Focus Housing Association begins construction of social homes at Ratoath Road, Cabra in the heart of North Dublin

The highly anticipated landmark project, at the 2.03-hectare site in Cabra, North Dublin will be delivered on Dominican Sisters lands off Ratoath Road in Cabra, Dublin 7. The Dominican sisters generously gifted the land to Focus Housing Association will be delivered in collaboration with Dublin City Council, Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage, the Housing Finance Agency.

In total, 95 A2-Rated social homes will be completed and will comprise of: 14X2-bedroom apartments, 21X2-bedroom apartments, 13X2-bed duplex, 13X3 bed duplex and 1X4-bed duplex dwellings across five three-storey blocks.
The development will also include two community rooms for future tenant use and considerable public open space of over 7,300m², including a public green area and children’s play space.

Speaking at the ceremony, Pat Dennigan, CEO of Focus Ireland, said: “Focus Housing Association is honoured today to deliver Blackbird Park in due course. This represents our largest housing scheme to date, and, I’m privileged to say developed and designed by Focus Housing Association with support and guidance from ABK Architect’s, and A2 Architects and JFOC Architects.

These energy-efficient, sustainable, and high-quality homes will be provided to families and individuals most in need and is only possible because of the generous donation of land received from the Dominican Sisters, Cabra to Focus Housing Association.

This year, marks Focus Ireland 40th Anniversary, however, we don’t see it as something to celebrate when so many people are affected by the current housing situation and upward challenges of homelessness in our society. Therefore, developments like Blackbird Park are the type of scheme helping us meet our new build social housing delivery targets and allowing us to strengthen social cohesion and grow community life for long-term homeless families and individuals struggling to find a place to call home.

In every town and city nationwide, there is under-utilised land in urban and built-up areas including empty, derelict buildings of which could be used to relieve significant housing demand and help bring lasting resolution to the housing shortages. If used well, they can be a source of urban renewal and value for the surrounding community.”

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne
Speaking at the sod-turning at Blackbird Park Minister for Housing, James Browne said, “I’m delighted to be here today in the constituency of Dublin Central to turn the sod at this important housing scheme which showcases the positive impact of environmental regeneration can have on our housing situation.

As we work towards addressing the challenges, to resolving and increase the supply of housing, all forms of housing an achieving the targets outlined under a new Housing for All plan, developments such as The Blackbird Park site in Ratoath Road, Cabra will alleviate some of the pressure on the housing market and provide quality and sustainable homes for families, young people and the wider community through CALF,PAA,HFA funds.

I want to commend Focus Housing Association and Focus Ireland, who, working with the State – at local authority level with Dublin City Council, with the Housing Finance Agency and with my own Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, have been able to get this development over the line. Partnership and cooperation with approved housing bodies (AHBs), such as Focus Housing Association, is vital as we improve delivery speed and work to meet new Housing for All targets.”

Lord Mayor of Dublin, Emma Blain

Lord Mayor of Dublin, Emma Blain said, “Dublin City Council is delighted to support and work with Focus Ireland and Focus Housing Association to deliver these much-needed homes, which will provide secure, permanent housing for individuals and families in a wonderful part of the city.”

Conclusion

When complete, Blackbird Park will represent 95 homes to families and individuals most in need, many of whom have been stuck on Dublin City Council’s social housing waiting list for many years. They are set to become part of a vibrant and inclusive community, close to wonderful community schools and other amenities such as hospitals, community sports and recreational facilities.

At Focus Ireland we say every project makes a difference, every donation counts, every home delivered changes lives. Each success brings us closer to our goal—ensuring that every person in this country has the right to a secure, decent quality home, and a great place to live. In so doing, our team is proud to be actively involved in shaping the future of housing in Ireland, providing high-quality homes that will make a real difference to people’s lives.

Further information:

For further information or to request comment from Focus Ireland, please contact:
Focus Housing Association:
Ellen Gentry, Communications Officer
ellen.gentry@focusireland.ie | 086 2046567.

Notes to Editors:

About the development

Blackbird Park is conveniently located next to the Dominican Campus with access onto the Ratoath Road, Cabra is a large inner suburb on the northwest of the city centre. The site is within a well-established residential area serviced by public transport, educational facilities, retail and a host of amenities.

The 95 new homes and 2 community rooms will be accommodated in a number of three storey brick terraces that hug the edge of Blackbird Park that make a generous green space with playground at the core of this housing project.

Focus Housing Association are the main developer and designer of this build with support and guidance from the main contractor, Duggan Brothers who will work with ABK Architects for the construction phase. Along with JFOC & A2 Architects for the conclusion of the tender stage – (there is no developer this is a Focus Housing Association design and build project).

Blackbird Park was a greenfield site and kindly donated to Focus Housing Association by the Dominican Sisters. The site was vacant and undeveloped extending to 2.03 hectares.
Sustainable Living.

The homes will be A2 energy rated and will have a dual aspect. The use of modern construction means of insulated concrete formwork and brick tiles are being employed. Exchange heat pumps will be utilised as the renewable energy source for heating.

The development will provide 2 community rooms intended for the use of both our tenants and the wider community/community groups. There will also be high quality public realm spaces throughout the scheme including a generous central green space at the centre of the housing project for people’s well-being. The area has a number of primary and post primary schools, and close to local amenities and services such as hospitals, extensive community, sports and recreational facilities that will also benefit tenants and the local community relationships. The area is serviced by bus, rail and Luas.

Notes for Editor

A door-step media opportunity with Minister of Housing, James Browne is being organised by his office – Daniel English, Communications Manager (Housing for All)
Email: Daniel.English@housing.gov.ie

About Focus Housing Association
Focus Housing Association is the Approved Housing Body (AHB) arm of Focus Ireland. As of the end of January 2025, we had over 1,700 properties under our management. These homes were delivered in partnership with the Department of Housing and Heritage, The Housing Finance Agency, other AHB partnerships and supporters.

Focus Housing Association firmly believes that ‘everyone has a right to a place they can call home’ and ‘a home is a safe place to build and become part of community life’.

Focus Housing Association applies the Housing First and the Meascán housing models, supporting more sustainable social living within our communities in areas where there is a high demand for social homes. The Meascán approach allows Focus Housing Association to become more active in building housing developments while maintaining the good practice of providing ‘scatter site’ housing and social integration for people moving out of homelessness which is in line with our core values of inclusive social responsibility, and economically resourceful when it comes to building for our communities. ENDS