Centurion

Irene

Irene (pronounced "eye-REE-nee") is a small township south of Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa.

Stone arrowheads and tools, discovered in the Hennops River bed and dating back many years prove that people have been living in the area for a very long time.

Irene lies within the town of Centurion; in 2000, along with the rest of Centurion, Irene was incorporated, into the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. It is situated next to the R21 and N1 highway, and has seen increased development in recent years. During the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the United States men's national soccer team based its training camp in the township and were stationed at the Irene Country Lodge.

The Irene neighbourhood has formed a landowners association that makes sure that the safety and security of the village is maintained, and that the streets are safe for their children.

Almost halfway between Johannesburg and Pretoria, Irene is not only reminiscent of a country village, it is also the site of the Irene Village Dairy where cows graze on lush green grass virtually on the road through the village, reminding one more of the pleasant English countryside than somewhere just off a highway between two major cities.