Why Dublin 4 homeowners need to stay close
Dublin 4 covers some of the most established residential neighbourhoods in the city — Donnybrook, Ballsbridge, Sandymount, and the streets around the Aviva Stadium and the RDS. It is an area defined by good schools, mature gardens, period homes, and proximity to both the city centre and the coast.
It is also an area where significant renovation activity is underway. Many of the larger period houses in Ballsbridge and Donnybrook are being extended, refurbished or deep-retrofitted. Sandymount and Irishtown have seen a wave of modernisation projects on older terraced and semi-detached homes. These are often substantial works — three to six months or more — and they typically require the homeowner to move out entirely.
The challenge for Dublin 4 homeowners is that the local rental market is expensive, competitive, and geared towards 12-month leases. Finding a furnished short-term let within the area at a few weeks' notice is difficult. Moving further away disrupts the daily routine that makes the area so attractive in the first place — school runs to St Mary's or Marian College, the walk along Sandymount Strand, the Saturday morning routine in Donnybrook village.
Donnybrook
Donnybrook is a residential village with a strong sense of community. The main street has a good mix of shops, restaurants and cafes, and the area is well served by bus routes along the Stillorgan and Donnybrook corridors. Herbert Park provides a generous green space, and the proximity to UCD and St Vincent's Hospital makes the area practical for working professionals and families alike.
Renovation activity in Donnybrook is concentrated on the larger detached and semi-detached houses along roads like Ailesbury Road, Shrewsbury Road, and the streets leading towards Ballsbridge. These are often high-specification projects with extended timelines.
Ballsbridge
Ballsbridge is one of Dublin's most prestigious residential areas, home to embassies, period houses, and leafy streets that feel remarkably quiet given their proximity to the city centre. The DART at Lansdowne Road and Sydney Parade provides a fast connection south to Dun Laoghaire and north to the city centre.
The housing stock includes a significant number of Victorian and Edwardian properties, many of which are now undergoing substantial refurbishment and extension works. Homeowners in Ballsbridge are typically renovating to a high standard and require accommodation that matches — somewhere settled, well-maintained, and close enough to manage the project.
Sandymount
Sandymount combines a coastal village feel with easy access to the city. The green, the strand, and the DART line make it one of the most liveable parts of Dublin 4. Schools in the area are well regarded, and the village centre on Sandymount Green has a strong selection of local businesses.
Renovation activity in Sandymount often involves extending and modernising the smaller terraced and semi-detached homes that line the residential streets. These projects may be shorter than the large Ballsbridge refurbishments, but they still regularly require the homeowner to vacate for two to four months.
How RenovateStay works for Dublin 4 homeowners
RenovateStay currently has properties in Rathmines, Dublin 6 — a short journey from Donnybrook, Ballsbridge and Sandymount. The Luas, bus routes and cycling infrastructure mean that a temporary move to Rathmines keeps you connected to your area, your schools and your project without adding significant travel time.
Every property is fully furnished with weekly housekeeping, fresh linen, garden maintenance and all utilities included. Stays are in flexible 3-month blocks, and if the renovation runs over — as they often do — you extend rather than move again.
For a full overview, the guide to temporary accommodation during renovations covers all the options and how to plan the move.