Fine old houses and a village bursting with character, make up the heart of Greystones. Relatively new three-beds on the outskirts of the vilage range from £140,000. Four-and five-bed detached new homes cost between £220,000 and £350,00. Period homes start around £200,000.
Drive time
City centre: 18
60-90 mins. Off-peak: 45 minutes.
Roadworks: Leopardstown, where the road widening seems to have ceased and the traffic cones have become permanent.
Traffic lights and roundabouts: over 35.
White-knuckle factor.
Peak-time bottlenecks in Kilmacanogue, Lough linstown, White's Cross, Leopardstown and Donnybrook.
DART/train/bus
The DART starts at Bray so it's initially empty, taking 45 minutes to Tara Street. Two trains run from Greystones in the morning - the 7.50 and 9.37. Feeder buses from Greystones to Bray train station at 7.05 a.m., 7.25, 8, 8.10 and 9 a.m. The DART is extending to Greystones in late 1999.
Enniskerry
One of Wicklow's most popular film locations, this picturesque, rustic village has a decidedly upmarket feel, with its cosy shops, restaurants, gourmet food and wine shops and Powerscourt estate and golf course. In recent years, it has seen considerable development. A good selection of old and new homes are available. New four or five-bed detached houses start at £350,000 to £435,000. Older homes of the same size range from £750,000 to £2 million. There are very few cottages and bungalows available, but they range between £120,000 to £140,000.
Drive time
City Centre: 13 miles
Peak: 45-60 mins. Off-peak: 35 mins
Roadworks: Stillorgan dual carriageway, White's Cross.
Traffic lights and roundabouts: 16-plus.
White-knuckle factor
Long tailbacks from White's Cross traffic lights with on-going roadworks.
DART/bus
Nearest DART stations are at Shankill and Bray. Feeder bus service from Enniskerry to Bray station. No secure car-parking is available at the stations. A single bus route, the 44 to Hawkins Street, takes 60-80 minutes.
Dalkey
House prices are increasing at a rapid rate in fashionable Dalkey. Modern three-bedroom terraced homes now cost around £240,000; larger family homes cost in the region of £400,000 to £600,000, while period seaside houses fetch upwards of £1 million.
Drive time
City Centre: 8 miles
Peak: 60-80 min. Off-peak: 25 mins
Roadworks: New pipe-laying works along Dun Laoghaire sea front.
Traffic lights and roadworks: 17-plus.
White-knuckle factor
Traffic build up through Dun Laoghaire and Monkstown from the ferries. Rock Road congested regularly each day.
DART/bus
DART takes 25 minutes to city centre. Bus: Number 8 takes 45 minutes to 60 minutes to reach the city centre.
