Sitting closer to town than Crumlin or Walkinstown, Drimnagh expanded in the 1930s as new housing took over from farmland situated between Drimnagh Castle and Lansdowne Valley ( where nearby Crumlin gets its name).

The area has two distinct areas, with larger properties near the Castle, and smaller properties to the north, near the Grand Canal.

Drimnagh Dublin 12

Despite being closer to the city, house prices here are often lower than those in other Dublin 12 areas, although it has great transport links by road, Luas and bus coupled with a real community feel.

To those who live there, however, it has a strong pull and many will be happy to tell you that the Crumlin hospital is really in Drimnagh! ( it is by the way!)

Historical Drimnagh

People have lived in Drinmagh for thousands of years, with neolithic relics found on sites, but it really gained prominence with the building of Drimnagh Castle, the only moated castle in Ireland. 

Drimnagh castle Dublin 12

This Norman castle was occupied until the 1950s, and, after a substantial restoration, is now open to the public, when it’s not being used as a wedding venue or film set, appearing in Ella Enchanted and The Tudors amongst others.

Drimnagh was home to many famous Dubliners, from sports stars like Michael Carruth, Brian Kerr, Kevin Moran and Eamonn Coghlan to artists such as Patrick Bergin, Tom Dunne, Sean Keane and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. 

Shopping

Drimnagh’s residents tend to shop in the Ashleaf and Crumlin Centres when not enjoying the Liffey valley or Dublin Centre amenities, but local shops are abundant, especially around Errigal road and Galtymore road.

Drimnagh Dublin 12

Restaurants

Drimnagh Road has a selection of coffee shops, restaurants and Pubs, including the Marble Arch, Elenora and BlackForge inn. The Coffee studio offers a refreshing change if you’re not into the big chains, although Starbucks and Costa are close at hand. 

Drimnagh is well served with restaurants with all major cuisines present. The Halfway House, McGettigans Cookhouse and The Green Kitchen Cafe being well regarded.

Schools

Drimnagh has 5 primary and 4 secondary schools, offering mixed and single-sex education, including the Drimnagh Castle and Our Lady of Good Counsel National Schools, Mourne Road Infant and Loreto Primary schools for younger kids. 

Drimnagh Dublin 12

Older children are catered for at Our Lady of Mercy, Drimnagh Castle and Assumption Secondary schools and CBS James’s Street.

Transport

Drimnagh is very well served with public transport, having no less than 4 Luas stops and a wide range of bus routes offering excellent connections to Dublin City, Tallaght and surrounding business and industrial districts.

Proximity to the M50 makes wider commuting easy as well. 

Housing stock

Like nearby Crumlin, the vast majority of properties in Drimnagh are houses, although there are more apartments than in Crumlin. 91% of properties are houses built during the ’30s with 74% of homes being built before 1960, and only 5% is less than 20 years old.

 This means solid, well-built homes with gardens and off-street parking coupled with established infrastructure and a strong sense of community. 

Population

Drimnagh’s population reflects the rest fo Dublin 12, being heavily family-oriented, but with a growing first-time buyer segment. 55% of homes have children, but there is a growing empty-nester population as well, as people are happy to stay in the areas they love.