Welcome to our bright and light filled home. We are offering you the opportunity to enjoy a stay in a graceful flat at the top of a beautiful Georgian house situated overlooking the coast of Dublin bay.
Its old world grace makes it a special space in which to live - full of light and reminders of the history of this the oldest port in Ireland.
There are 4 large rooms and a bathroom. You can see the sunrise over the Irish sea in the mornings and setting over the Dublin mountains in the evenings. The kitchen/ living room is a well equipped and inviting space with a log burning stove and sofa - it's a lovely place to sit in the evenings and listen to music or read. The living room is bright and airy, has a fire place for fires in the evening, and access to a roof terrace for enjoying views of the Dublin mountains in the early morning or evening plus the usual TV and Stereo system for enjoying relaxed time . There's a compact study, with lots of books and access to the internet. We have one bedroom which is a tranquil retreat after a day of exploring. Up a winding stairs is our bathroom with a double shower.....we also have our laundry facility tucked away in a corner of this room.

Monkstown is a lovely well established suburb of Dublin and is situated on the Coast beside Dun Laoghaire, a major Port and beyond that the lovely village/towns of Dalkey and Killiney (made famous by James Joyce and also by the many super star residents including Bono, Enya and Neil Jordan).
The sea is just across the road, and in summer locals swim daily from Seapoint (5 mins walk) and the 40 foot which is a half hour walk along the coast. Within minutes of leaving the apartment you are walking along the Sea front which extends for miles. There are the 2 piers of Dun Laoughaire which are favourite walking routes.
Within half an hour driving you are in Wicklow - the Garden county of Ireland in which you can explore many walks in natures rolling hillside beauty.
For those of you who enjoy the Arts, Dublin city is a 20 minutes train journey. Once there you have access to all the Theatres, Museums, Galleries, Music venues and Café culture that make Dublin the uniquely vibrant Capital city that it is.
In the immediate locality there are several lovely Cafes in which to enjoy lazy breakfasts or lunches...our favourites include the Café du Journal and Avoca, and there are numerous Restaurants from which to choose for an evening out.
Dun Laoghaire which is a short walk from here has Cinemas, the Pavillion Theatre, bars, restaurants a farmers market every Sunday in the People's Park, many shops catering to a wide variety of tastes.

You will have access to a private south-facing garden at the back of the house at weekends - it is a simple space but lovely to retreat to.
We will be happy to provide information about the area and further afield in Ireland.

We would ideally like to exchange for the month of August 2013 - we will also consider exchanges for one, two or three weeks in August 2013.

Our preference is to visit Northern France - Brittany or Normandy or South Coast of England - Cornwall or Devon

We are Patrick and Catherine. Patrick is a Psychotherapist and has just finished writing a book on Psychotherpay which will be published in May. He is enjoying reacquainting himself with his passion for travel, long walks in some of the many beauty spots nearby our home, swimming in the Sea, and re-engaging with the Arts. I am an Organisation Consultant and I have an eclectic bag of interests ranging from Interior design - how to create inspiring spaces in which to live and work , reading and exploring ideas, walking in nature, movies and gardening.
We enjoy spending time in a leisurely way....experimenting with cooking, listening to music, walking and creating a home that's enjoyable for us, our families and friends as well as tapping into the rich Arts life available on our doorstep.

English (UK)