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The shops on the Shantalla Road in Beaumont Des Maguire

Your guide to Whitehall and Beaumont: Leafy tree-lined avenues in the place that got its name from Guinness

Two mature and settled neighbourhoods with loads of green space.

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!

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    Mute windbag
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:45 AM

    Two of my friends work for two different companies in the city centre and they have been told to work from home till January. Not only that but come January there companies have said more than likely they will be in office 2 days a week and home 3 forever…. They are delighted…

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    Mute ed w
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    Jun 8th 2020, 12:24 PM

    @windbag: were been told September. but as my broadband coverage of any kind is terrible I cant wait to go back and work properly although a couple of days a week might work.

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    Mute Forest Hump
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    Jun 8th 2020, 5:03 PM

    @ed w: makes sense, this should’ve been put in place years ago. Better for the environment, better for workers and there will be almost no impact to most businesses. Cafes/restaurants may lose out though

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    Mute Disabled Junkie
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    Jun 8th 2020, 12:22 PM

    If this pandemic has taught us anything it’s remote working is practical and should become part of the “new normal” where possible. Hopefully the days of having to commute to the office just to be seen are behind us.

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    Mute Rochelle
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:34 AM

    This is what the “open up for business” crowd don’t seem to understand, most customers aren’t interested and want to avoid unessential visits and shopping.

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    Mute Sven Gilmore
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:20 AM

    The money just isn’t there folks!!!

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    Mute Cynical
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:29 AM
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    Mute Sam Greene
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    Jun 8th 2020, 1:34 PM

    @Cynical: oh shuttup

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    Mute Dave Nomates
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    Jun 8th 2020, 4:42 PM

    @Cynical:
    AGAIN, TAKEN FROM A FACE MASK BOX.

    THIS PRODUCT IS AN EAR LOOP MASK.
    IT IS NOT A RESPIRATOR AND WILL NOT PROVIDE PROTECTION AGAINST COVID-19 (CORONA VIRUS) OR OTHER VIRUSES OR CONTAMINANTS.

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    Mute Cynical
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    Jun 8th 2020, 4:50 PM

    @Sam Greene: Bless you, its a cornerstone for all the other countries that are currently re-opening and could allow us to reduce the 2 meter distance.

    Also expressly recommended by the World Health Organisation:
    ‘The World Health Organization has said that people in Ireland should get into the habit of wearing face coverings, even if it’s not mandatory to do so.’
    https://www.rte.ie/news/coronavirus/2020/0606/1145825-coronavirus-facemasks-who/

    I’ll just wait here while you find a link for a Facebook group that links mask wearing to developing autism.

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    Mute Cynical
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    Jun 8th 2020, 4:57 PM

    @Dave Nomates: Stop shouting! You do realise that is a legal disclaimer to protect from anyone that does contract the disease from claiming from them? Masks are not perfect, but they are much better than no protection.

    Depending on the type of mask used, they are between 77% and 96% effective at stopping transmission.
    https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)31142-9/fulltext
    https://www.livescience.com/face-masks-eye-protection-covid-19-prevention.html

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    Mute Isabel Oliveira
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    Jun 8th 2020, 12:01 PM

    No widespread usage of masks in buses is ridiculous. Absolutely reckless.

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    Mute Eugene Tyson
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:38 AM

    So… buses were less busy as they returned to normal-ish operating hours.

    Basically, they were busier when there was fewer buses. Which means returning to normal is the right thing to do, with fewer people on buses because there are more buses, is a good thing right?

    Give it a week and it will be crazy again. Especially with more workers returning. Increased traffic will be huge as more people won’t want to get public transport, and take their cars instead.

    Once the schools and colleges are back it will be bedlam. Typically when schools and colleges are off the traffic is ok anyway.

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    Mute Eileen O'Sullivan
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:51 AM

    @Eugene Tyson: that’s a logical analysis. really well argued.

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    Mute Dave Nomates
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:21 AM

    Great to see the majority of right thinking people refuse to wear a stupid mask,
    Insert Idiotic reply below.

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    Mute Robert
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:24 AM

    @Dave Nomates: have a nap Dave

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    Mute Fabio Dillon
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:27 AM

    @Dave Nomates: masks greatly reduce the spread of droplets which is what spreads flu.

    If you disagree you disagree. Majority agree. Including any doctor or biologist you will speak to.

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    Mute Eugene Tyson
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:39 AM

    @Dave Nomates: Wear the mask, it’s only a mask.

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    Mute Eileen O'Sullivan
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:50 AM

    @Eugene Tyson: Dave’s face covering of choice is no doubt a balaclava.

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    Mute David Jordan
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:51 AM

    @Dave Nomates: Peer review research found that people who refuse to comply with social distancing guidelines e.g. wear masks, are more likely to be psychopathic and narcissistic:

    “Psychopathic traits linked to non-compliance with social distancing guidelines amid the coronavirus pandemic”

    New research provides some initial evidence that certain antagonistic personality traits are associated with ignoring preventative measures meant to halt the spread of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

    The study has been peer reviewed and accepted for publication in the journal Social Psychology and Personality Science. It is currently available on the PsyArXiv preprint website.

    “One potential implication from this research is that there may be a minority of people with particular personality styles (on the narcissism and psychopathy spectrum) that have a disproportionate impact on the pandemic by failing to protect themselves and others.”

    https://www.psypost.org/2020/06/psychopathic-traits-linked-to-non-compliance-with-social-distancing-guidelines-amid-the-coronavirus-pandemic-56980

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    Mute NotMyIreland
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:52 AM

    @Dave Nomates: So childish. “stupid mask”

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    Mute Kate Flaherty
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:54 AM

    @Dave Nomates: here’s an idiotic reply for you Braveheart, how comfortable would you be on public transport should the person beside you start to cough or sneeze and have the same idiotic attitude as yourself and choose not to wear a mask?, do you actually believe people are happy about having to wear a mask?, probably not but they do it out of respect and regard for others, so the next time you see someone wearing a mask just think they’re wearing it to protect not only themselves but you too…

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    Mute Delboy79
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    Jun 8th 2020, 12:19 PM

    @David Jordan: bit OTT there David . Some people are just self conscious about attracting attention/looks by wearing a mask . It’s not the norm yet . I find myself unintentionally looking at people in Tesco who are wearing a mask .

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Jun 8th 2020, 12:57 PM

    @Dave Nomates: Nothing can top your idiotic remark

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    Mute SaveTheTrees
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    Jun 8th 2020, 1:18 PM

    Staggering the opening hours for retail was a great idea, props

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    Mute conex
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    Jun 8th 2020, 12:42 PM

    Them numbers will quadruple…….on dole day !

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    Mute Mislav Smok
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    Jun 8th 2020, 3:49 PM

    Aha you will see how many people will lose jobs now. But stay home fake virus

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    Mute Evelyn Keely
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    Jun 8th 2020, 2:46 PM

    I beg to differ it is very busy frightenly so Luas is a hell of a lot busier I live in the city centre and can see a huge difference in footfall and transport I appriciate some are on their way to or from work but not all…just stay safe if coming into town…

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