Explore Matt Damon's Lockdown House Near Dublin

published 18 June 2020

Hollywood actor Matt Damon and his family spent two months during lockdown in an airbnb in the seaside suburb of Dalkey, where they apparently became fixtures in the community.

The seaside rental is listed on Airbnb, giving us a good glimpse at the Irish mansion's modern interiors.

Why Ireland, we hear you ask. The Jason Bourne star temporarily relocated to the small seaside village of Dalkey with his wife Luciana Barroso and their four daughters to film his new drama-thriller, The Last Duel. But, as global travel restrictions were put in place amid the coronavirus pandemic, the film star was forced to stay in Ireland more permanently.

The luxurious coastal home, said to be worth £7 million, was built and owned by former Formula One race car driver Eddie Irvine.

Set in the sleepy, affluent suburb of Dalkey, the area has attracted many other celebrities over the years, and also home to U2’s Bono and The Edge as well as Van Morrison.

Spread across 5,000-square-foot, there's a generously-sized living space, a dining room, study area, large games room, five bedrooms, an outdoor swimming pool, a sauna and Jacuzzi.

Wraparound floor-to-ceiling windows flood the home with light, while secure gates and a secluded surrounding garden give the property plenty of privacy.

The Hollywood actor has now returned to the US with his family, but decided to check in a few weeks ago when he made a surprise phone call to local Irish radio station, Spin 1038, and spoke about his love for the area. Talking to presenters Graham O'Toole and Nathan O'Reilly, the actor said Dalkey was 'like a fairytale' and 'absolutely gorgeous'.

He told the presenters: 'This is one of the most beautiful places we've ever been. Even in the lockdown, they’re like you’ve gotta stay within 2 kilometres of your house.

'I mean 2 kilometres of here there’s tress and forests and woods and oceans, I can’t think of any place else you’d rather want to be in a 2 kilometre radius of.'

Images courtesy of airbnb.com

Lotte is the Digital Editor for Livingetc, and has been with the website since its launch. She has a background in online journalism and writing for SEO, with previous editor roles at Good Living, Good Housekeeping, Country & Townhouse, and BBC Good Food among others, as well as her own successful interiors blog. When she's not busy writing or tracking analytics, she's doing up houses, two of which have features in interior design magazines. She's just finished doing up her house in Wimbledon, and is eyeing up Bath for her next project.