Conor's place is just as described. It is charming, eclectic, and warm and cozy. It is the perfect home away from home and we thoroughly enjoyed staying there. The location is fantastic - Ballsbridge is a lovely 'posh' area close enough to the city center to make things accessible, but far enough out to feel like you're living as a local. We fell in love with Dublin and honestly wish we could have stayed another week or longer. It is a beautiful city with well-known ancient and historic sites, cathedrals, galleries, and stunning architecture. We found it very walkable, and although much of it feels old and quaint, it also has a very cosmopolitan feel to it. There are so many things to do and see and Conor's place makes a perfect base. It is in an attractive terraced street across from a lovely park and many local amenities.
Conor makes many suggestions to his guests for local food and fare, and we enjoyed everything we tried. Of particular note to us was the Chinese restaurant "Kites" that is a few doors down. We had takeaway from there and it was some of the best Chinese food I've ever had. It looked very nice to dine in as well. We can also affirm that nearby Roly's Bistro around the corner was an excellent tip from Conor. (In fact, people we met all over the city seemed to know of it.) . Not only can you enjoy a lovely sit down meal there, but they have an amazing bakery serving fabulous breads, pastries and sandwiches to go. They even have rotisserie chickens to go, and 'home cooked' ready-made meals if you're in a hurry. We found having a great bakery so close very helpful on those days when we had very early starts to meet tour buses and could just grab a coffee and a pastry and go. And there coffee is really good too!
We loved staying at Conor's place and would definitely ask to stay there again on a return trip to Dublin and highly recommend it to others.
Claire Bothwell and family.