Chapelizod is a curious beast – a small, self-contained riverside village that is next to the Phoenix Park and well inside the M50. You’d hardly know you were in the city at all.
The village is known for its rural atmosphere and strong sense of community, while it benefits hugely from its proximity to the city centre and the bars and restaurants that have been opening up in recent years.
Public transport can be an issue as you will see below - and won't be helped by the new housing planned for the village - but there are few better areas for an easy cycle into town.
Residents past and present include Victorian ghost story writer Sheridan Le Fanu, publishing magnate The Viscount Northcliffe and the late Fair City actor Karl Shiels. Fancy joining them? Here’s Chapelizod by numbers...
Population*
3,056, as of the 2016 census.
*Figure taken from CSO data for the Chapelizod electoral area
Average house price 2019 H1*
€296,603
By house size**
1-bed: €177k
2-bed: €242k
3-bed: €335k
4-bed: €571k
5-bed: €631k
*Figure for Chapelizod provided by Perfect Property
**Figures for Dublin 20, according to the Daft 2019 Q4 house price report.
Most expensive house*
€380,000: 40 Martin's Row, Chapelizod (3-bed semi-detached house)
*Correct according to Daft.ie as of 25/2/19
Least expensive house*
€195,000: Apartment 7, Phoenix View, The Steeples, Chapelizod (1-bed apartment)
*Correct according to Daft.ie as of 25/2/19
Availability*
13 properties for sale
*Correct according to Daft.ie as of 25/2/19
Services
Garda Station: Ballyfermot Garda Station, Rossmore Ave
Post Offices: Chapelizod Post Office, 20 Main Street
Nearest Library: Ballyfermot Library, Ballyfermot Rd
No. of schools/creches*
Pre-schools: 2
Primary Schools: 3
Secondary Schools: 1
*Figures from education.ie and childcare.ie
Parks and playgrounds
Two words: Phoenix Park. A small pedestrian gate in Park Lane, beside the post office, takes you straight into the park where 707 hectares of open space are at your service. Further along on Chapelizod Road, there’s also a vehicle entrance.
If you’re into riverside walks, you’re in for a treat – a picturesque path will take you down the Liffey to the Irish National War Memorial Gardens.
And if you’re looking for children’s playgrounds, there’s one in Markievicz Park in Ballyfermot. The Phoenix Park playground is at the Infirmary Road end, which is a bit of a trek from Chapelizod with little ones in tow.
Public transport links
Chapelizod is lacking a rail or Luas link, but it is on plenty of bus routes – 25, 26, 66, 66A, 66B, 66E, 67 and 67A all serve the village.
However, locals have complained that buses towards town are often full by the time they reach Chapelizod. To make matters worse, there are plans to dramatically reduce service frequency as part of BusConnects.
Time to city centre*
Driving: 22 minutes (traffic dependent)
Public Transport: 18 minutes (bus)
Cycling: 19 minutes
Walking: 1 hour 12 minutes
*Times (except public transport) taken from Main Street to O’Connell Bridge, according to Google Maps.
Food and drink
6 restaurants are listed on Google Maps, including small neighbourhood spots like Café de Bróc, Baa Baa by BlackSheep Foods and The Bridge Bar and Eatery – all are highly rated by reviewers and many double up as bars or cafés.
There’s a nice choice of pubs too with 3 listed on Google – The Mullingar House is a traditional establishment on Chapelizod Road while The Villager is a cosy spot on the Main Street.
Takeaway fans can choose from 40 options on Just Eat, 15 on Deliveroo and 10 on Uber Eats.
Shopping
You’ll only get the essentials in Chapelizod village – there’s a Spar, a pharmacy and not much else. Nearby, there’s a selection of supermarkets in Ballyfermot including a Tesco Superstore and a branch of Iceland.
The good news, though, is that you are just a 10-minute drive from Liffey Valley, or 20 minutes into town by car, bus or bike.
Sport and leisure
There’s a choice of GAA clubs in the area, though none in Chapelizod itself. Liffey Gaels are in Kilmainham, while the Palmerstown/Ballyfermot area has St Patrick’s and Ballyfermot De La Salle.
Local soccer clubs include Palmerstown FC, Dynamo Dublin FC (based in the Phoenix Park) and Landen United (Ballyfermot).
Donore Harriers (pictured) is an athletics club based just outside the village, opposite the Phoenix Park gate.
In 2016 a group of locals set up Chapelizod Cricket Club, which has a multinational membership and pitches itself to beginners as well as experienced players.
Finally, golfers can play at Longmeadows Pitch and Putt on St Laurence’s Road, while for a full 18-hole experience Castleknock Golf Club is not too far away.
