Retired Dublin hosts Eamon and Marie explain what they love about hosting

Meet Eamon and Marie, a retired couple from Templeogue in Dublin who have been homestay hosts for many years. These Homestay pros regularly have their home filled with a mix of short and longer term guests from around the world. With 100s of brilliant guest reviews, they know what makes a good stay. We sat down with them to see why they enjoy hosting guests from around the world and how the experience has been for them.

“We initially decided to sign up to Homestay because we thought it could be a good way to earn money to supplement our pension”, said Eamon, “but now our favourite thing about hosting guests is all the great people we get to meet. We get a chance to share our life experiences and culture, listen to theirs and help them plan their stay in Dublin.”

Eamon and Marie live in a large five bedroom family home in Templeogue in the suburbs of Dublin. When asked about their tips for successful hosting they explained, “we always try to create a welcoming atmosphere and invite our guests to use our kitchen, to cook and to chat with us if they want company." Their home has a lovely garden which is often used by guests, weather permitting of course. The garden even has a cabin complete with its own bar which the family use in the summer months to relax, have a drink and get to know their Homestay guests.

Exterior of home

The guests who book with Eamon and Marie vary in age, nationality and have different reasons for wanting to come and stay with them. One such guest is Sara from the United States who was hosted by Eamon and Marie for a number of weeks after deciding to move to Dublin last summer with a friend. “It was such a relief knowing that we had accommodation sorted when we arrived in Dublin. The house was easy to find, we were greeted very kindly and welcomed into their home, and we felt at home immediately”, said Sara. “We had no home, no job, and were in a new place. But, Eamon and Marie became our parents of sorts during our first very stressful few weeks of apartment and job hunting.”

Sara 25 from the US during her time in Ireland

Eamon and Marie are both naturally sociable and love meeting people, allowing them to be welcoming, friendly hosts to all their guests. Eamon told us numerous stories about the guests he's had over the years and 99% he would host again.

Eamon and Marie showing us their cabin

After years of hosting guests, we asked them what they would say to anyone thinking of signing up as a host. Their answer was simple: "Just do it. If you have the space in your home and you like meeting people then this is for you. The extra income really comes in handy as well!. Ensure you get tax advice as the €14,000 Rent a room relief only applies to long term stays"

If you are thinking of becoming a homestay host visit their Homestay profile and read about some of their amazing experiences.

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