Site Visits
All the site visits below are now available to book through the registration system platform. If you have already registered just log back into your account and add the site visits to your registration. If you haven't registered yet, you will need to create an account, register and add the site visits during the registration process.
If you click on the Eircode in any of the site descriptions below, you will be brought to Google maps and the location should already be pre-loaded for you. Please note: The start times refer to the latest time you should be at the specified meeting point.
Boland's Mills - Housing for key workers
Wednesday June 4th | Start Time: 14.15
This tour will tell the story of Boland's Mill, focusing on how this historic location has been revitilised into a modern campus providing both a home to one of the world's largest tech companies and also local key workers. Clúid wil unfold the story of the successful partnerhsip with Google to provide housing, highlight the human experience of the new residents, and explore how innovative solutions to address Ireland's housing challenge can be found.
More Information:
Meeting Point: Outside the Grain Store, Boland's Mill Barrow Street.
Address / Eircode: D04V6H0
Getting There: Walking Distance
Travel time from CCD: 15 minutes
Triangle Atop Square
Wednesday June 4th | Start Time: 14.50
Get creative while learning about the only social-housing experiement of its kind in Ireland. Delegates will be taken on an interactive, creative guided tour of the estates, before returning to the Darndale Belcamp Village Centre Building to create responsive art together. This event is suitable for all ages.
More Information:
Meeting Point: Darndale Belcamp Village Centre, The Link Rd, Darndale Village, Darndale
Address / Eircode: D17 E027
Getting There: Public Transport
Travel time from CCD: 50 minutes
Social Housing Delivery Opportunity in Tight Inner City Location
Wednesday June 4th | Start Time: 14.30
The development is located in a tight urban infill site. Located at the end of a lane serving commercial premises and surrounded by a large student residence on one side and residential apartments on two other sides. The development is presented as a good example of the opportunities available in the inner city which can deliver high quality social housing solutions. The challenges of delivery and construction v the benefits will form part of the tour discussion.
More Information:
Meeting Point: Meeting Point on site. The Sorrento Chip Shop will be a recognisable landmark at the top of the lane. We will be there and clearly visible with Dublin Simon Community branding to meet delegates.
Address / Eircode: D07FY9N
Getting There: Public Transport
Travel time from CCD: 30 minutes
Shanganagh Castle Estate
Wednesday June 4th | Start Time: 15.30
Shanganagh Castle Estate, Shankill, Dublin 18 is a landmark affordable housing development delivered by The Land Development Agency in partnership with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and contractors Walls Construction.
This site was originally purchased by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (DLR) for the development of housing and a Local Area Plan was developed by DLR to support the strategic development of the Shanganagh/Woodbrook area. A concept design was advanced by DLR Architects, followed by a partnership with the LDA.
The first phase of 51 Affordable Purchase houses, 195 cost rental apartments and 35 social apartments was delivered in 2024, with the remaining 316 homes to be made available in 2025.
The development, which is the LDA’s first direct delivery project on State land, is the largest public housing project in decades and was delivered on time and on budget.
The 546 apartments are all designed and built to Passive House standard, making Shanganagh Castle Estate the largest passive house development in Europe
More Information:
Meeting Point: Shanganagh Castle Estate entrance.
Address / Eircode: D18 EC8P
Getting There: Public Transport
Travel time from CCD: 1 hour
Respond Delivers Large Scale Mixed Tenure Housing Developments
Wednesday June 4th | Start Time: 14.00
Site visits to two large scale mixed tenure schemes being delivered by Respond in collaboration with Housebuilders - Cairn Homes and Bluemont. The schemes are being delivered for social and cost rental homes and funded by Department of Housing, Housing Agency and The Housing FInance Agency. The first scheme comprises of 422 homes and communal facilities at Hole in the Wall Road and utilises modern methods of construction. The second scheme consists of 590 homes and communal facilities; this scheme being delivered through Cairn Homes is currently the largest passive house scheme under construction in Europe. Both schemes are being delivered by Respond under its bespoke site acquisition and development agreement, which faciliates construction. Both schemes are part of the large scale schemes being delivered by Respond and as part of the activation of dormant large-scale apartment planning permissions. Respond has worked closely with the Department of Housing and The Housing Finance Agency to assess and improve viability of apartment building and in specific delivery of cost rental homes.
More Information:
Meeting Point: The Foyer, Convention Centre Dublin.
Address / Eircode: D11 HKF4 (Pipers Square, Charlestown, Dublin 11) - Second Site
Getting There: Private transfer
Travel time from CCD: 30 minutes
Sophia Housing, Sean McDermott Street
Wednesday June 4th | Start Time: 14.20
Sophia Sean McDermott Street is a long term supported housing project specifically for couples. All couples living in the service have addiction and mental health support needs. Each couple have their own individual apartment but there are staff on site 24/7 to ensure the safety of the residents and the building
More Information:
Meeting Point: On site in the Sophia service, 62 Sean McDermott Street, Dublin 1
Address / Eircode: D01AH97
Getting There: Walking Distance
Travel time from CCD: 20 minutes
The Bond
Wednesday June 4th | Start Time: 14.20
Oliver Bond House is the oldest social housing development in the country, built in the 1930s. It is presently undergoing a painstakingly slow regeneration process. Community of 404 units, over 12,000 residents, in the heart of the Liberties on the premier tourist trail in the country. It is a lesson in deliberate neglect, non-investment, and alienation of the working class. It has been devastated by drugs and young community members are ignored.
More Information:
Meeting Point: Travel to site and meet at Bridgefoot Street Park across from Oliver Bond House, then walk in together
Address / Eircode: D08 A89W
Getting There:
Travel time from CCD: 20 mins
Cost Rental Apartments, Tallaght
Wednesday June 4th | Start Time: 14.45
Design Innovation: Through innovative design & the use of modern methods of construction (MMC) SDCC has delivered a contemporary development of 133 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments in two podium blocks along with interconnecting three-bedroom homes. The scheme was delivered availing of a precast 2D MMC system which streamlined the programme and on site operations.
Tenure: Addressing national and local housing goals, the project enhances rental tenure security, moderates market pricing, and is driving town centre regeneration. The project forms part of an ambitious regeneration masterplan for the Tallaght Town Centre and its extension into existing brown field industrial lands- that have the potential for 11,000 new homes and 15,000 jobs.
Sustainability: The new homes are connected to the innovative South Dublin District Heating Scheme; Heatwork’s which utilises waste heat from a nearby data centre to provide low-carbon space and water heating. This project also advances a Vienna-style public housing model, ensuring well-maintained public housing assets that will yield significant ongoing social benefit
More Information:
Meeting Point: South Dublin County Council, County Hall, Belgard Square North, Dublin 24
Address / Eircode: D24 A3XC
Getting There: Public Transport
Travel time from CCD: 45 minutes
Daisyhouse - Addiction Recovery Housing site visit
Wednesday June 4th | Start Time: 14.35
Daisyhouse would be honored to welcome delegates from the International Social Housing Festival, offering them a firsthand look at our transformative work in providing long-term supported housing for women experiencing homelessness. This visit will showcase our person-centered approach, emphasising empowerment, independence, and sustainable housing solutions.
More Information:
Meeting Point: Daisy House
Address / Eircode: D08T1W2
Getting There: Public Transport - Red Line 292
Travel time from CCD: 35 minutes
Ellis Court
Wednesday June 4th | Start Time: 14.30
The event comprises a talk and site visit of Ellis Court, a historic, listed building which stretches back to 1880 and is Dublin City Council’s first public housing development. In 2005, fire gutted the building and left it vacant for twenty years in an area of high housing need. An ambitious refurbishment campaign led to Ellis Court reopening in 2022, marking a milestone for the city. It combines the goal of providing much needed homes, with the need to reduce urban dereliction, while also adopting sustainable building approaches to preserve its unique architectural features, as well as the rich history & heritage of this part of the city.
More Information:
Meeting Point: Ellis Court, Benburb Street, Dublin 7
Getting There: Public Transport or Walking: Delegates can take the red line Luas from the CCD to the Museum stop and then walk a short distance to the venue. The site can also be reached from the CCD on foot
Travel time from CCD: 45 minutes
A Community Struggle and the story of Regeneration at St. Micheal's
Wednesday June 4th | Start Time: 14.45
This 2.5-hour site visit will take delegates to the south inner city of Dublin to visit the site of St. Micheal's Estate in Inchicore. St. Michael’s Regeneration team was set up in 2001 to support, advocate, and work with residents during the complexity of regeneration. It comprises of local residents, workers from key local projects, community workers and an academic from TU Dublin. Some of the team have been working in and committed to this area and its regeneration from the start and as a result have amassed a huge amount of experience and knowledge. Delegates on this site visit will hear that story.
More Information:
Meeting Point: St.Micheal's Family Resouce Centre CDP. Flat 64, Tyrone Place Flats, St.Vincents Street West, DUBLIN 8
Address / Eircode: D08 YN12
Getting There: Public Transport
Travel time from CCD: 45 minutes
The Evolution of Rent Levels and Rent Regulation in Ireland since 2007
Wednesday June 4th | Start Time: 14.45
RTB has the most authoritive data on the rental sector in Ireland and will give an overview of the evolution of rent regulation and the organisation since 2007. Office located in the heart of Dublin City close to the conference venue with great views of the city.
More Information:
Meeting Point: Meet at the RTB office
Address / Eircode: D02 RR99
Getting There: Walking Distance
Travel time from CCD:
40 Years of Progress: Focus Ireland's Journey in Housing and Homelessness
Wednesday June 4th | Start Time: 17.30
The group will meet at Stanhope Green and learn about the history of the site, various the projects that run from there now and the organisation's approach to delivering supported housing. The group will then walk to a second Focus development at Georges Hill in Dublin 7 which was also originally a convent but also operated as a secondary school for many years. From there the group will walk back to the Focus Head Office in High Street Dublin 8 for refreshments, pausing at our John's Lane West development of 31 A rated homes that was completed in 2019. Focus Ireland was established in 1985 with a distinct and pioneering vision. Its first service, the 'Coffee Shop', combined access to affordable, nutritious meals with advice, information, and engagement with case workers. Unlike many organisations formed in response to homelessness at the time, Focus Ireland did not prioritise the development of emergency shelters. Instead, it very early on set a course towards providing long-term housing solutions, coupled with the necessary supports.
A significant milestone on this journey was the conversion of a former convent at Stanhope Green into more than 70 homes. Initiated in 1986, the project welcomed its first tenants in 1991. Notably, this was one of the first initiatives to provide permanent homes for disadvantaged individuals under the newly introduced Capital Acquisition Scheme (CAS), a state funding mechanism. The Stanhope Green project also presented a number of architectural challenges, which are of considerable interest. Particularly noteworthy is the evolution of the service from a broadly institutional model—with communal food provision—towards a model that supports independent living.
Today, Focus Housing has grown to become one of Ireland’s largest Approved Housing Bodies, providing over 1,700 homes for people who have experienced homelessness, many of whom continue to require varying levels of support.
During this site visit, the presentation will explore Focus Ireland and Focus Housing’s innovation and delivery across several key dimensions:
Innovative approaches to delivering social housing, including the conversion of former convents, ‘pepper-pot’ acquisitions of individual units, medium-scale construction projects, and the introduction of the Meascán Model promoting intentional social mix;
-The critical role of housing support, spanning from supported housing to the Housing First approach;
-The formal legal relationship between Focus Housing Association and Focus Ireland, outlining the distinction and collaboration between the housing and support functions;
-Developments in funding models over time, reflecting how the organisation has adapted to changes in state support and financial structures;
-The contribution of the Focus Ireland model towards the broader aim of ending homelessness in Ireland.
More Information:
Meeting Point: Stanhope Green, Dublin 7.
Address / Eircode: D07 THH3
Getting There: Public Transport
Travel time from CCD: 30 minutes
Making Standard Designs Special: four social housing projects delivered through offsite construction methods (MMC)
Wednesday June 4th | Start Time: 14.15
Levitt Bernstein, in partnership with ABK Architects, led the design and delivery of 261 social homes as part of Dublin City Council’s Rapid-Build Housing Programme across four sites in Dublin.
These developments were developed using an off-site construction approach (MMC) to embrace the efficiencies, sustainability benefits, and high-quality finishes that this methodology offers. MMC construction often results in standardised designs that lack a contextual response to their surroundings or the communities who will inhabit them. These projects were specifically designed to demonstrate how a series of standardised house and apartment typologies can be tailored to respond to a wide range of urban contexts— from dense inner-city locations, to low-rise buildings in a suburban setting, to sensitive sites next to a historic urban park.
Through a 2-day programme, delegates will be able to visit all four sites: Bonham Court, Weaver Place, Springvale Grove and Bunratty Walk. With these visits, we aim to showcase how off-site construction methods can provide site sensitive, scalable solutions to the current housing crisis, creating sustainable, comfortable, accessible, and beautiful homes.
More Information:
Meeting Point: 13-1 Bonham St, The Liberties
Address / Eircode: D08 N9RK
Getting There: Public Transport
Travel time from CCD:
De Verdon Place: challenges and opportunities in mixed tenure housing
Wednesday June 4th | Start Time:
De Verdon Place on the Malahide Road is a mixed-tenure scheme that is home to over 500 people. Delivered in the summer of 2024 by Tuath Housing with Dublin City Council and GEM Construction, represents the first delivery of Cost Rental housing in Dublin City and is one of the country’s largest social housing developments to date.
This site visit will take delegates through its construction and development process and explore the tenant engagement initiatives being employed to develop community in the scheme. Delegates will also visit one of seven roof gardens at De Verdon and enjoy a musical performance from local Tuath residents.
More Information:
Meeting Point: Meet at The CCD
Address / Eircode: D17 H281
Getting There: Pick up from The Foyer, CCD for a private transfer.
Travel time from CCD:
Malahide and Swords Castles
Wednesday June 4th | Start Time: 17.00
This short visit offers a captivating journey through Ireland’s medieval heritage, combining the elegance of Malahide Castle with the historical intrigue of Swords Castle. Located just a short distance from Dublin, these two sites provide a rich cultural experience in a compact, accessible itinerary.
More Information:
Meeting Point: Meet at The CCD
Address / Eircode: D01 T1W6
Getting There: Bus collection from outside the The CCD
Travel time from CCD:
Explore Seven Mills: A New Model for Inclusive Communities
Thursday June 5th | Start Time: 14.25
Discover Seven Mills, the largest residential development of its kind in Europe. This guided tour offers conference delegates a unique opportunity to explore a pioneering new town featuring a balanced mix of social, affordable, and private homes. See first-hand how innovative design, sustainable construction, and community-focused planning come together to shape inclusive, future-ready neighbourhoods. Don’t miss this chance to experience a blueprint for delivering mixed tenure communities at scale.
More Information:
Meeting Point: The Foyer, Convention Centre Dublin
Address / Eircode: D22 E4P8
Getting There:
Travel time from CCD: 30 mins
Parkside, Balgriffin - Mixed Tenure Workshop
Thursday June 5th | Start Time: 15.00
The visit will focus on the provision of large scale mixed tenure developments and the associated communal space requirements. The main presentation will be held in the new communal space.
More Information:
Meeting Point: Parkside, Balgriffin, Dublin 13
Address / Eircode: D13 W6RW
Getting There: Public transport
Travel time from CCD: 1 hour
The Weir, Tallaght
Thursday June 5th | Start Time: 15.10
This visit is of a recently completed age friendly scheme. The visit will show a vacant apartment and the communal spaces.
More Information:
Meeting Point: The Weir, Whitestown Way, Tallaght, Dublin 24
Address / Eircode: D24 PHK4
Getting There: Public transport
Travel time from CCD: 1 hour 10 mins
Dominick Hall
Thursday June 5th | Start Time: 14.00
A chance to visit a new DCC fully tenanted new build. This award winning development in the heart of the city is well worth a visit.
More Information:
Meeting Point: The Foyer, Convention Centre Dublin
Address / Eircode: Dominick Hall, Dominick Street Lower, Dublin 1
Getting There: Private Transfer, The Foyer, Convention Centre Dublin
Travel time from CCD: 25 mins
Energy Retrofitting of older person's accommodation
Thursday June 5th | Start Time: 14.45
At this event, we will visit two designated older person's social housing developments that have undergone complete energy retrofits. One development has a district heating system with 8 heat pumps heating all 58 apartments. The second development is over 100 years old. Here, retrofit measures have been tailored to preserve the achitectural features of the buildings.
More Information:
Meeting Point: County Hall, Marine Road, Dun Laoghaire.
Address / Eircode: Site visit is to two estates in Glasthule, properties in the two estates are: A96 TW74 and A96 X8N7
Getting There: Public transport
Travel time from CCD: 45 mins
New Dolphin Park, Design principles for the creation of 'Healthy Homes' for the Ageing Population
Thursday June 5th | Start Time: 14.00
The construction of New Dolphin Park is part of the wider regeneration project of the social housing estate Dolphin Barn in Rialto, Dublin. This residential complex has been purposefully designed to accommodate elderly residents from the local area.
During the study visit, delegates will be able to speak with tenants and tour their apartments, which are specifically designed to meet the needs of individuals with mobility limitations while supporting independent living within a community setting.
Presentations at the end of the study visit will focus on the design principles adopted to ensure a safe and accessible environment for residents. Presenters will also share insights into the co-creation process that gave prospective tenants a voice in shaping their future homes, as well as the sustainability measures implemented to minimise environmental impact.
Please note: Some food and refreshments will be served at the beginning of the study visit.
More Information:
Meeting Point: Café No44, New Dolphin Park, Rialto, Dublin 8
Address / Eircode: D08 V57K
Getting There: Public transport
Travel time from CCD: 1 hour
How Affordable Housing benefits communities
Thursday June 5th | Start Time: 14.00
Visit the award winning, first affordable housing scheme in Dublin sice 2008. Meet residents and join in the story-telling workshop on Affordable Housing and how and why it is both possible and beneficial to provide community led, affordable housing communities in Dublin.
A private coach has been arranged which will collect the attendees from the CCD. The coach will return the attendees to the CCD after the site visit.
More Information:
Meeting Point: The Foyer, Convention Centre Dublin
Address / Eircode: D11 EDW2 and D11 E7WR
Getting There: Private Coach
Travel time from CCD: 30 mins
Pear Tree Crossing - Affordable led Housing Regeneration
Thursday June 5th | Start Time: 14.25
A presentation and discussion will take place to examine how the LDA Masterplan (Pear Tree Crossing) will contribute to the social and economic development of the area and to transform the currently under-utilised sites into a new, sustainable urban community with a distinctive identity, in a plan led way.
We will then tour the Digital Hub campus and surrounding area, highlighting the unique character and culture of the historic Liberties area. The tour will focus not only on the range of diverse of buildings and structures, which will be adapted and incorporated into the new development, but also highlight the industrial and cultural importance of the area.
More Information:
Meeting Point: id8 Studio at the Gatelodge at Digital Hub, Roe Lane, The Liberties, Dublin 8
Address / Eircode: D08 EYO5
Getting There: Walking Distance
Travel time from CCD: 25 mins
Housing Goes Full Circle - A tale of success in Irish collaboration
Thursday June 5th | Start Time: 14.00
This is a symposium to tell the story about how the AHB and Credit Union sector have collaborated to provide social housing in Ireland using the CU AHB Fund. The event will tell the story of how the funding of social housing is in line with the Credit Union ethos and how two community focussed sectors have worked together to provide social housing with funding raised from the local community. To date, 26 Credit Unions have provided funding for social housing and 146 homes have been built in four local authorities. The case study of a development by Circle and Dublin City Council will also be referred to as a real life case study.
More Information:
Meeting Point: Dublin City Council Offices, Wood Quay Venue, Fishamble Street, Dublin 8. This is based in Dublin City Council's Civic Offices.
Address / Eircode: D08 RF3F
Getting There:
Travel time from CCD: 30 mins
Building sustainable communities
Thursday June 5th | Start Time: 14.00
The award winning Elanora Court Development is a story of transformation in Irish social housing—demonstrating how innovation in design, allocation, and tenant engagement can create thriving urban communities.
This session will tell that story through a site visit, first-hand accounts, and a workshop. Attendees will explore how Respond reimagined housing management to prioritise tenant leadership, shared spaces, and strong local connections.
The heart of this story lies with the tenants themselves—how they have shaped Elanora Court into a pro-social award community.
Elanora Court fosters connection, inclusion, and long-term stability, this session aligns seamlessly with the festival’s storytelling theme, inspiring new approaches to sustainable urban housing.
More Information:
Meeting Point: The Foyer, Convention Centre Dublin
Address / Eircode: Elanora Court, Long Mile Road, Dublin 12, D12 EPK2
Getting There: Private Transfer, The Foyer, Convention Centre Dublin
Travel time from CCD: 45 mins
Bringing shared mobility and social housing to Fitzwilliam Quay
Thursday June 5th | Start Time:
An adaptive reuse project involving the conversion of a former office building into 15 social housing apartments has been planned in Fitzwilliam Quay including an innovative mobility concept:
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The existing car park will be de-paved and a shared garden created with provision of secure storage for bikes, e-bikes etc.
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A car sharing facility
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The area was identified as a decarbonisation zone and there are excellent transport connections, including a greenway that will run in front of the development along the River Dodder.
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There is a public bike share facility within 200 metres of the development.
Works to convert the building to apartments will commence in early 2026.
More Information:
Meeting Point: Convention Centre Dublin (CCD)
Address / Eircode: Fitzwilliam Quay (Ringsend, Dublin 4)
Getting There: Cycling
Travel time from CCD:
Montpellier Development Site Visit
Thursday June 5th | Start Time: 14.00
A chance to visit a new development. This is still at the building stage but is a chance to see the state of the art development.
More Information:
Meeting Point: The Foyer, Convention Centre Dublin
Address / Eircode: Montpellier Avenue (off North Circular Road) Dublin 7
Getting There: Private Transfer, The Foyer, Convention Centre Dublin
Travel time from CCD: 40 mins
Making Standard Designs Special: four social housing projects delivered through offsite construction methods (MMC)
Thursday June 5th | Start Time: 14.15
Levitt Bernstein, in partnership with ABK Architects, led the design and delivery of 261 social homes as part of Dublin City Council’s Rapid-Build Housing Programme across four sites in Dublin.
These developments were developed using an off-site construction approach (MMC) to embrace the efficiencies, sustainability benefits, and high-quality finishes that this methodology offers. MMC construction often results in standardised designs that lack a contextual response to their surroundings or the communities who will inhabit them. These projects were specifically designed to demonstrate how a series of standardised house and apartment typologies can be tailored to respond to a wide range of urban contexts— from dense inner-city locations, to low-rise buildings in a suburban setting, to sensitive sites next to a historic urban park.
Through a 2-day programme, delegates will be able to visit all four sites: Bonham Court, Weaver Place, Springvale Grove and Bunratty Walk. With these visits, we aim to showcase how off-site construction methods can provide site sensitive, scalable solutions to the current housing crisis, creating sustainable, comfortable, accessible, and beautiful homes.
More Information:
Meeting Point: Weaver Place
Address / Eircode: D08 K5RH
Getting There: Public Transport
Travel time from CCD:
The History of Dublin Housing: 'Slums' and Solutions
Thursday June 5th | Start Time: 17.25
Donal Fallon (Social Historian to 14 Henrietta Street and author of 14 Henrietta Street: From Tenements to Suburbia) explores the changing landscape of housing in Dublin on this walking tour of the city. This tour demonstrates the origins of Dublin's historic housing problems, before looking at successful interventions like the public housing schemes of City
Architect Herbert George Simms in the 1930s city, and some of Dublin City Council's most recent housing schemes in the Dublin 7 area.
Exploring the intersections of the housing question with political change in the Irish capital, this tour spotlights successful interventions in the city through generations.
More Information:
Meeting Point: Meet outside 14 Henrietta Street Museum
Address / Eircode: D01 HH34
Getting There: Public Transport
Travel time from CCD: 25 mins
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