Open House Event: The Evolution of Neighbourhoods: From Garden Suburbs to Community Courts

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is proud to present "The Evolution of Neighbourhoods" a public event on 17 October in Dún Laoghaire, exploring the dynamic story of Irish suburban housing from the mid-20th century to the present. Featuring leading voices in architecture, heritage, and community engagement, the event unpacks how the spaces we live in have shaped, and been shaped by, our values, policies, and aspirations.

From the carefully planned "building in the garden" ethos of the 1970s to the lived experiences of communities five decades later, this event offers an architectural lens on Irish suburbia, layered with the real stories of those who call it home. It also invites reflection on the legacy of 1970s public housing, how it fostered community identity, shaped social cohesion, and what its future might hold amid changing social and environmental priorities.

Speakers and Highlights include;

• John McLaughlin, Architect – "Building in the Garden: The Emergence of Irish Suburban Housing Design": McLaughlin explores the legacy of Irish residential architecture, from the garden suburb ideals to the ubiquity of the semi-detached home.
• Deirdre Black, dlr Heritage Officer – "Public Housing from the 1970s: Its Legacy and Future": A thought-provoking look at how mid-to-late 20th century housing shaped place-making and community in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, and what these estates might mean to future generations.
• Bernadette Jackson – "Celebrating 50 Years of Hillview": A reflection on community, change, and continuity in one of DLR's enduring suburban estates.
• Ed Carroll, Blue Drum – "Loughlinstown Courts Mapping - a Faro Convention Case Study": Highlighting arts-based approaches to memory and identity in suburban spaces.

Councillor Jim Gildea, Cathaoirleach, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said:

“Our neighbourhoods tell a powerful story, not just of bricks and mortar, but of belonging, resilience, and shared values. This event is an invitation to reflect on how housing policy, design, and community action have helped shape the fabric of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown for over half a century.”

Frank Curran, Chief Executive, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council added:

“From the garden suburb principles of the mid-20th century to today’s calls for sustainable, inclusive communities, we continue to evolve in how we build and support neighbourhoods. This event helps us understand where we’ve come from, and where we might go next.”

With rising awareness of housing, sustainability, and community infrastructure, this event brings timely reflection on the successes, challenges, and lessons of Ireland’s post-war suburban expansion. The 1970s saw the dominance of the semi-detached house, with housing stock shaped by welfare state principles and the deeply rooted Irish attachment to land ownership. While these developments offered home ownership to many, modern Irish suburbia often lacked planning cohesion, basic services, and long-term sustainability. The discussion will also consider the social environments within these neighbourhoods, how physical design impacted community interaction and residents’ well-being, as well as how local initiatives continue to nurture resilience and identity. ‘The Evolution of Neighbourhoods’ discussion is part of the Open House Dublin architecture festival taking place 11-19 October 2025.

Date: Friday 17 October

Venue: County Hall, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin, A96K6C9

Time: 15.30 – 17.00

Free entry. Pre-booking is required through the Open House Dublin website https://openhousedublin.com/locations/the-evolution-of-neighbourhoods-conversation/

A listing of all other events arranged for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown is available at Open House Dublin 2025 | Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council