A new playground for Malahide

Minister and local TD Darragh O’Brien has joined the Mayor of Fingal Cllr Brian McDonagh and representatives from Ballymore this week to officially opening a new playground in Malahide. 

The fully accessible play space has been designed by Ballymore to complement its newest neighbourhood at Seamount Rise. It has been created in collaboration with Fingal County Council’s Parks Department, Park Hood Landscape Architecture and local suppliers, and is part of Ballymore’s ongoing commitment to creating inclusive and community-oriented developments.

It is designed to blend with the natural surroundings, featuring timber swings, a roundabout, slide, and vertical timber poles which add a distinctive touch to the play area. Built with locally sourced, natural materials, the playground harmonises with the landscape, providing a space that celebrates the Irish aesthetic while catering to families and children in the area.

Ballymore’s approach to the project was to create a design that respects the local environment and natural habitat. The site’s elevated location offers spectacular views, with one side overlooking Ballymore’s residential buildings and the other offering a clear vista to Dublin. In addition, the surrounding space includes a designated biodiversity area with a blossoming wildflower meadow and habitats that support local bat populations as Pat Phelan – Managing Director of Ballymore who opened the playground with Darragh O’Brien and the Mayor – explained: “It’s a joy to see this space completed, the culmination of design work and collaborating with the local council to shape this former golf course mound into an accessible playground and a pathway that connects different parts of the development. 

“The playground is a fantastic space for everyone in the local community, and I hope that it is used by those living at Seamount Rise and beyond.”

Accessibility and inclusion were core considerations in the playground’s design, ensuring it accommodates all visitors, including wheelchair users and families with buggies. Pat Phelan continued: “We designed this space to ensure that all children, including those with special needs, can enjoy it comfortably. Local parents, especially those with children with autism, have given us positive feedback on the inclusive layout. We’ve also installed communication boards that allow children to point to activities they’d like to try, making it easier for everyone to interact and engage.”

Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Brian McDonagh, added: “This is a beautiful playground that represents a brilliant investment and delivers a fantastic addition to the area. It will serve the community for many years to come and be a great place for children of all abilities to play, explore and enjoy the great outdoor space that’s on offer. We're doing an audit of all our playgrounds and I think this shows what can be done to develop play facilities that are within easy walking and cycling distance for everybody.” 

The new playground also boasts green space, with Ballymore committing to protecting the area’s natural flora by planting native Irish species such as Scots pine and birch trees, supporting the local biodiversity. It also offers convenience for local people, creating a shortcut across Seamount Rise, saving residents a 20-minute walk.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD praised the project: “This playground at Seamount Rise reflects the heart of what we want for our communities; accessible, thoughtfully designed spaces that bring people of all ages together. Projects like this demonstrate how local authorities and developers like Ballymore can work together to create amenities that enhance quality of life for residents and strengthen community ties.”

Seamount Rise is Ballymore’s newest neighbourhood comprising 59 family homes and 76 apartments, with high-specification, high-quality residences – with 2.7-metre ceiling heights, floor-ceiling glazing, and spacious balconies from which residents can enjoy the captivating sea and mountain views. Find out more here.