Work begins on 124 new houses for Kimmage

Dublin, 29 November 1922 – The first sod was turned on a new housing development in Dublin which will deliver 124 houses in the Kimmage Road area of the Rathmines and Rathgar Council.

Situated opposite Mount Argus on the southerly side of the Kimmage Road with open country to the west and south, the sod-turning ceremony was performed by the chairman of the local council, William Ireland.

The scheme will consist of different categories of housing, but the great majority of the new properties – 96 houses – consist of a living room with three bedrooms and will cost an average of £600. Each house, irrespective of its category, will have a large scullery, pantry, coalhouse, a w.c. and space to accommodate a bath.

The houses are designed in pairs with plenty of air space and with a view to maximising the amount of natural light.

Mr Ireland paid tribute to the work of the Housing Committee, but also to W.T. Cosgrave who, he said, had shown much interest in the scheme. The site, Mr Ireland remarked to applause, was salubrious, elevated, capable of perfect drainage and was set in glorious scenic surrounds.

Dr Jacinta Prunty reflects on the 1914 Dublin Housng Report 

[Editor's note: This is an article from Century Ireland, a fortnightly online newspaper, written from the perspective of a journalist 100 years ago, based on news reports of the time.]