To start I have used Airbnb for many years across the world and have never given a bad review, so I want to try and be as fair as possible.
From the start we had communication issues and had to get Airbnb involved, but in the end Gavin came through and we were told it was an employee issue... fair enough it happens. We would have just cancelled, but their cancellation policy is worst we have ever seen and even though we booked 5 months prior to travel we would have lost 90% if we cancelled on a 23 day booking (significant amount).
We are very easy and really only need basic amenities (kitchen gear, bath, Wifi and hopefully laundry) clean and accurate to description. We were there to move our daughter into college so wifi was essential for us for work as well as all the needs to get someone settled into a New country, city, college, etc... When we arrived the wifi wouldn't even run the tv without having to buffer 3-4 times in a 30 min. show much less allow us to use our phones or computers. We were clear with host what we needed and in the end after many days they got a new Wifi set up (our additional cost to use our USA accounts was $10 per day per device so very expensive additional cost). Laundry was also said to be included so we were happy to pay a little more to be in the area we wanted since Wifi and laundry were included. So first load of laundry we found out the building has it rigged to cut power where you have to go inside and pay $2 per load. Not a big deal if known up front but not great when you find out after expecting it included.
The rest of the apartment:
Clean (but ALL walls need to be painted as they are filthy) and bathroom has a nice shower (Door needs to be fixed so it shuts) with tons of hot water. Bed is HORRIBLE and loud (Squeaks if you move) and only thing on the wall was a mirror with broken frame (looked like trash). Kitchen was fine and had most things needed for a short visit but missing basics like sponge and soap (we purchased). Front door rattles anytime someone enters or leaves their apartment or the building (we had to shove a rag under each night).
Overall, The location was by far the best part which is between Rathgar and Rathmines and steps from the bus. The host Gavin did try and help in the end and I will say the apartment owner offered for us to leave half way through with full refund for remaining days (so they knew how bad it was), but of course there was nothing to rent last minute with all the kids returning to school so we stayed. if this was a NEW purchased apartment they should never have rented prior to doing a bit of work to it and knowing the ins and outs of the place so they give an accurate description to potential renters. If they clean it up and fix it up it would /could be a great little place to rent down the road, but for us it's the first time we really felt disappointed and a bit ripped off.