AMERICAN TRAVELERS - This is it!!! I have been traveling to Ireland with and without my kids for the last 20 years. I've stayed in 5 star castles and posh AirBNBs, this is the best and here's why... It's warm! Carmel has the heating set up well, there are "boosters" to add additional heat when needed, and the newer construction means its well insulated. Unless you've traveled to Ireland before or sailed to Antarctica, it's likely you have never felt a cold like Ireland can be. It's a drafty, wet, chill to your bones kind of cold. I have never found a way out of it until now! Also of note - the dryer actually dries clothes! This is something I have never found in Ireland. The mud room is well equipped for laundry and just life when traveling.
LOCATION is prime! Walking distance to Tesco (grocery store), pubs, restaurants, and, something I didn't used to find in Ireland, coffee shops! Mitchelstown is just big enough to be convenient and small enough to be walkable, quaint, and authentic. There is also bus service from the town square that will get you anywhere if you aren't braving the opposite side driving. (If you are driving, Carmel's place has tons of parking) I know that my Irish friends and family think that things are farther away than I would but I consider this home to be very close to great attractions like within 45 minutes drive to Blarney Castle, Rock of Cashel, Cahir Castle, Tipperary, Titanic Museum, and an hour to the beach. Yes, Ireland has beaches! The area around Mitchelstown has walking, hiking, biking, caves, you name it for outdoor activities. Carmel's house is 5 minutes from the M8 motorway and a great central location to so much Cork, Tipperary, Limerick, and Waterford has to offer. Truly cannot say enough about how great this location is.
BE AWARE - There are a couple items I think US travelers should be aware of. The home is literally next to a cemetery with headstones visible from one of the bedrooms. Ireland is an ancient country, it's very common to see lots of cemeteries near homes, but I also know of families with kids who would struggle with this so I think it's important to note. (My kids thought it was cool.) Also, ALL of the beds at Carmel's are on the hard side. Very hard. I woke up several times to my kids asleep on the carpet floors - which were very cushy - but if you have difficulty with hard beds it could be a problem.
I do not write reviews often but I don't think the airbnb listing actually captured how great this home is for families and all kinds of other travelers. It's hard and scary to make judgements by internet postings from thousands of miles away. I hope this review is helpful.