First off, the location is perfect for walks and public transit. Just 5 mins to small parks and the waterfront promenade; 20-30 mins to larger parks and Dublin city center (depending on where in city center, may be more like 45). Buses and taxis are convenient, great local shops, food, and grocery just a few blocks away.
Second, the property is an ideal rental. The house is huge by Dublin living standards, and while the decor might be a little quirky (“cottage shabby chic” comes to mind), it made us feel a bit more at home knowing that if a cup or plate had a mishap, we weren’t destroying a perfectly planned set. We had 4 adults and 2 toddlers, but with an occasional overnight guest from Dublin as well during our stay - it can easily accommodate 2-4 more depending on your bed needs. The house also has all of those perfect “oh I forgot that” items (umbrellas? Baby toys? Vacation reading? Ireland tour books?) and a very well-appointed kitchen for a rental, which came in handy for us!
Finally, the hosts were amazing - Peter and Gay greeted one of our relatives for the key handoff, Catherina was great with correspondence and questions, and when we did have a minor problem with an appliance, someone was there to fix it within a couple of hours.
One of my favorite things about the house is that it’s suited to any weather - helpful in unpredictable Dublin if you’re planning to spend at the house during your stay. The covered outdoor area was wonderful to keep us outside even through a sprinkle/mist/downpour in warmer weather, and the indoor sunroom warmly cheered us up when it was cold and blustery.
We’ll be coming back - highly recommended.