Happy Launch For Greystones’ Happiest Little Houses

The wonderful thing about the new seven-apartment social housing project right in the middle of Greystones is that, after only a matter of weeks, it already feels like a close-knit community.

Mind you, these raggle-taggle bag of happy people do have one important thing in common – they’ve all landed themselves perhaps the finest council housing that Wicklow has ever seen.

Seven apartments, in a triangle, with covered car parking, electric gates, elevators, the whole shebang.

We spoke with one of the lucky residents, Marie, last month, and it was great to see her again today, alongside her neighbours, at the official launch of La Touche Courts.

Our petition to have it named Fraggle Rock Mansions fell on deaf ears, it would appear.

Designed originally as private housing during the boom years, this La Touche Place property bounced around the block before St Patrick’s Housing Trust, Tuath Housing Association, NAMA, Portella Developments, the Department of Environment, Community & Local Government and Wicklow County Council got into bed together. And nine months or so later, a beautiful, bouncing little apartment complex was born.
There were plenty of happy faces out today for this happy story, from all the various parties involved, as well as local politicians such as Tom Fortune, Jennifer Whitmore, Nicola Lawless, Simon Harris, Andrew Doyle and Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, John Ryan.

The event was also marked by the unveiling of a public bench on the second floor, whilst Cllr Ryan pointed out that La Touche Court was a model of what can happen in a community when all agencies work together. He added, “In the current climate, the need to share our valuable resources is vital. Only by working closely together can we ensure that more homes are delivered in Wicklow over the coming years. I am confident that there will be many more successful collaborative efforts between Wicklow County Council and Tuath Housing.”

Big congratulations to everyone involved in this wonderful little corner of good news.

Now, as soon as we find out the code to that electric gate, this will be Barbeque Central for the next four months. Or years. Depending on the weather.

Below, we catch Marie’s speech, a great big group hug for the cameras, plus, a quick video tour of one of these fine apartments. Just built for parties.

And that quick tour inside…

Now, go check out our interview with the lucky Marie here.