Killester

Killester, a primarily residential area, is perhaps best known for its association with World War I veterans who were settled there in planned development from late 1922 onwards, organised by the Irish Sailors' and Soldiers' Land Trust.[5] The Trust, the group that catered for the housing needs of ex-servicemen at the time, were responsible for the construction of 2,700 homes in Ireland from 1919 to 1934, to house the British and Irish men who fought in World War I.[6] The Killester scheme was one of many started in answer to the 20th century housing crisis and worsening housing conditions of the working classes at the time. The 1914 "Housing Enquiry" found that 14,000 homes were needed to cater for the working classes at a cost of 3.5 million pounds.[7]

The Killester ISSLT Scheme began construction in 1922 after it was found in the "1914 Housing Enquiry" that there was a need for better housing for the men who fought in the war. However, foundations for the scheme had already been established in advance of 1921, as the Irish government at the time had inserted drains. The Killester ISSLT Scheme (known alternatively as “Sensu Strictu”) was the largest housing project for ex-British servicemen at the time of its construction. The scheme had been approved under British Prime Minister David Lloyd-George's "Homes For Heroes" social housing scheme.[8] The "Homes for Heroes" scheme was fuelled by a pre-existing housing crisis after World War I.[9] The idea of better housing for men who had fought in the war was part of the British Government's recruitment campaign. However, the British government had not expected that Ireland would be an independent nation after the Easter Rising in April 1916. After Ireland had declared independence from Britain, the Free State refused to fund the Trust itself.[10] Despite the new status of the Irish Free State, high tensions and the strained relationship between the British government and the Dáil, both parties came to an agreement and the British government were granted permission to build homes for ex-servicemen under the imperial ISSLT group.[11] Additionally, a debated specification from the Department of Labour in 1921 urged that no English materials were to be used in the construction of new houses of any schemes from the ISSLT.[12]

The Killester scheme began with plans for 247 dwellings, eventually consisted of 289 houses. It was laid out in areas named Abbeyfield, Middle Third and The Demesne. The homes were unusual in comparison to other Dublin houses from the scheme. They were self-contained units and architecturally different in design compared to other houses of the ISSLT group in Drumcondra that had previously been blended into various neighbourhoods. The Killester ISSLT scheme was considered to be in a "rural" location, and based in an area which was at the time underdeveloped but not isolated, as it was in close proximity to a number of suburban areas.[13] The houses were based on Ebenezer Howard's "Garden City" concept. In 1928, smaller two-storey houses were added to the scheme, in Abbeyfield and Middle Third, increasing the number of dwellings to the 289 that it is known for today. A social hierarchy was maintained within the scheme, as between officers and regular soldiers - officers were housed in the larger houses of The Demesne while the others were situated in the smaller additional dwellings in Abbeyfield. [14]

The scheme consisted of low housing densities and featured large gardens with plenty of open space with the main aim of giving ex-service men a chance at a better life. The houses were smaller in size compared to other ISSLT developments despite the Trust originally requesting larger dwellings in a higher-density format. Laid out as suburban garden bungalows, each dwelling ranged between 1007 square feet to 675 square feet, each house had a parlour, sitting room, scullery, 3 bedrooms, larder and coal store. The smaller of the bungalows had only two bedrooms and lacked a parlour.[15]

From nearly the moment they were built the ISSLT faced backlash for the enormity of the project and the agitation occupiers felt in relation to rent prices thus resulting in a rent strike. The dwellings were based on a sliding scale rent pricing, with the aim of the individual eventually owning their home ie: The cost of rent was based on the amount of income an individual made. However despite this, on average a dwelling cost around 1500 pounds. The strike saw a decrease in the rent prices, however further problems arose between the Trust and occupiers. In 1925, and investigation revealed that rents were higher than necessary to keep the organisation afloat. Rents successfully reduced again and with the reduction, it also prevented the Trust from building up a capital.[16]

The area over time became well established and very accessible boasting its own water supply tower and easy access to neighbouring towns as well as Dublin city. This was particularly evident with the opening of Killester Dart station in 1923.[17] Killester also acquired a “special” bus route for the area that was operated by “The Contemptible Omnibus Company”.[18]