When it comes to buying a property in Dublin 4, to quote Ferris Bueller, "if you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up". He may have been speaking of a 1961 Ferrari 250GT California, but, quite frankly, those are two a penny when compared with the prices being paid for some of Dublin 4's more prominent houses.

A quick look at the Monopoly board should tell you what you are dealing with . . . for example, the most expensive property in the affluent neighbouring suburb of Dublin 6 is Rathmines Road, at a mere 120. But top of the pile, and more expensive than any of the city centre properties, are the twin stars of Ailesbury Road and Shrewsbury Road, at 350 and 400 respectively.

Of course, when the prices were set on the Dublin issue of the Monopoly board, few could have anticipated that a house on Shrewsbury Road would have sold for in excess of 50 million (albeit with some development potential). This price demonstrates the length that people will go to live in the most fashionable part of Dublin (in fact, it was also reported that the Jury's hotel site in Ballsbridge was purchased for 54m per acre).

But why would people want to pay that sort of money to live in an overcrowded city?

The housing stock, to begin with, is unequalled in the city. Roads in Ballsbridge such as Clyde Road, Raglan Road and Elgin Road boast among the finest properties in Ireland, while the suburbs of Sandymount and Donnybrook also contain some very spectacular properties. But there is also a degree of entry level housing in Dublin 4 . . . Ringsend and Irishtown are becoming very popular with people who crave a Dublin 4 address, but who cannot afford the more upmarket addresses. And parts of Dublin 4 are also being developed as part of the Docklands regeneration, putting businesses and homes into formerly rundown parts of the suburb.

There is also great quality in the dining and drinking and other amenities around Dublin 4. The four season's is, by common consensus, the best hotel in Dublin (although the reopened Shelbourne might give it a run for its money). Roly's Bistro is firmly part of the Dublin scene. Kiely's in Donnybrook is the spiritual drinking home of the Leinster Rugby adventure. It's a 4 in Sandymount is fast becoming a popular venue for those who simply can't face the city centre. And Upper Baggot Street has some very fine restaurants, as well as popular pubs. But there is one establishment that truly separates Dublin 4 from the rest of the city . . . it has the arguably the poshest grocery store in the capital.

Morton's in Rangelagh might disagree, but Donnybrook Fair has grown from being a local shop, through being a local brand, and on to becoming a local institution.

There are few other shops that exude such quality, although it is hardly a surprise that such an establishment should exist in the heart of Dublin 4 . . .

after all, it could hardly have happened anywhere else.