The stay in the apartment from Ciara was nice. If you don’t have a car it’s about a 15min walk to the train station and than around a 45min ride to Dublin City.
We were two people staying at her places, which was really small but you will get around good when you are more outside exploring Dublin.
Carickmines is a proper village with a lot of big houses. Near by (without having a car) there is no big groceries store, so you will have to make your shopping in Dublin.
If you are afraid of dogs tell Ciara from the beginning and she will make sure to let Freddy (her dog) inside when you are coming and leaving.