Airbnb honour for Moyvore host

A Moyvore woman was thrilled to be named as ‘Best Room Host’ in Airbnb’s first ‘Ireland Host Spotlight Awards’.

It came as a total surprise to Deirdre O’Kane when she was revealed as being one of Ireland’s top hosts for 2023.

Deirdre opened up her period home to guests after her children moved out. “I started half way through 2019, so I had a couple of months of it – and then there was 2020 and everybody shut up shop: so it’s really since Covid I’ve been doing it,” says Deirdre.

“I started offering just one room, because at the outset, I didn’t know who was going to come here, and why.”

So successful has she been that Deirdre can now accept up to eight guests at a time – and she has been receiving positive reviews for the beautiful rooms and for the warmth of her welcome, her attention to detail, and her scrumptious breakfasts.

Deirdre loves cooking, and admits she puts a lot of effort into her breakfasts: “I’ve had people say it’s the best breakfast they’ve ever had – which is nice,” she said.

Deirdre is already holder of a ‘superhost’ designation from Airbnb, awarded to hosts who go above and beyond to provide excellent hospitality.

Many of the overseas visitors who book to stay at Deirdre’s are from the US.

“A lot of them will come straight from the airport, and this would be their base for the first two days – or some would stay for their last two days, because it is convenient for the airport.”

A big attraction for many of them in particular is that they get to stay in a period house (complete with an Aga stove), albeit one with all mod cons, including the luxury of always-hot power showers.

In her role as host, Deirdre sees it as part of her responsibility to ensure she is able to advise visitors on what there is to see and do in this area – and she takes pride in the fact that there is so much about the midlands, from the likes of the Hill of Uisneach to Birr Castle.

Another attraction that brings a lot of visitors Deirdre’s way is the Aqua Sana spa at Center Parcs.

The finalists and winners of the Airbnb Host Spotlight in Ireland were based on booking data from Airbnb from November 1, 2022 to October 31, 2023. All active hosts and listings with a review rating greater than 4.75 stars and at least three bookings in that three-month period, were considered.

Guest reviews, including both star ratings and written reviews, were taken into account. The specific eligibility criteria and judging evaluation varied by category. An independent judging panel reviewed the finalists in each category to select the national winners.

Said the Airbnb citation: “Deirdre started hosting 4 years ago to create additional income whilst working from home. Deirdre has hosted people from all over the world in her own home she shares with her husband. The rooms she has listed on Airbnb are light and bright with high ceilings, pretty antique furniture and interesting artwork.”