Part of a cluster of street-names in Twinbrook on a botanical theme that includes names in Jasmine, Laburnum, Iris, Almond, Whin, Mulberry, Broom, Magnolia, Azalea, Acacia and Laurel.
Juniper (Juniperus communis) is native to Ireland. It favours more neutral soils than some shrubs that produce berries. "It can be found on the limestone plateau of the Burren and I’ve also come across it near the summit of Tully Mountain above the 250m level. Juniper has separate male and female plants and only the female ones produce berries. Technically, these are not fruit but rather the cones of this coniferous shrub. They just happen to be rather juicy cones. At first they are pale green and they take 2-3 years to ripen to a dark blue colour. They remain on the bush throughout this time, so you may notice the berries even in winter. Although they are used elsewhere for gin, there does not seem to have been a strong gin-making tradition in Ireland, perhaps because of the preference for whiskey or poitín. They were used in herbal medicine, however. The Irish name is aiteal, very similar to aiteann, ‘gorse’, which may be because both bushes are named for their spikiness" (Tempan, Céim na Conaire, Mountain Views newsletter, August 2021).
Dual language street sign (English and Irish) approved in October 2025.