Chapelgate, a new apartment and housing development being launched today off the airport road in Drumcondra, Dublin 9, could not be more different from other city schemes.

It is built behind high convent walls in a pleasant residential enclave. Internally, it is one of the best finished apartment schemes to come on the market in the city this year.

Show apartments and show houses are to open today to coincide with the release of the first 86 units - mainly two and threebedroom apartments which will be ready to move into over the coming weeks.

A total of 45 two-bedroom apartments with an average of 850 sq ft are going on sale at prices from £235,000 to £260,000. There will be 15 threebedroom apartments with around 1,000 sq ft costing from £275,000 to £320,000.

Helen Moore of agents Hamilton Osborne King will also be taking bookings for a mixture of other types of accommodation, three-bedroom end of terrace houses with 1,334 sq ft priced at £375,000; three-bedroom duplex units with 1,250 sq ft at £315,000; four-bedroom duplex homes with 1,420 sq ft at £345,000; two-bedroom ground floor apartments with 785 sq ft at £245,000; and fou-rbedroom terraced houses with 1,500 sq ft at £410,000.

For those needing even more privacy there will be five- three-bedroom penthouses with between 1,200 and 1,300 sq ft which will range in price from £390,000 to £410,000.

Chapelgate is being built by Shannon Homes, which has completed a number of high profile developments in Dublin in recent years, including Donnybrook Castle, St Gabriel's in Cabinteely and Stillorgan Heath.

The latest scheme is located on St Alphonsus Road, a mature street where most of the redbrick houses date from the turn of the century. Shannon bought about half the Redemptorist Order's grounds along with a listed convent and a church. An alternative use has still to be found for the church, which has a stunning interior. The convent is to be converted into 29 apartments, some of them one-bedroom units.

The closed order of the Most Holy Redeemer has moved into a new convent on the remainder of the grounds and maintained its privacy by building another high wall between them and the new residents.

Most of the apartments are located in two facing four-storey redbrick blocks with projecting extensions in white rendering.

Designed by architects McCrossan O'Rourke, the scheme also includes two small courtyards backing on to Dargle Road, with a mixture of terraced houses and duplex units.

One great advantage for buyers visiting Chapelgate this weekend is that they will see exactly what they are getting for their money, because they are fully completed. They are also likely to be impressed by the show apartments which have been tastefully fitted out.

The three-bedroom unit has a wide, welcoming hall, with a stained glass door leading into a spacious livingroom. The square-shaped room has a wooden fireplace with a gas-fire and a sliding door leading out on to a balcony which is considerably bigger than usual. There are clear views over much of the north inner city, including Croke Park and the Dublin mountains in the distance.

Adjoining it is a separate kitchen with a broad bay window and dining area, and Shaker-style wall and floor units. The layout is designed for trouble-free cooking and there is a high standard of tiling in the kitchens and bathrooms.

Ash doors with walnut inlay, used throughout the apartment, underline the high spec finish. Two of the bedrooms are doubles and the main bedroom comes with an en suite shower room. The third bedroom is a decent sized single.

The two-bedroom apartment is equally impressive with a terrific livingroom and a galley kitchen. Again, a balcony is provided, though it is a little smaller than in the larger home. Both bedrooms are doubles and there is an en suite with the main bedroom.

The penthouses have not yet been completed but it is obvious that they will be exceptionally roomy and well-finished. Each penthouse will have three bedrooms, three bathrooms and enormous livingrooms which open on to one of a number of terraces. The views from here are even better than on the lower floors.

Car-parking is included in the price. Those buying two and three-bedroom apartments get one space while owners of penthouses and houses will have two spaces. There will be an electronic security entrance to the entire scheme.