A picture of what it's like to live in the suburb of Irene.
About Irene
The picturesque village of Irene with an abundance of greenery provides country-style living close to the city between the R21 and N1 highways in Centurion. Large properties with stone walls covered in whisteria characterise this area which has a farm feeling, reminiscent of an old English village.
Irene has a unique sense of community and although it is not a security complex, residents feel reasonably safe due to the road closure of the suburb five years ago. They can be seen walking their dogs to the Oval and cycling on the streets into the evenings.
Irene is rich in heritage and the Irene Dairy Farm, bought by Johannes Albertus Van der Byl, in 1896 is an integral part of the suburb. The farm is well-known across the country for being one of the last few working dairy farms still producing certified raw milk.
I love living in Irene as the people in this suburb really care about each other. Irene has interesting events including the Irene Village Market at Smuts House Museum twice a month which includes a tea garden, stalls with food, arts and crafts, flowers and curios. Irene is a special place to stay and residents are proud to stay here.
Christa Spoelstra resident of Irene
Residents can take a walk through the leafy suburb to the farm for fresh dairy products and enjoy a bite to eat at The Barn or The Deck restaurants. A range of top schools offering quality education are conveniently located in the area including Irene Primary School, Irene Middle Farm School, Irene Pre-Primary School and Cornwall Hill College.
Irene Village Mall and Southdowns Shopping Centre are among popular outdoor shopping centres providing a relaxed environment to find every day essentials. There are many cultural and historical buildings creating the rich heritage of Irene including the Old Post Office, Train Station and Smuts House Museum.
Irene also has its’ own town hall, the Irene Village Hall, given to the community by the Van der Byl family in the 1920s and is home to the Irene Country Club, one of the oldest golf courses in the country conceived by Johannes Van der Byl in 1911. This scenic suburb is a peaceful retreat to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
Concerts, exhibitions, high teas and flower shows are often held by community members at this hall.
Things to do
Get certified raw milk at the Irene Dairy Farm Play golf at Irene Country Club Attend Irene Village Market at Smuts House Museum
Top schools
- Irene Primary School
- Irene Middle Farm School
- Irene Pre-Primary School
- Cornwall Hill College
Best in food
- Visit The Deck restaurant at Irene Dairy Farm
- Enjoy a glass of wine at Whisk Wine Bar
- Take the family for pizza at Primi Piatti Irene Village Mall
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
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