Dun Laoghaire ? The Best Place to Live in Ireland

I have being lucky enough to live in some choice locations in my time but I?ve never felt more at home than I do in Dun Laoghaire. I?m a resident of old Kingstown for seven years now and consider myself lucky as a Lotto winner to have an address here.
In terms of amenities and facilities, DL has more than enough to meet the demands of daily living. The place seems to have two of everything: two colleges, two shopping centres, two public parks, two piers. Not to forget a copious amount of quality restaurants, bars, cafes antique and other interesting shops. Transport wise, the DART station will leave you in the city centre in 20 minutes and the local bus service is both frequent and reliable. We are well served culturally with our very own Pavilion Theatre, dance theatre, multi-screen cinema and maritime museum. There?s an excellent farmers? market in the People?s Park every weekend, a new state-of-the art library and cultural centre is on the way, the public baths were freshly painted recently and we have an excellent modern sports centre in the borough.
Special mention must go the council for their recent refurbishment of the promenade area, newly rechristened The Pavilion Quarter. Here you?ll find a host of excellent eateries with new paving and seating areas and an imaginative nautical-based playground to keep the kids entertained. Super- sized canvas brollies protect diners from the Irish climate and the whole area is attractively lit up at night by gently glowing pink lanterns. It?s a big improvement on the old space with the much maligned ?rusty sculpture? replaced by something much more pleasing on the eye.
When the pace of life gets too frantic, you can get away from it with a long walk along one of the aforementioned piers. A stroll and meditative glance across the Irish Sea has a restorative effect on the soul; clearing the mind and recharging the batteries for the battles ahead. There?s also the delight of a Teddy?s ice cream stand (the best ice cream in south Dublin) at the end of the western pier.
One of the joys of moving into a new location is exploring your immediate surroundings. Soon after my arrival, I came across Royal Terrace, Clarinda Park and Crosthwaite Park East and West. These are some of the best preserved period residencies in the country and they are literally on my doorstep. Surrounded by private parks with each house facing onto the green, I never tire of admiring these charming Victorian squares with their wrought iron gates, canted bay windows and sturdy stairwells to the front door.
Sitting snugly between the bright lights of Dublin city and the beauty of Killiney Bay, Dun Laoghaire is a small harbour town which punches well above its weight. It is a place that is both relaxing and stimulating with a great many things to do and a great mix of people. Best place in Ireland? I certainly wouldn?t swop it for anywhere.

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