Four Dun Laoghaire delights

Longford Terrace

Longford Terrace

Unquestionably the grandest of all the terraces, dating from the mid-19th century onwards and attributed by Frederick O'Dwyer, at least in part, to John Skipton Mulvany. On a palatial scale and still blessedly intact.

Brighton Vale

Earlier than Longford Terrace and particularly charming because of its seafront location. The houses are double-fronted with large bay windows on the principal floor and granite steps leading up to the front door; some properties retain their original decorative ironwork along the roofline.

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Belgrave Square

The south side was the first part developed, in the 1840s, with eight massive houses (two now occupied by Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann) built in the neo-classical style. These are probably the finest such extant work done during the period, thanks to the graceful quality of the Grecian decoration carried out on both the exteriors and interiors.

Crosthwaite Park

The west side is infinitely more impressive than that facing across the square on the east. Begun around 1860 and therefore somewhat later than many of the other terraces, the houses would look perfectly at home in London's South Kensington, rising three storeys over basement and distinguished by wonderfully elaborate doorframes.