Just the train at stupid o clock? I don't see any bus options online.

Having lived here in Rathdrum for 15 years and married to a local I'd have a few observations.

With all the new housing it should force the powers that be to build a new primary school. A large mixed school. Ridiculous that in 2022 its still split into a boys primary and girls primary school.

The main street is a shambles. Awful job trying to get up an down it. It should be made one way especially as the outer ring road is there.

Shopping is limited and expensive.

Big Lack of amenities or infrastructure but hopefully that will have to come with the hundreds of house being built

People are lovely in my experience. Very friendly and a relaxed calm place to live with little(to my knowledge) anti-social behavior.

15 mins from the beach in Brittas Bay

Train link even if only twice a day

A good and active GAA club. There is also soccer,rugby, gymnastics etc.

Avondale house and glendalough on your doorstep.

Not too far from with bigger shopping towns of Wicklownor Arklow.

I'm from the Midlands and to be honest after living here I'd never go back. I really like Rathdrum!

Mostly yes.. or drive to a park and ride for the Luas or Dart