HomeLink Home Exchange Ireland

17/07/2025

HomeLink Home Exchange v Airbnb

With tourism on the rise, many European cities are pushing back—especially against short-term rentals that contribute to housing shortages and rising rents. But there’s a smarter, more sustainable way to explore the world: Exchange your home with HomeLink Home Exchange.

Unlike short-term rentals, home exchanges involve two people swapping, in the main, their primary residences—no money changes hands, and no homes are taken off the local housing market. It’s a way to travel that’s rooted in trust, community, and mutual respect.

At HomeLink, our members enjoy authentic experiences in real homes—often outside the crowded tourist zones—helping to ease the pressure on busy urban centres and fragile ecosystems. That means fewer crowds, more charm, and a travel footprint you can feel good about.

Plus, home exchanging is incredibly eco-friendly. You're not just reusing space—you’re building connections, saving resources, and traveling in a way that supports local communities instead of displacing them.

Ready to explore the world in a whole new way?

With HomeLink your first 30 days are completely free, with no credit card required. Just create your listing, browse homes around the world, and experience what it’s like to be part of our trusted exchange community. If you love it (and we think you will!), you can choose to become a full member. If not, no worries—your listing will simply expire after 30 days, no strings attached.

Discover a smarter, more personal way to travel—risk-free.
Join HomeLink today and start turning your travel dreams into real-life adventures—from cozy countryside escapes to vibrant city stays.

... So join the trusted home exchange experts and let our family look after yours.

Join the HomeLink home exchange and house swap community and start sharing your home today. Founded in 1953, HomeLink is the world's original home exchange and house swap community. Try our free trial for 30 days. Enjoy free holiday accommodation around the world and live like a local. With local su...

25/06/2025

Ireland Off the Beaten Path: Discover Hidden Gems with HomeLink

When most people plan a trip to Ireland, a few iconic destinations usually top the list — the Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry, Dublin’s cobbled streets. But what if you could experience Ireland through the eyes of someone who actually lives there?

That’s exactly what happens when you swap homes with a local through HomeLink.

Our members don’t just exchange houses — they exchange knowledge, too. Whether it's handwritten notes left on the kitchen counter or detailed guides to favourite haunts, HomeLink home exchangers love sharing the best of their area — especially the places tourists often miss.

Think quiet beaches only locals visit, tiny country pubs where the music starts when the fire’s lit, forest trails leading to ancient ring forts, or independent craft shops tucked away in sleepy towns. Want to know where to get the best seafood chowder in a fishing village that’s not even on the map? Just ask your host — chances are, it’s around the corner.

By skipping hotels and staying in real homes, HomeLink travellers get the chance to live like a local — and with local insight. It's a more personal, more sustainable, and far more memorable way to explore Ireland.

If you're ready to discover the real Ireland — the one not found in brochures — let HomeLink be your guide

Join the HomeLink home exchange and house swap community and start sharing your home today. Founded in 1953, HomeLink is the world's original home exchange and house swap community. Try our free trial for 30 days. Enjoy free holiday accommodation around the world and live like a local. With local su...

28/01/2025

"House swapping has saved us over £25,000 in holiday costs"
Economist Fionn O’Sullivan, 53, and wife Catherine Ames, 49, a teacher, swap their three-bed southeast London Victorian terraced home through Home Link www.homelink.org
“In 2017 my sister was chatting about her experience of home swapping and a light went on,” said O’Sullivan. “In the years since we have made over 20 swaps as a family, from a beautiful stone cottage in Donegal; to an ancient creaking bastide in Provence; and an apartment in the heart of Barcelona’s Barri Gòtic.
What you get from home swapping over, for example, an Airbnb or traditional holiday apartment, is a nicer stay. These are lovingly maintained family homes, with lots of personal touches and proper living and cooking facilities. As cat lovers we enjoy meeting our swappers’ pets and – frankly being a bit nosy – snooping at what our swappers read, wear and eat. You make some nice friends through swapping, too: we are still in contact with a family we swapped homes with in Bordeaux years ago. www.homelink.ie

21/08/2024

20/07/2024

Preparing your home for a home exchange: with a few simple steps, you can create a welcoming and comfortable environment for your home exchange guests, ensuring a positive experience for everyone involved.
Clean and Organise Your Home: deep clean, declutter, ensure space available for guests' items, appliances in working order, fresh linens and towels.
Create a House Guide: Write clear instructions for using appliances, heating/cooling systems, and any unique features of your home. Wi-Fi and Tech, instructions for using entertainment systems, TVs, and any smart home devices. Emergency Contacts. Also neighbourhood attractions, restaurants, transit.
Stock Essential Supplies: Cleaning Supplies, Basic Necessities, pantry staples, makings for a first meal.
Pre-Arrival Communication: key transfer, any special instructions. Be available for questions or concerns during their stay and provide prompt responses.
Take a breath and Enjoy YOUR swap knowing your home is in very good hands!!!
Visit us on www.homelink.org for more information on HomeLink Home Exchanging - your trusted Home Exchange Experts since 1953! www.homelink.ie

Join the HomeLink community and start sharing your home today. Founded in 1953, we are the world's original home exchange and house swap community. Try our free trial for 30 days. Enjoy free holiday accommodation around the world and experience living like a local. With local support from our team o...

16/07/2024

Our Member Aideen, from Howth, County Dublin, featured in the Irish Independent with her family, extols the virtues of HomeLinking saying:
"Home swapping has opened up a world of holidays to us that we wouldn't necessarily have considered before". Published in the Irish Independent: Aideen and family love the opportunities home swaps open up for their family, particularly as parents to a child with additional needs. Having a safe, secure, family home where everyone has their own space, is something that works for all of them, especially their eldest son (14) and has a learning disability. "The number-one thing is that it suits our family to be in somebody else's family home."
HomeLink Home Exchange IS for families! So join in the fun.🙂
www.homelink.ie .homelink.org

16/07/2024

Our Member Aideen, from Howth, County Dublin, featured in the Irish Independent with her family, extols the virtues of HomeLinking saying:

"Home swapping has opened up a world of holidays to us that we wouldn't necessarily have considered before". Published in the Irish Independent: Aideen and family love the opportunities home swaps open up for their family, particularly as parents to a child with additional needs. Having a safe, secure, family home where everyone has their own space, is something that works for all of them, especially their eldest son (14) and has a learning disability. "The number-one thing is that it suits our family to be in somebody else's family home."
HomeLink Home Exchange IS for families! So join in the fun.🙂
www.homelink.ie .homelink.org

27/04/2024

A New Look and Feel for Our Website Coming next week

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=983259986523347&set=pb.100045180656168.-2207520000

A fresh new look for HomeLink International will be launched next week, bringing an optimized user experience using the latest technology for all the areas of our site you have come to know and enjoy.
HomeLink celebrates its 71st Anniversary and continues to do everything possible to provide you with the best online service, combined with legendary personalization that supports you throughout your HomeLink Home Exchange experience!
Welcoming NEW members and RETURNING Members every day, all day, worldwide!

DM us or visit www.homelink.org to find out more!

27/04/2024

A fresh new look for HomeLink International will be launched next week, bringing an optimized user experience using the latest technology for all the areas of our site you have come to know and enjoy.
HomeLink celebrates its 71st Anniversary and continues to do everything possible to provide you with the best online service, combined with legendary personalization that supports you throughout your HomeLink Home Exchange experience!
Welcoming NEW members and RETURNING Members every day, all day, worldwide!

DM us or visit www.homelink.org to find out more!

01/04/2024

'Domhain Eile' is Gaelic for 'Another World' and that's the description that best fits the beautiful Beara Peninsula. With over 20 exchanges, Cora & Michael's spectacular home has been a true gem for their HomeLink Partners. Just a few highlights:
France: "Our stay In Castletownbere was a total success !.Cora's house was beautiful and situated in a wonderful environment. We recommend Cora's place a hundred per cent!!"
Ireland: "What a wonderful time we had in Castletownbere! This home has a stunning views from every window."
UK: 'We had a fantastic week in West Cork. The house was bright, spacious and welcoming and we loved the amazing views. The Beara peninsula is a beautiful area for walking and cycling and Castletownbere had all the amenities we needed. A wonderful holiday."
US : "Most beautiful view ever. Beautiful spacious home with everything we needed. Warm friendly neighbor. Had a wonderful time."

See listing : IEW209921 https://homelink.org/en/homeexchange/Ireland/beara-peninsula/22575
DM us or visit www.homelink.org for your next dream vacation

01/04/2024

Our long time member, Cora and her family and their beautiful home, made it to our page.🙂👏 See their homeon the beautiful Beara Peninsula: https://www.facebook.com/feed_story_share/?story_id=961677095348303

'Domhain Eile' is Gaelic for 'Another World' and that's the description that best fits the beautiful Beara Peninsula. With over 20 exchanges, Cora & Michael's spectacular home has been a true gem for their HomeLink Partners. Just a few highlights:
France: "Our stay In Castletownbere was a total success !.Cora's house was beautiful and situated in a wonderful environment. We recommend Cora's place a hundred per cent!!"
Ireland: "What a wonderful time we had in Castletownbere! This home has a stunning views from every window."
UK: 'We had a fantastic week in West Cork. The house was bright, spacious and welcoming and we loved the amazing views. The Beara peninsula is a beautiful area for walking and cycling and Castletownbere had all the amenities we needed. A wonderful holiday."
US : "Most beautiful view ever. Beautiful spacious home with everything we needed. Warm friendly neighbor. Had a wonderful time."

See listing : IEW209921 https://homelink.org/en/homeexchange/Ireland/beara-peninsula/22575
DM us or visit www.homelink.org for your next dream vacation