“THE COMMUNITY EMBRACED us from day one.”
For Caroline Lazarin, who opened Cabana Café with her husband Rodrigo in 2019, the welcoming nature of the locals is what makes Balbriggan such a great place to live or work.
“The people are amazing here,” she says. “We could not have made it through the pandemic without them. All the business owners know one another, and everyone is so kind and helpful.”
The north Dublin coastal town of Balbriggan is a thriving community, with a wealth of amenities, beautiful beaches and a busy fishing harbour. It’s also an area that owes much of its growth to cotton milling.
When Smyth & Co textile manufacturing company opened in Balbriggan in the late 1700s, the town went from a blink-and-you’ll-miss it spot to a hive of industry. As a global supplier of clothing and hosiery (with Queen Victoria among the fans of its high-quality stockings), Smyth & Co put Balbriggan on the map.
The cotton mills may be gone, but Balbriggan’s population is certainly here to stay. It’s currently Ireland’s youngest town, with an average resident age of 30.8, according to CSO data. It’s also one of Ireland’s most diverse places to live, with 28% of locals born outside of Ireland.
Buyers hoping to live in this family-friendly, multi-cultural location should have plenty of options to choose from, thanks to a range of new developments on the outskirts of the town in recent years. One brand new addition is Castleland Park from Glenveagh Homes, who already operate the 135-home Taylor Hill development in the area.
The first phase at Castleland Park will include a selection of three and four-bedroom homes, all located within walking distance of Balbriggan town and the area’s beautiful stretch of coastline. It’s due to launch in 2022 and you can register your interest now to be among the first to receive updates.
If life in a thriving community with the sea close by sounds like an ideal fit, could Balbriggan be a location to consider? We asked some residents and local businesspeople to share their take…
Caroline and Rodrigo of Cabana Café were instantly charmed by Balbriggan when they opened their business here in 2019. Having previously lived in Dublin city, they made the decision to temporarily move to the town to be close to the café during its first year of operation.
“We weren’t familiar with the town but we quickly fell in love with the area and decided to move here. It was such an amazing move for us as a family,” says Caroline. Their café is located near beach and train station and beach, meaning the couple meet everyone from students to parents to to dog walkers.
“It’s a real mixture of ages and there’s always time for a chat and a dog cuddle. We love the diversity,” says Caroline.
Like many business owners, the pandemic brought its challenges for Cabana Café’s owners, but knowing they were part of a tight-knit community made the tough times a little easier:
“All the local business owners are like a family, which makes all the difference. We all support one another,” says Caroline. Being near the sea helped too, she says:
There’s a little spot with a great view of the sea and out to Bettystown near the Martello Tower. Walking there kept us sane during the lockdowns… We were so grateful to be living here by the sea during the pandemic.
Susan Mullen has lived in Balbriggan all her life, and recently joined Balbriggan Chamber of Commerce as its Office Manager. It’s a town that already offers so much, she says, with plenty of positive updates on the horizon too.
In 2020, Fingal County Council launched a seven-year rejuvenation plan for Balbriggan, with investment of up to €57m in the infrastructure of the area. Developments already underway include the installing of more green areas around the town, the development of the brand new Bremore Regional Park, a new cycling greenway, the launch of a digital hub and much more.
“Balbriggan already has so much to offer, and it’s improving week on week,” says Susan. “You can do all you want here, there are beautiful beaches, excellent schools, a wide range of local shops and services and great transport links.”
And with a relaxing of Covid-19 restrictions earlier this month, the town is setting up for a bumper year. “The place really is blossoming as the country opens up,” says Susan.
Michael Hughes is the former Coaching Officer at O’Dwyers GAA Club, and is the current coach of two underage teams. Having recently celebrated its 100-year birthday, the club has a strong history serving Balbriggan, Balscadden and Balrothery.
Current membership stands at over 800, and the club prides itself on its inclusive approach, says Michael:
Our vision is that everyone has the opportunity to be welcomed… The whole environment is centred around fun and enjoyment.
The club mixes competitive and social teams, with a “mothers and others” team, rounders, and the ÓgDwyers Saturday morning sessions for 4-7 year-olds, along with teams for all ages in Gaelic football, hurling, ladies’ football and camogie.
O’Dwyers is a previous participant in Gaelic4Girls, a multi-week programme mixing coaching sessions with informal matches and blitzes. Now sponsored by Glenveagh Homes, it’s designed to bring more female players to GAA at a young age.
Michael describes the club’s participation programme as a “catalyst” to what is now a thriving ladies’ section at O’Dwyer’s. Whatever your age, interest or skill level, the club should be a place you feel at home, says Michael:
“Our aim is to provide a safe space to enjoy sports and make friends.”
Erica Masterson and her husband recently took over management of the Man O’War pub, a few minutes outside Balbriggan town. Established in 1595, it’s one of the oldest pubs in Ireland, so Erica is reluctant to call it “her” pub.
“Man O’War belongs to the community, it always has. We’re only the custodians of it. Everyone has a story about this pub. People can remember being here as kids on weekend afternoons for food, and how they’re having their engagement parties here, or their children’s christenings. The pub is a part of people’s lives.”
Erica grew up in nearby Lusk, and feels honoured to have taken the reins at such a well-known fixture of the north county Dublin landscape.
We’re delighted. The locals are delighted too. Being from around here, people tend to look out for one another, and we’re getting so much support.
Considering making Balbriggan your new home? Castleland Park is due for launch in 2022, close to the coast and within walking distance of Balbriggan town. Register your interest here.
At Glenveagh Homes, our vision is that everyone should have the opportunity to access great-value, high-quality homes in flourishing communities across Ireland. We understand that buying a home is possibly the biggest decision you will ever make in your life – but we want to make it your easiest. Click here to find out more about Glenveagh developments.
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