Dublin — Dublin City Council has officially launched the first phase of homes at Oscar Traynor Woods in Coolock, north Dublin, one year after construction was halted following the discovery of building defects on the 42-acre site.
A total of 64 homes have been handed over in the first phase, delivered in partnership with housing body Clúid Housing, as part of an 850-home masterplan that represents one of the council’s largest ever public land housing projects. The overall completion timeline remains set for 2027.
The launch comes after years of political controversy surrounding the site, from planning disputes over private developer involvement to construction delays, making today’s handover a significant moment for Dublin’s housing delivery programme.
A Long-Delayed Site
Oscar Traynor Woods has been in Dublin City Council ownership for more than four decades. The 42-acre site in Coolock was previously used as a compound during the construction of the Dublin Port Tunnel, completed in 2007.
Plans to develop housing on the land were shelved following the 2008 economic crash. When proposals resurfaced a decade later, they were rejected by councillors amid concerns that half the homes would be sold by a private developer.
In 2021, councillors approved a revised mixed-tenure model comprising social, affordable purchase,e and cost-rental homes to be delivered by developer Glenveagh. Construction began in late 2023 but was paused in January 2025 after a number of building defects were identified.
Defects Resolved, Project On Track
At today’s launch, Dublin City Council and Glenveagh confirmed that all identified building issues have been fully addressed and that the 2027 completion timeline remains on track.
Glenveagh CEO Stephen Garvey said the homes have undergone full certification through the building control process.
“We, with Dublin City Council, who are partners, sat down around the table and worked everything out,” he said. “All of those issues have been resolved. The first homes have gone through the CCC system in building control and have all been certified.”
He added that units had been subject to rigorous testing and compliance checks before handover.
64 Homes Delivered in First Phase
The 64 homes launched today include:
- 24 social homes
- 24 cost-rental homes
- 16 affordable purchase homes
The properties include a mix of apartments, maisonettes, duplexes and houses across the site.
Affordable Pricing and Income Limits
The pricing of affordable units has drawn scrutiny, particularly higher-end homes priced at €475,000. Dublin City Council’s Head of Housing, Mick Mulhern, said prices are in line with the legislative definition of affordability and represent an average 24–25% reduction below open market value.
The 16 affordable homes in this first phase range from €254,000 for a one-bedroom maisonette to €475,000 for a three-bedroom house. Eligible household incomes range from €54,000 to €105,0,00, depending on property type.
Second Phase Now Open for Applications
The council has opened applications for a second phase of 57 affordable purchase homes due for delivery later this year. These include:
- 16 one-bedroom maisonettes
- 9 two-bedroom maisonettes
- 9 two-bedroom duplexes
- 9 three-bedroom duplexes
- 2 two-bedroom houses
- 12 three-bedroom houses
Under the Affordable Housing Scheme, the council bridges the gap between mortgage capacity and market value in exchange for an equity share. Pricing by household income in the second phase:
- One-bed maisonettes (€254,000–€308,000) — incomes of €57,000–€69,000
- Two-bed maisonettes/duplexes (€312,000–€403,000) — incomes of €70,000–€91,000
- Three-bed duplexes (€352,000–€427,000) — incomes of €79,000–€96,000
- Two-bed houses (€325,000–€427,000) — incomes of €73,000–€96,000
- Three-bed houses (€357,000–€475,000) — incomes of €80,000–€106,000
Households on lower incomes with additional savings may also qualify.
A Template for Future Public Land Projects
Chief Executive of Dublin City Council, Richard Shakespeare, described the launch as a significant milestone for the city’s housing ambitions.
“It showcases our ambition and commitment to delivering mixed-tenure developments that are affordable and sustainable,” he said.
Council officials confirmed the mixed-tenure model at Oscar Traynor Woods, combining social, cost-rental and affordable purchase homes on public land, is now being replicated across other major Dublin sites.
The launch comes as homelessness in Ireland surpassed 17,000 for the first time earlier this month, and as Minister James Browne has threatened to override local councils on land rezoning to accelerate housing delivery nationwide.
With 850 homes planned in total, Oscar Traynor Woods remains one of the capital’s most closely watched public housing developments — a test case for how Ireland balances affordability, tenure mix and construction oversight on public land.
This article is based on official statements published by Dublin City Council.
