Cabra - Ratoath Rd (south of Fassagh ave) - Property purchase opinion

LucianBelmau

Hi all,

My wife and I are currently interested in purchasing a property on Ratoath Rd, just south of the roundabout with Nephin Rd/Fassaugh Ave. The house is a well maintained mid-terrace and has been tastefully extended. It was being rented previously and is now vacant, and seems to be in very good condition (pre-surveyor inspection tho). Got to speak with neighbours on both sides and they all seem to be quite happy, say the area is nice and quiet. Shops nearby, luas a 10-minute walk, big Tesco & Iceland down on the Navan Rd. Not a lot of cafés and restaurants on the Cabra side -- plus that eyesore of the hopefully-to-be soon-demolished Cabra House/Oasis pub -- but there's a nice bakery/coffee place on the other side of the Navan road, a 10-minute walk. I quite like it and I think we could get it for a reasonable price. A lot of development in the area too, with the Hamilton gardens apartments almost finished & an Aldi opening soon as well. However, I know Cabra West has a 'reputation'. We are a child-free couple of professionals who work & socialise mainly in town, both originally from outside of Ireland (Italian & Argentine). Personally, I grew up in a large working-class neighbourhood in Rome, so I'm not particularly fussy, but my wife is still concerned about the area. I would like honest opinions from people who genuinely live/have lived in the area in the last 5 years (post-LUAS), so please refrain from hearsay "I had a mate who lived there in the 90s" or "Cabra is a kip/Cabra is grand" comments which I will automatically ignore.

In particular, I would like an opinion on these points:

1. Cabra West looks like an area with some history of gangland crime (2 shootings in the early 10s), which however in the last 10 years seems to have somehow subsided. I couldn't find any news related to gangland crime from the last few years. Has there been any minor assault/gang violence episode in the area recently which has not been reported in the news?

2. My understanding is also that the Rathoad Rd south of Fassagh Ave is generally quieter and nicer, with the usual caveats related to this being a generalisation and all. Is this impression true?

3. The small complex of senior citizens' flats on the roundabout seems quiet enough and neighbours have confirmed them to be so. Has there been any anti-social behaviour or other types of not exactly desirable activity related to the flats in the last few years?

4. Would you say it'd be safe for my wife to walk home at night (let's say last Luas back at the weekend) from the Broombridge Luas to the Ratoath Rd through Broombridge Rd, Fassaugh Ave and Ratoath Rd?

5. I've spent some evenings in front of the local shops and even though they don't look posh, they seemed quiet enough. A bit of teens around but nothing too dodgy. Is this impression correct?

6. I am quite fascinated by the McGrath's pub on Fassaugh ave. Tried to walk in once and was put off by being the only non-local and the 'all eyes on me' vibe, and immediately left. Also a lot of cigarette butts in front of the pub. The pub is also not on google maps, interestingly. However, I do follow their page on Instagram and while not super-active, it seems to be a regular local with karaoke nights, live music, and even a book club. I hate having elitist, classist prejudices so I wonder was that just an impression or is it really a place to avoid (dangerous)?

I am well aware no one will be able to give me full certainty regarding my prospective purchase, but it would be nice to hear genuine opinions from locals in the area. I really like Cabra and I am only trying to make sure this really is the right choice for both of us.

Thank you very much in advance. If this post can be merged with a previous one, I apologise in advance and please go ahead and do so.

Its a bit of a shitole. Go down at night around the area and have a look.

PSFarrell

Its definately improving as an area. I find that there are some houses quite run down looking which is not so appealing.There are groups of teens hanging around who give off a bad vibe. See them throwing things at buses etc. I remember when the Cabra house was open and that gave off a serious locals only vibe. Not sure off other pubs.

Claw Hammer

Cabra is a transitional area. It was settled as a large council estate in the 1940s slum clearances. Like many such areas a criminal element operates there. Things are changing due in part to the TUD at Grangegorm and and the Luas extension as well as the gentrification of Stoneybatter. It will be a slow process and could be 25 years before the transition from rough to settled is achieved.

absolutegroove

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058275906/cabra-ratoath-rd-south-of-fassagh-ave-property-purchase-opinion

I bought in Cabra about eight years ago near the area where you are taking about. It was great value at that time and all I could afford (plus it was close to siblings).

I personally have heard of no break-ins, fights, robberies etc

There are a few gangs of kids that torment the McD’s and Tescos every now and again.

As a location it is great for getting into town (you can walk it if you have to in about forty minutes) and to the M50.

I socialise mainly in the City Centre although I do wish there was a few more cafes etc

The only issue I have had is a neighbour parking across my driveway (for some reason they thought they owned that space).

All in all I am happy here and very lucky compared to some of friends who have bought far outside of Dublin and have a long commute.

JohnnyChimpo

My house is on the east side of Cabra so not exactly as local a response as you'd like, but I spend a lot of time up that end because my mates live around the corner from your prospective house, I go to the big Tesco on the Navan Rd. for my shopping, go running all around Broombridge and Fassaugh Avenue, etc.

. Cabra West looks like an area with some history of gangland crime (2 shootings in the early 10s), which however in the last 10 years seems to have somehow subsided. I couldn't find any news related to gangland crime from the last few years. Has there been any minor assault/gang violence episode in the area recently which has not been reported in the news?

Almost certainly. From what I can tell they keep it amongst themselves though.

2. My understanding is also that the Rathoad Rd south of Fassagh Ave is generally quieter and nicer, with the usual caveats related to this being a generalisation and all. Is this impression true?

Yeah, all across Cabra, Fassaugh Avenue seems to be the dividing line, where North of this it gets a little bit more rundown and there are more bored teenagers hanging around with little to do.

3. The small complex of senior citizens' flats on the roundabout seems quiet enough and neighbours have confirmed them to be so. Has there been any anti-social behaviour or other types of not exactly desirable activity related to the flats in the last few years?

Don't know about that I'm afraid

4. Would you say it'd be safe for my wife to walk home at night (let's say last Luas back at the weekend) from the Broombridge Luas to the Ratoath Rd through Broombridge Rd, Fassaugh Ave and Ratoath Rd?

It would probably feel a bit intimidating coming back on the last Luas down that stretch of road. I would happily do it anytime day or night but I'm a large beardy man. I don't think anything would actually happen, but if I were you I would probably meet her at the Luas stop for peace of mind (and brownie points). It's really down to her own level of personal comfort, though.

5. I've spent some evenings in front of the local shops and even though they don't look posh, they seemed quiet enough. A bit of teens around but nothing too dodgy. Is this impression correct?

Never seen any hassle outside there myself. I've seen people dealing drugs but they weren't making a big show of it. Probably just some lads on bikes hanging around outside and throwing chips at each other, that kinda thing. What the last poster said about youngsters hanging around outside the McD's is also true, but again never had a bit of hassle off them.

6. I am quite fascinated by the McGrath's pub on Fassaugh ave. Tried to walk in once and was put off by being the only non-local and the 'all eyes on me' vibe, and immediately left. Also a lot of cigarette butts in front of the pub. The pub is also not on google maps, interestingly. However, I do follow their page on Instagram and while not super-active, it seems to be a regular local with karaoke nights, live music, and even a book club. I hate having elitist, classist prejudices so I wonder was that just an impression or is it really a place to avoid (dangerous)?

I haven't been in, but I'm pretty sure it's a kip. I'm guessing ever since the Cabra House (known locally as The Oasis) shut down, all the hard cases would have migrated down that way. I could be wrong there, but in your position I would give it a miss and spend the extra couple of minutes to walk to the Homestead or Hanlon's Corner, or even just slightly further down to Hynes' and the rest of Stoneybatter which are all lovely pubs (even the Clarke City Arms nowadays).

Overall, I think you're describing an extremely safe area with a big park across the road and a number of amenities. It's definitely lacking a nice central village area, but if you don't think you'd feel like you're too far away from the action, then it's a good spot.