It’s no surprise that Terenure natives tend to gravitate to their old stomping ground when it’s time to move up or down the property ladder. It’s an obvious location for a generation who enjoyed nights out in Itchy Feet or who recall Kevin Williamson’s Olympian swimming exploits back in the day.

Terenure has been transformed from a quiet suburb into a thriving village but some things remain the same. Derby clashes between Terenure College and St Mary’s in the rugby are heated affairs! And the area is still the safe, family-friendly neighbourhood that Terenurians remember.

Terenure through the ages: in recent times vs. the mid-1900s. Image used via Creative Commons via donring.weebly.com.

The property market in Terenure

There’s a wide variety of properties but the best-sellers are mid-range family homes in the €600,000 to €700,000 price range.

“We’d mainly cover Terenure, Rathgar and Rathfarnham and they’re three very good areas,” says Louise Kenny, Branch Manager of Lisney Terenure. “Terenure and Rathgar are the most popular areas,” says Louise. “Rathfarnham is popular because it’s an extension of Terenure but you’ll probably get slightly better value there. You’ll pay a premium for a Rathgar or Terenure address.”

There’s a big demand for properties with a Dublin 6W address, and the likes of Glenavy Park, Greenlea Road and Laverna Road are big sellers. Other popular areas include Butterfield Park, the squares around Terenure and Rathgar and the likes of Garville Avenue and Rathdown.

Rathdown is popular because it offers big and small bungalows, so home-buyers can move to something with a bit of space. Louise says that properties in this area range from €700,000 for a bungalow right up to detached houses for € 2 million. People trading down often move from red brick properties to bungalows close to one of the three villages. For people trading up, houses that need some work represent a great way to get value in an established area.

“We’re selling a lot of 1940s and 1950s houses that offer potential, so they might need a bit of refurbishment,” says Louise. “They’re the most popular family homes. These traditional houses offer great reception areas, good-sized rooms and very good gardens. A lot of them have garages to the side so there’s potential to extend.”

“The funny thing about Terenure, Rathgar and Rathfarnham is that people who grow up in them tend to stay in them. If they move on and buy elsewhere, they usually want to come back when they’re looking to trade up. A lot of people in Terenure also trade down and remain in the area.”

One obvious reason for this is the great community spirit. There are three vibrant villages in close proximity. A range of local groups and societies offer residents a chance to socialise and get involved in community activities. The area has everything you need and a selection of great shops, cafes and eateries to enjoy.

Interesting properties in Terenure

The local market offers lots of unique properties as well as the traditional houses that line the large squares around the area. One standout example was a semi-detached period residence that Lisney listed recently at Lakelands Park.

The lake behind the house listed in Terenure at Lakelands Park.

“It was a lovely property in a cul de sac beside Terenure College,” says Louise. “It was just a beautiful house that was really different. It had a balcony at the top that overlooked the lake and Terenure College rugby grounds. It was like being in the countryside but in the middle of Terenure. It needed a bit of refurbishment but it had lovely character and it was just a little bit different.”

5 things you may not know about Terenure!

A tram in Terenure in the early to mid-1900s. Image used via Creative Common, South Dublin County Council/Richard Casserley.

1.   James Joyce was born nearby at 41 Brighton Square on February 2, 1882. His grandparents ran the Eagle House pub in Terenure.

2.  World War II spilt over into Terenure in 1941 when Rathdown Park and Lavarna Grove were bombed by the Germans.

3.  Terenure Cross was once a terminus for Dublin trams. The terminus is referenced by James Joyce in Ulysses.

4.  The Terenure to Blessington tramline had the ominous nickname “the longest graveyard in the world” due to a large number of (often drink-related) fatalities on the line.

5.  In 1936, a skeleton, sword-bayonet and water bottle were found in a hollow tree stump in Terenure. It’s believed that the remains belonged to a Fenian who took refuge there after fighting in the Battle of Tallaght in 1867.

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