A secret garden in behind the N11

ASHFORD:Ashford is one of the most beautiful villages in the Dublin commuter belt but some infrastructure still needs to be sorted out, writes Paul O'Doherty

Easily one of the more beautiful residences in the Dublin commuter belt, Ashford could be a secret garden hidden behind the rolling hills cut by the N11. But, despite its green, leafy and secluded location and lack of traffic that bottlenecked the village in the 1990s, Ashford remains a work-in-progress desperate for its sewage capacity problems to be resolved earlier thathe forecasted 2010. A solution would kick-start development plans - already in limbo - to house, feed, babysit, school, entertain and wash the 1,300-odd population which is predicted to treble by 2016.

How's the market?

According to McDonnell Properties' Richard McDonnell it's "stagnant, with prices having fallen by 15 to 20 per cent", while Clarke Auctioneers' Stephen Clarke maintains "buyers are still nervous and sitting on their hands hoping interest prices might reduce in the Budget".

With one-bed homes scarce, the two-bed sector starts with a renovation project in Ballyduff, ludicrously priced at €270,000, while Melrose Cottage, an ideal starter home with large garden, is down from €380,000 to €340,000. Or, there's Joshua's Rest, a quaint cottage on 2.25 acres with planning permission for an extension at €625,000.

The three-bed homes start at around €370,000 (down from €420,000 at the height of the boom) for a tastefully decorated dormer-bungalow, a stroll to the village, at Bel Air. In the same division, at Ashford Downs, close to everything, is a dormer home which is competitively priced at €570,000 down €70,000 on 18 months ago. While, Pine Lodge, a stylish and well-laid out detached four-bed home with a south-facing garden overlooking Mount Usher Gardens is €795,000 (down over €300,000 from the height).

Those interested in something bigger might try Carrig House in Ballylusk, a very private four-bedroom house on 3.5 acres with conservatories and stables. It is two miles from the village and costs €900,000 (down from €1.05 million). Or there is Slanelough House with gardens and paddocks on 12.5 acres which is down from €1.95 million after 11 months to €1.495 million.

And to rent?

Rental prices are steady and supply is moving fast, in line with what McDonnell calls Ashford's "commutability and being a very nice place to live".

A one-bedroom apartment with parking behind the Woodpecker pub is looking for a reasonable €700, while a second-floor apartment with balcony and underground parking at Mount Usher Court, is €950.

Into the two-beds, there's a cosy, renovated mews outside the village, at Ballycullen, for €700. Closer to the village, holiday apartments at Bel Air seem good value at €900 (two-bed) or €1,200 (three-bed). Three-bedrooms at Devil's Glen holiday village look a little classier and better priced at €1,150. And, anyone with a mock-medieval fantasy and €6,500 should consider Glanmore Hall, a five-bed conversion on 11 acres with a large banqueting hall, walled garden and paddocks. Would suit Renaissance bishop with large family and retinue.

Going out?

Three popular pubs with tourist feedback suggesting Ashford House's pub grub has improved significantly. There's also the Ashford Oriental Chinese restaurant and Avoca's Garden Café - although with no toilets on the premises it's a bit much to have to go out in the rain and over the grass to use the little boy's room near the entrance, even if Paul Staurouski (the manager) offers an umbrella for the journey.

Price of a pint

It is €4 in the Chester Beatty Inn.

Good for families?

Not the most conducive early morning commute, with yummy-mummy school taxis to Wicklow and beyond. Children's hospital seems an age away. Primary schools have waiting lists while secondary schools are in Wicklow, Bray or Greystones. Also, the village needs more nursery places with Early Days Montessori School's Ruth Black saying that she is full and has turned away 22 children this year, "I'm nearly booked up for next year and for 2010. I've even taken bookings for children who haven't been born."

What's to do?

Great for the outdoor life - hill-walking, hunting, canoeing, riding and cycling. Then there's Mount Usher Gardens, and Ballyknocken Cookery School (last year's Cordon D'Or International School of the Year).

Home to . . .

Ashford GAA club

Locals say

"It's such a tight-knit community and everybody knows everybody else" (Mary Weir).

"It's terrible there's no cash machine" (John Melia).

"The bypass hasn't been good for passing trade" (Liz Donegan).

"The sewage problem needs to be sorted out - it's holding up development" (Edwin Bradshaw).

"Mature manure for sale" (sign on a pole in Ashford).