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Adamstown, Dublin stands as a symbol of the Celtic Tiger collapse

Once full of promise, the town now lays broke, underpopulated

KERRY O'SHEA,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

Published Monday, May 7, 2012, 7:49 AM

Updated Monday, May 7, 2012, 7:55 AM

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Adamstown housing estate, Dublin

Photo by Google Images

Adamstown, just 15 minutes outside of Dublin, was first developed in the now bygone better times of the Celtic Tiger in order to help alleviate the growing population of Dublin at the time. Now, though, Adamstown, once promised to be a bustling and vibrant suburb, now has only a fraction of what it had initially marketed itself to be.

Petroc Trelawny of BBC News paid a visit to Adamstown and paints a picture of an almost eerily quiet town. The town, which was conceived in 1998 and saw the first properties go on sale in 2006, had high hopes for a population of 25,000 citizens in ten thousand dwellings to start.

Today, though, just over 1,200 homes are occupied in quiet Adamstown.

“Other than a postman, a pair of council workers mending a pavement and a solitary jogger, the place seems empty,” remarks Trelawny about his time in Adamstown.

The town was full of promise, and Trelawny believes that perhaps not all is lost in terms of its future. Adamstown still has to a lot to offer. Situated “a green field site alongside a mainline railway, less than 15 minutes from Dublin and near the trunk road which links the capital with the country's north-west,” the town is fundamentally appealing for business people of Dublin who wish to raise families outside of the city.

Trelawny found particular significance in the train station of Adamstown. A golden placard at the station reads “Adamstown Station - officially opened on 16th April 2007 by An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.” Trelawny recalls April 2007 as “one of the last optimistic months.”

Adamstown certainly started out strong; 330 properties were sold within the first two days of sales, with more than half of them going to first-time buyers. Properties then were going for around €500,000. Today? €215,000.

Promises of 50 shops, nine restaurants and two public houses went unfulfilled. The town now only offers a single convenience store, hairdresser and pizzeria as community facilities.

Despite the underwhelming performance of Adamstown, Trelawny notes the sense of community in the small town. A GAA club, a Cricket club and walking and cycling groups help keep the people of Adamstown busy and communal.

Trelawny remains hopeful though for Adamstown. “Like many aspects of Irish life at present, it is as if a pause button has been pressed. The place waits in an extended holding pattern, but the future is not completely without hope.”

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bobby | Sep 23, 2012, 11:21 AM EDT

allan07 we can you so called British in NI, Plastic Brits.

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DanOLoingsigh | May 14, 2012, 06:30 PM EDT

allan07 - All I was pointing out is that NI is not part of GB, but is part of UK...all NI citizens are British, but can claim Irish citizenship as well...all EU citizens enjoy freedom of movement within the EU...that includes Irish citizens, who are generally made welcome 'on the mainland', perhaps less so in NI...some NI attitudes are best left at home...I think your average Brit has no animosity towards Ireland, North or South...long may it continue...

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allan07 | May 14, 2012, 04:09 PM EDT

@DanOLoingsign the majority of people within Nothern Ireland define themselves as British. I was born in Drumquin, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland and I am 100% British. That will never never change not this side of hell freezing over. Proud to the British from birth till death and no-one will change it. Those in NI whom define themselves as anything different are brain washed. The Republic of Ireland is a failed state and is always at the begging bowl of the EU/IMF or even Britain. GB has recently loaned them £10 billion. They cannot support their own people. Thats why 3000 per month are leaving. Invading other peoples countries. Why should the British give them employment? There are many young unemployed English people in Manchaster, Liverpool and London. Likewise many young unemployed Scottish people in Glasgow and Edinburgh. The Irish got their independence to be free. They have made their bed so they can lie in it. The ROI citizens are not wanted in Britain. As Gordon Brown said "British jobs for British people".

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DanOLoingsigh | May 13, 2012, 06:50 AM EDT

Allan07 – Although NI citizens are ‘British’, NI is not part of GB – It is part of UK of GBNI, the title adopted following formation of the Free State – GB was formed by the union of the Kingdoms of England (which included Wales) and Scotland. The UK was formed when the Kingdom of GB united with the Kingdom of Ireland…Some other complications include the Channel Islands and Isle of Man, not part of the UK, although their citizens are British…both are part of the customs union of the EU, but only the IOM is part of the ‘fiscal’ EU. These quirks are not unique, for historical reasons places like the Greek Mount Athos, Spain’s Canary Islands and Ceuta and Melilla (in Africa!), Germany’s Heligoland Island etc etc. have varying degrees of union both within the member state and the EU…

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allan07 | May 13, 2012, 05:10 AM EDT

@ciaradexy NI is one of four countries within Great Britain. Wikipedia it. Its a bit like saying neither is Wales. NI was listed in the Commonwealth games as a country. Your bigotted opinion does not matter. Your analysis of people whom invaded other peoples countries if so inacurrate its completely a farce. The Irish are leaving the Free state at the rate of 3000 per month. Pot calling the kettle black. No other country has exported its people around the world like the Irish. They have been invading everyone elses countries for hundreds of years. Pre the great famine, after the 1847-50 famine, on the titantic a 100 years ago, before and after both world wars and today the same. They along with other nations stole the land belonging to the native Red Indians in North America. What you fail to state is that in the 5th and 6th Centuries the Irish fled and left for Scotland. (They were termed scotties as they were leaving Ireland, to scout or flee). The people whom moved to Ireland in the 1600's and afterwards are the descents of those whom left Ireland many years before. So by your analysis Barack Obama shouldn't be the President of the US as his father was Kenyan and that makes him half Kenyan and an invader. Your analysis is silly. Your support for Sinn Fein will bring only more death, famine, war and destruction. They know nothing about economics or running a country. Running a terror campaign yes. It will only mean another conflict on a larger scale.

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DanOLoingsigh | May 12, 2012, 07:47 PM EDT

IrelandNorth - Britain is Ireland's main trading partner, but the reverse is not the case...try USA, Germany, France and NLands...with Ireland 5th...

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ciaradexy | May 11, 2012, 11:59 AM EDT

Allan, Im still laughing here. NI isnt a country or a state, is just 'there'! In the ROI we live quite happily with people from all over the world regardless of religion or colour. NI has one of the most divided and segregated societies in the entire world. We might be broke here at the mo but without a doubt we will get back on track. Already engineering firms are opening in Galway and Cork, IT companies are setting up here, Google is expanding along with other massive companies. Unfortunately, with the bad atmosphere that lingers in the air of certain parts of NI, you wont be so lucky. NI will never be prosperous while youre all firebombing each others houses and the houses of migrants who come into your communities. ROI WILL survive and we WILL get through this.

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ciaradexy | May 11, 2012, 05:51 AM EDT

Allan, the Shinners are getting much more support both here and in NI. Not from me by the way. Im not an IRA supporter by any means but you mentioned the IRA helping to ruin the economy of the North? Infairness, if this country wasnt invaded then the IRA would never have formed so I think youll find that it was YOUR people who invaded MY country and cause damage. The IRA would never have happened if it wasnt for the invasion. The prices here and in NI are on a par now so we arent shopping in NI which is why your economy is at a standstill again.You said Ireland is a failed country, well at least we are a country and a state, an independent state rather than a fragment of an Island that is neither wanted by those in GB or the ROI. If they let you go then you will well and truly be f*cked because no one will want you then either.Now I have no issue with NI at all. Infact, I couldnt care less what goes on there as Im not from there but its attitudes like yours thats not doing your 'country' any favours. By the way, you obviously dont consider yourself Irish nor are a yank so why are you even on this site?

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allan07 | May 09, 2012, 03:28 PM EDT

@Bythebay The reason why the US and UK can borrow so much money is simple. The US is the biggest economy in the world at present, Britain have the 6th biggest. So Britain borrowing a trillion pounds is high but the financial markets know that it has assets. Its a bit like Manchester United borrowing £500 million whilst its total cap value is £1.39 billion. The borrowing represents 36% of their total value. So if Shamrock Rovers wishes to borrow £500 million they would be given a polite no and shown the door. If you wanted to borrow £10 million the same. For Alan Sugar or Richard Branston its no problem. @STEVENSTAR your comments about Northern Ireland are incorrect and nasty. Terrorism (IRA/INLA/Sinn Fein) has caused alot of damage to our economy here in Northern Ireland for 40 years. It has been the ROI who has aided and abetted these criminals. People like Charles Haughey whom procured arms with the taxpayers money. Its rich to blame solely the government of NI or indeed Britain. Focus on your own problems first. NI is none of your concern. @ciaradexy only for the prices of goods being cheaper here in NI can the ROI citizens afford to live. Everything in NI is cheaper except petrol and that may change soon with higher taxes planned in the Republic. WE IN NORTHERN IRELAND DONT WANT ANYTHING FROM THE ROI. WE DONT NEED YOUR FAILED COUNTRY. LEAVE US ALONE WE ARE DOING NICELY THANK-YOU. (If we get rid of those left wing shinners!) Left wing politics has failed every state from Russia to Cuba. Disasterous and a waste of time. Even the chinese have realised that.

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ciaradexy | May 08, 2012, 06:55 PM EDT

And i didnt write the post at 3:28pm. Allan, remember who boosted NIs economy when our VAT rate increased and yours decreased? Thats right, we did. And we always have. If people in the ROI didnt shop in NI, NI (which isnt even a state but rather a fraction of a province that no one wants either here or on mainland UK) would have had to shut up shop years ago!

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ciaradexy | May 08, 2012, 06:51 PM EDT

Yes i have 1 brother who lives in New Zealand and 1 sister who lives in Adamstown. Have i mentioned having lots of siblings? I dont think so.

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angrypaddy | May 08, 2012, 03:28 PM EDT

Oh!now Cira has a sister living in Adamstown,Wow a global family lol

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Bythebay | May 08, 2012, 01:27 PM EDT

alan07, regarding failed States, the UK has a national debt of £1 trillion, the US $15 trillion, and both are rising. Ireland never lost an Empire, never suffered any diminution of Naval power, never orchestrated such losses as the Charge of the Light Brigade or the Somme or Gallipoli. Ireland doesn't budget from an allowance from an Exchequer in a different country. There are many countries which are far more appropriate candidates for the title failed states than Ireland.

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ciaradexy | May 08, 2012, 11:31 AM EDT

Who writes this sh1t? My sister lives in Adamstown with her family. The area is thriving! Its full of families. Its only 15 minutes into town on the train and its only another half an hour drive to the Wicklow mountains. Its a perfect location.

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STEVENSTAR | May 08, 2012, 08:21 AM EDT

@@@IrelandNorth | May 08, 2012, 07:38 AM EDT Britain's enlightened self-interest loan to the Irish Government was due to us being her largest trading partner. When seen against the backdrop of inestimable wealth siphoned out of Ireland to absentee English landlords, (not least duing the Famine years), this bilateral loan pales into insignificance - though it could be a first installment in reparation. Ulster/Northern Ireland has been a net recipient of subsidies from the British Exchequer for many years, due to political dysfunction. Since "England has neither eternal friends nor eternal enemies - only eternal interests" (Lord Palmerston), I imagine this is why something is being done about it at last.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> TO ANY BRITISH PEOPLE READING COMMENTS FROM THIS GUY HIS AMERICAN NOT IRISH ..... BUT IM SURE MOST OF YOU HAV GUESSED THAT FROM THE WORDING IN THE COMMENTS AND THE BITTERNESS IN HIS MESSAGES ..

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