Minister O’Brien officially opens 31-home age-friendly development in Lusk

On Friday 27th September, Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Brian McDonagh welcomed Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien to Lusk for the official opening of Kilhedge Gardens, a new housing development delivered by Tuath Housing Association in partnership with Fingal County Council. 

Kilhedge Gardens is an age-friendly scheme providing 31 new single-story homes. The development – delivered through direct build by Tuath on land owned by Fingal County Council – consists of 18 two-bedroom and 13 one-bedroom homes, with an additional communal facility area for residents. The new homes were funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage via the Capital Assistance Scheme, a funding mechanism for the delivery of homes for priority groups such as older persons. The architects for the project were Walsh Associates and the main contractor was M.L Quinn Construction. 

In 2010, Tuath delivered its first homes in partnership with Fingal County Council at Garristown, Northwest Fingal and has since delivered over a 1000 homes in the County. With over 1,200 homes currently in the pipeline for the Council area, Tuath continues to work closely with the local authority. Tuath currently manages over 14,000 homes nationwide in every local authority area, housing some 37,000 people. 

Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Brian McDonagh said: “It gives me great pleasure to see this top-notch development from Tuath being opened to help deliver much needed age-appropriate homes for older people in our community. This is a superb new build in the heart of Lusk and I wish the residents all the very best in their new homes.” 

Minister for Housing, Local Government & Heritage Darragh O’Brien, who turned the sod on the development in February 2023 commented: ‘’Today’s launch of 31 safe and secure homes for older persons is most welcome here in Fingal. Kilhedge Gardens includes both a communal facility for residents and close proximity to Lusk town centre – this scheme lives up to the ambition of Housing for All by successfully delivering high-quality, well-located homes that prioritise not only the safety and comfort of older persons but also economic, social, and environmental sustainability.’’ 

Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly, noted: “We are delighted to partner with Tuath and the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage on these new homes and associated facilities for older people. This scheme allows us to move tenants, currently living in larger homes, to accommodation that is more appropriate to their current needs.” 

Prof. Paddy Gray, Chair of Tuath’s Voluntary Board of Directors said: “The provision of age-appropriate housing is an important aspect of Tuath’s delivery programme. As an age-friendly organisation, we are delighted to work in partnership with Fingal County Council on these 31 homes for older persons and the 1,200 homes in the development pipeline for the area. I would also like to thank the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for their support, with funding provided through the Capital Assistance Scheme.”