We spent two nights with Mick and Shea this month and had a great time. Their house is gorgeous and the area, while not right downtown, was pretty convenient to everything we wanted to do (once we found our way around this confusing city- most roads do not have name signs so GPS is recommended). A big advantage if you're driving is the ample parking right out front because most of the downtown places have no parking available.
We found Mick and Shea to be really charming, especially Mick, with whom we had many long conversations before bedtime. I really wish we had spent a couple more nights in Dublin and would stay here again in a heartbeat.