Where is it?

Situated between Fairview, Griffith Avenue, Phillipsburgh Avenue and the Malahide Road, this compact, residential district in Dublin 3 is around three miles north of the city centre and within roughly a half hour's walk.

Average house prices:

Not as expensive as neighbouring upmarket Clontarf, Marino offers great value with prices roughly in the Euro550,000 to Euro600,000 region and with many homes modernised and in turnkey condition.

Type of houses:

Mostly three-bed, two-storey terraced houses of around 900sq ft, built circa 1920, arranged in neat streets around two large, and two smaller, open greens. This is a well settled, longestablished residential area with many properties upgraded and extended (rear gardens tend to be generously sized) and a certain pride taken in the presentation in terms of nicely painted exteriors and wellmanicured gardens.

Rental market:

Homes are mainly owner-occupier. A typical three-bed terraced house would rent for roughly Euro1,400 per month. This is a convenient address for tenants who either work in the city centre or for other employers ranging from businesses in the local East Point Business Park or the IFSC to the Beaumont or Mater Hospitals.

Best streets to live in:

St Aidan's Park Road and Avenue, St Declan's Road, Croydon Green, Croydon Park Avenue and Marino Park Avenue are the most popular addresses. Bordering Philipsburgh Avenue (Fairview) is equally popular for those seeking the typical 1900s terraced townhouse. Properties don't come up for sale in this area very often - as a consequence anywhere in Marino tends to be sought after.

Transport:

Marino is only a half hour's walk to the city centre but there is also the Dart at Clontarf and the No 123 bus.

Amenities:

Westwood Fitness Club, Fairview Park and St Anne's Park, Croke Park, the promenade at Clontarf seafront, Canters Restaurant and the Kinvara Indian restaurant, Javaholics cafe - and one of the busiest Centra outlets on the northside.

Schools:

Maryfield Convent, Marino College of Further Education, St Vincent De Paul, Ard Scoil R�s, Dominican College, Clontarf School of Music.

Future development plans:

Most recent residential developments in neighbouring areas are Grace Park Manor and Griffith Hall. The port tunnel runs underneath part of Marino's green areas but hasn't had a detrimental effect on property.

On the market 21 Croydon Park Avenue, Marino, Dublin 3 Price: Euro600,000 Bedrooms: three Behind the sunny exterior of this three-bed mid-terrace is a deceptively spacious home with oodles of charm. No 21 has been upgraded to with rewiring, installation of central heating and hardwood double-glazed windows. It also has an extended big bright kitchen, and interconnecting reception rooms featuring a marble "replace and french doors out to the landscaped rear garden. Accommodation comprises the entrance hall, livingroom open-plan into diningroom and kitchen. Upstairs there are three bedrooms and a bathroom. The front garden includes off-street parking with raised "ower beds bordered by railway sleepers; the rear garden is around 62ft long with a decked area and steps leading up onto a gravelled area with raised "ower beds bordered by railway sleepers.

Agent: Gunne Residential, 01-833 5844