Not To Be Cofused With a rusty iron crossing on the Ontario Heritage Bridge List. Ballsbridge is a filthy rich neighbourhood south-east of the Grand Canal, centred around the eponymous bridge over the River Dodder. With Donnybrook, Sandymount, Ringsend and Irishtown, it makes up the postcode that is the focus of the greatest envy, derision and suspicion in the country: Dublin 4.
Histroy The suburb takes its name from the three-arched bridge built over the Dodder in 1791, replacing the original which the Corpo built in the 1630s after an aldermen was drowned crossing the river. It became fashionable in the mid-19th century when the development of tram services made it possible for the wealthy to commute from the city centre, and large houses were built on the land of the Pembroke family. Its exclusivity was secured by planning restrictions, which decreed that working-class housing should be confined to nearby Irishtown and Ringsend.
Property The large Victorian and Georgian homes fetch the big bucks, and are popular with diplomatic sevices as well as the upper echelons of Irish society. Recently, however, Ballsbridge has been hit by the economic downturn and a number of properties have failed to sell, including the residence of the French ambassador –a snip at €60 million.
Schools At primary level, there are Saint Mary’s Boys National School and St. Brigid’s Girls National School. At secondary level, girls are at a disadvantage, as both Pembroke School and St. Mary’s Holy Faith have closed in recent years, while boys continue to have a choice between Marian College and two private schools, St. Michael’s and St. Conleth’s.
Hospitals The HSE is to put an end to in-patient care at Baggot Street Hospital (which has tended to the needs of locals since 1832), though it will continue to provide a number of outpatient services. Much larger and more modern, St. Vincent’s Hospital on Elm Park provides emergency, inpatient and outpatient services.
Restaurants Lots! And they’re very good. Seasons restaurant at the Four Seasons, the French Paradox, the Lobster Pot, Roly’s, Expresso and Still at the Dylan keep well-heeled locals local. The Embassy Grill and Beshoff’s are packed before and after concerts and matches.
Green Space Herbert park was opened to the public in 1911, on 50
acres of land donated by the Earl of Pembroke to mark the coming of age
of his son, Lord Herbert. Reduced to 32 acres today, it remains the
most attractive feature of the neighbourhood. Aside from the sports
facilities mentioned elsewhere, it is a beautiful natural environment
in which to unwind, with a large, active pond and squirrels that bounce
to and from its horse chestnuts, cherry blossoms, trees of heaven and
sorbuses.
Bars and Pubs In the village there’s the Horse Show House, Paddy Cullen’s, Crowe’s, Mary Mac’s and Bellamy’s, which serve good quality pub food and screen sports events. For the posher lot, there’s the Ice Bar in the Four Seasons. The section of ‘the Baggot Mile’ (a drinking game in which participants stop for a pint at every pub on the street) within Ballsbridge includes the Den Bar, Searson’s, the Waterloo, the Wellington, Smyth’s and the Fifty One – all quite similar in atmosphere and clientele to those in the centre of Ballsbridge. In other words, rather drab.
Entertainment Each year Ballsbridge welcomes the masses to concerts at two stadium venues, the RDS (Royal Dublin Society) and Lansdowne Road (currently under reconstruction). Leinster play rugby in the RDS. Then there’s the once-chic Horse Show, held at the RDS in August, at which locals can demonstrate their own good breeding.
Transport Unsurprisingly, given the nasal tones and unusual phraseology – Dortspeak – adopted by some residents, Ballsbridge is situated on the DART Line, with Lansdowne Road, Sandymount and Sydney Parade stations all convenient. The area is also served by the 4, 5, 7, 7A, 7E, 8, 18, 45, 63 and 84 bus routes.
Sporting Facilities Herbert Park has a wide range of well-maintained sports facilities, including Gaelic and soccer pitches, tennis courts, a croquet lawn and a bowling green. Also in the area are Wanderers and Lansdowne rugby clubs and Pembroke Wanderers Hockey Club. Many residents avail of the tennis clubs in neighbouring Donnybrook and Appian Way (Fitzwilliam).
Politicians Ballsbridge is in the Dublin South East constituency, represented by Chris Andrews (Fianna Fáil), Lucinda Creighton (Fine Gael), Ruairi Quinn (Labour) and John Gormley (Green Party). To their relief and amusement, residents usually find themselves overlooked by Sinn Féin’s election campaigns.
The Bottom Line Ballsbridge is an attractive neighbourhood, and convenient to the city centre. However, it can feel rather soulless, particularly on the weekend when locals flock to adjacent Donnybrook, which has more of a village buzz. The prestige attached to this part of D4 is also part of its downfall, encouraging businesses and the super-rich – who often have no interest in contributing to the community – to buy ‘landmark properties.’ Residents are understandably concerned about Sean Dunne’s planned development of the Jury’s and Berkeley Court sites (see panel). However, since it would create a new town centre, including an arts centre, a cinema and a gallery space, if permission is granted the complex may, at least, encourage some sense of community among local resident
The Battle of Ballsbridge! At time of press, An Bord Pleanála was conducting an oral hearing into developer Sean Dunne’s plans for the site of Jury’s and the Berkeley Court hotels. Dunner bought the seven-acre site for a record €450m in 2005. Dublin City Council gave permission for much of the €1bn project – which would create 5000 permanent jobs and a new urban centre with a shopping centre, apartments, an embassy complex and a cultural centre. But the Council refused to allow a 37-storey skyscraper and some office development, for zoning reasons. Dunne is asking An Bord Pleanála to allow these also. There has been much opposition from councillors and Ballsbridge residents, including Des O’Malley and Dermot Desmond. Those supporting the project include broadcaster Bill O’Herlihy and the Gate’s Michael Colgan. Will the Dunner get his way? Or will the NIMBYs prevail? All shall be revealed... shortly.
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