Your Neighbourhood is a series of local area guides from TheJournal.ie, presented by KBC. We’re bringing you the best of city neighbourhoods combined with the latest property data. 

WHITEHALL AND BEAUMONT are two adjoining neighbourhoods in the heart of the Northside – almost exactly halfway between the city centre and the airport.

This location puts them on a natural rise looking across the city, just uphill from Fairview and Drumcondra. (In fact Beaumont got its name from none other than Arthur Guinness, who built a mansion there in 1764 and took the ballsy step of renaming the whole area after the French for ‘nice hill’.)

The neighbourhoods as we know them were shaped in the 20th century, starting around the 1920s with development continuing through the 1970s and beyond. Today, they’re spacious and open with plenty of green – including some of the wide tree-lined avenues usually associated with ritzier areas of the southside. 

An older population of long-standing residents – one local told us that 50% of the population are now over 60 – is being augmented by a wave of younger families drawn by the location and facilities. There are no fewer than three shopping centres nearby (Omni, Northside, Artane Castle) plus Beaumont Hospital and DCU, and the amenities they bring.

Take me there! Sure. Here you are outside the Beaumont House, facing west towards Whitehall. 

So what’s the big draw? Whitehall and Beaumont are mature and generally quiet neighbourhoods, with a location that makes them handy for both the city centre and the M50. They have a lot of green space to offer, more so than most neighbourhoods closer to town. And they’re well supplied with sports clubs, civic amenities and the general infrastructure of family life. 

What do people love about it? Community spirit – plus the physical neighbourhood itself, says Des Maguire of the Beaumont Residents Association. 

The warm, friendly and welcoming residents that make up the close-knit community. It is a diverse community where many non-Irish live, work and socialise side-by-side with locals and in complete harmony. 

The many roads and avenues populated with lovely large mature trees which one would only expect to find in certain southside posh neighbourhoods. It is not essential for residents of Beaumont to own cars as most services and facilities are within walking distance.

And… what do people NOT love about it? The traffic, says Des. 

The ever-increasing traffic volumes and associated problems including parking. Less than adequate public transport. It has only one type of public transport – buses. It does not have a train or Dart.

What’s the story with house prices? Not the worst by Dublin standards. According to Daft.ie the average asking price for a home in Beaumont is €352,438, rising slightly to €367,684 in Whitehall. That’s €70-90k lower on average than near neighbours to the south Drumcondra (€440k) and Fairview (€438k).

How long will it take me into town? From Collins Avenue, it’s about 50 minutes into the north city centre at a brisk walk. 

The area is well served by Dublin Bus, with the 16, 33 and 41 all passing through. The MetroLink is currently planned to pass to the west of the area, but will still be a good walk away.

Where should I get lunch? For something a little fancy, try Twenty2 on the Sion Hill Road towards Drumcondra. They do a good selection of bistro-style mains at reasonable prices.

Alternatives: If you’ve got small children in tow, try Little Darlings Play Cafe – a safe space for babies and toddlers to enjoy themselves, with coffee and cake for parents. If you’re really hungry, go for a carvery in the Beaumont House (of which more below) – it’s been described as “Ireland’s longest and largest”. 

And what’s my new local? Head for the aforementioned Beaumont House, a large and long-standing local which, carvery aside, is a solid place for a pint. 

Alternatives: The Kilmardinny Inn is another local spot with live sports, music and even bingo. You’ll never be bored. 

Schools and supermarkets? Supermarkets absolutely out the door. There’s a SuperValu on the Coolgarriff Road; Tesco, Lidl and M&S in the Omni Park; another Tesco and Lidl at Artane Castle; and SuperValu, Dunnes and Iceland in the Northside Shopping Centre.

There are 6 primary schools in the immediate area: Holy Child National School (Catholic, mixed, 407 pupils); Holy Child Senior Boys (Catholic, boys, 287 pupils); St Fiachra’s Junior and Senior (Catholic, mixed, 711 and 714 pupils); St David’s (Catholic, boys, 293 pupils) and St John of God’s (Catholic, girls, 176 pupils). More are nearby. 

There are 6 post-primary schools nearby: Our Lady of Mercy (Catholic, girls, 407 pupils); Margaret Aylward Community College (interdenominational, girls, 157 pupils); St Aidan’s CBS (Catholic, boys, 721 pupils); Maryfield College (Catholic, girls, 618 pupils); St David’s College (Catholic, boys, 509 pupils); and Clonturk College (multidenominational, mixed, 207 pupils).

OK, I’m sold. Give me one piece of Whitehall and Beaumont trivia to impress a local. A small plaque on Whitehall’s Yellow Road marks the site of a little-known Civil War atrocity: the abduction and murder of two young men. In the wake of the killing of Michael Collins in Cork, two anti-Treaty soldiers aged 19 and 21 were bundled into a car, held against gateposts, and shot four times each. Read the full story on Come Here To Me. 

Do you live in Whitehall or Beaumont? Share your opinion in the comments!