September 2026 Update

1. New Stillorgan Library Opens

After several years without a permanent library in Stillorgan, the new Stillorgan Library officially opened its doors earlier today. I was pleased to join Minister of State Jerry Buttimer and Cathaoirleach Cllr. Barry Saul for the official opening this morning.

The new facility, delivered as part of the wider regeneration of St Laurence’s Park, provides more than 1,000 square metres of library and community space across two floors, alongside the new homes and other community amenities being delivered as part of the development.

This is a particularly significant project for me locally. I previously worked with our former local TD, Josepha Madigan, when she was Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, to help secure the initial Government funding for the new library, so it is particularly satisfying to see the project finally reach completion.

The new library will be much more than a place to borrow books — providing space to study, learn, access technology, meet others and participate in community life.

I’m really looking forward to seeing the new library become a central part of everyday life in Stillorgan.

• Clonmore Park

There have been considerable delays to the opening of Clonmore Park Playground. It is very disappointing that it was not completed before the summer holidays.

However, I have been updated by officials who have confirmed that the playground contractor is finishing up outstanding items this week, and that the Council is planning a staggered reopening starting early next week:

Opening Early Next Week: The basketball court, calisthenics area, and the majority of the main playground will be fully open.

The zip wire and tunnel areas will remain closed for a few additional weeks. This is to allow the newly planted grass to properly establish and prevent the ground from becoming waterlogged or overly muddy during the winter months.

The Council will monitor the grass growth over the coming weeks and open those remaining sections as soon as the turf is established enough to handle foot traffic

• Proposed Kilmacud Traffic Calming Measures

Officials responsible for the development and implementation of proposed traffic calming measures in the estates between the Upper and Lower Kilmacud Roads have confirmed that they are considering a draft report on the issue.

I understand that modal filters are no longer under consideration. Rather a number of engineering solutions to reduce traffic speeds within the estates are being considered. I expect to have further updates on this in the coming weeks.

• Proposed Road Closure – Dublin Marathon Route

The Council has received an application from the Dublin Marathon Group to temporarily close sections of:

• Clonskeagh Road
• Roebuck Road
• Foster’s Avenue
• R138 Stillorgan Road (north of Foster’s Avenue)
• UCD Flyover to the Dublin City boundary

The closures are proposed for Sunday, 25 October 2026, from 9.20am to 4.30pm, to facilitate the Irish Life Dublin Marathon.

Observations or objections should be submitted before 12 noon on 7 October 2026.

• Sandyford/Stillorgan Wastewater

Following Storm Chandra, significant shortcomings in the wastewater system in the Sandyford/Stillorgan area were highlighted. I have been pressing the Council and Uisce Éireann to address identified issues as a matter of urgency to ensure that we are best prepared to mitigate the next severe weather event(s).

I have received the following rough timeline for the implementation of relevant works by Uisce Éireann that will significantly upgrade local water infrastructure in the coming years:

• Moreen Sandyford Phase 1 – Upsizing c400m of 225mm to 450mm and currently under construction to be completed in Q4 2026.
• Moreen Sandyford Phase 2 – Upsizing c400m of 225mm to 450mm and currently going through the land process to be completed Q1 2028.
• Sandyford Networks – Installation of c2km of new/upsized gravity sewer network and installation of c300m3 of storm storage. Planning was submitted and decision due in September 2026. Completion date is Q1 2029 subject to planning.
• Sandyford Stillorgan Advance Works – c200m3 storm storage – currently at tender stage – to be completed Q3 2027.
• Sandyford Stillorgan Main Contract – c870m3 storm storage is on planning application preparation and to be completed Q4 2029 subject to planning.

• Mobility Hub Pilot

A first phase of 64 mobility hubs has now been approved across Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, following a resolution I formally proposed at September’s Full Council meeting.

Mobility hubs are designed to make it easier to combine different forms of transport — including walking, cycling, public transport and shared transport — particularly for the first or last part of a journey.

For me, the important point is that this is about giving people more choices, rather than telling people how they should travel. If alternatives to the car are convenient and practical, people are more likely to use them when it suits them.

DLR is one of five local authorities participating in the national mobility hub pilot. The first phase will deliver 64 hubs, with a further 50–60 sites expected to form part of Phase 2.

You can find out more information on the pilot scheme here.

• DLR Grants Scheme 2027 – Apply Now

Applications are now open for the dlr Grants 2027 scheme, providing funding for local clubs, community groups, individuals and organisations working on projects and initiatives across Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.

The scheme supports a wide range of activities, including community development, arts and culture, sport, heritage, environmental projects and local initiatives.

There are a number of different grant streams available, so I would encourage local groups and organisations to look at the scheme and see whether their plans for 2027 could qualify for support.

The Council’s grants programme is an important way of supporting the many community organisations and volunteers who make a contribution across DLR. In particular, relatively modest amounts of funding can help local groups get projects off the ground or expand activities in their communities.

If you are involved with a local group, it is worth checking the available grants and getting your application in before the relevant deadline: DLR Grants 2027 – applications and information

• County Development Plan Variation No.1 Adopted

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has adopted an adjustment to the County Development Plan which increases the amount of land available for residential development, with the potential to facilitate around 500 additional homes per year — up to 5,000 over the coming decade.

This is an important step towards increasing housing supply in the county. But zoning land is only the beginning. The focus now needs to be on getting these homes built and ensuring they are supported by the transport, schools, parks, water and wastewater capacity and local services that new communities need.

The approach should be straightforward: ambitious about housing, but equally ambitious about the infrastructure needed to support it.

• Save the Date – Housing Event with Regina Doherty MEP

Dublin MEP Regina Doherty and I will be hosting a public meeting Thursday, 29^th October 2026 on Building More Homes: What works around the world?

The event will take place at 7.30pm in The Goat, Goatstown. The event will feature a number of expert panellists and draw on Regina’s experience as Co-Chair of the European Parliament’s Housing Committee and my work on the European Peoples Party’s Housing Working Group at the Committee of the Regions.

It should be an interesting, solutions-based discussion on our housing challenges and what we can learn from approaches in other jurisdictions.

I will be sharing more details in the coming weeks. I would love to see you there.

1.  In the Media
2. O’Driscoll Elected Chair of Dundrum Area Committee (Dublin People)
3. Thousands of Irish missing out on €1k or €2k owed by Revenue after Tánaiste issues Budget 2027 payment increase update (Irish Sun)
4. New Stillorgan Library Opens its doors this month (Dublin Gazette)
5. Rent tax credit claims can be backdated – Councillor (Dublin Gazette)
6. Eoin O’Driscoll elected Chair of Dundrum Area Committee (Dublin Gazette)
7. Residents urged to have their say on litter (Dublin Gazette)
8. 40 Affordable purchase homes give route to ownership (Dublin Gazette)
9. Welcome for €2.6m Cherrywood water network investment (Dublin Gazette)