April 7, 2026
Susan and Daragh
From one holiday home to many: an Irish couple’s experience in the Signature Collection
Tucked along the coastline of Howth, just outside Dublin, Susan and Daragh had begun to rethink what a second home should offer as their family’s needs evolved. After years with a traditional holiday house that no longer felt as exciting or well-used, they were drawn to a different idea, one that offered variety, flexibility, and homes in places they already loved. Discovering August resonated immediately, opening up the possibility of moving seamlessly between destinations like Mallorca and the South of France while keeping travel effortless and shared with family and friends. In this conversation, they reflect on their journey to joining, what has stood out most, and how their experience has reshaped their idea of modern second-home ownership.
Last year, some friends of ours, had rented an Airbnb house in Palma for a lot of money. We offered to let them use our August Mallorca home for a week after their rental and they came back absolutely thrilled. They said that our house was breathtaking and, unlike their Airbnb, it genuinely felt like a home...even though it’s not a personal home, it felt warm, lived-in, and perfectly prepared, which they said you just can’t get in a typical vacation rental.
Can you introduce yourselves and how did you first discover August?
Susan: We’re Susan and Daragh, and we’re from Howth which is a coastal village, about 10 miles from Dublin city.
Daragh: We first discovered August through an article in The Irish Times about three years ago. It featured an Irish couple, and I remember the headline was something along the lines of, “Why own one holiday home when you can own five?” That really resonated with us and captured exactly how we were feeling at the time about owning a single second home.
Susan: We had a holiday home in the Irish countryside for about 15 years until recently, but as our boys (aged 19 and 20 now) got into their later teenage years, they began to lose interest in going there. As a result, we found we just weren’t using it as much. We had been thinking about buying a home abroad for some time, but we had similar concerns. With a single property, there’s always the risk that it feels exciting and new at first, but over time it can become just another home, somewhere that doesn’t get used as much, and where it can be harder to persuade the family, especially the kids, to go.
Daragh: From there, we started looking into August in more detail. The concept immediately made sense, and we were particularly drawn to the range of locations, particularly the South of France, Chamanoix and Mallorca, where we’ve spent a lot of time previously.
Did you have any reservations when joining and how were these overcome?
Daragh: I think our main reservations were fairly standard, questions around usage, whether the properties would hold their value, and whether they would be in good locations. From a practical standpoint, I also had some initial hesitation about buying a share in an SPV and paying a significant sum for properties we hadn’t seen in person.
What really helped was the conversations we had with the August sales team. We looked at a couple of different Collections, and I received the documentation for each. I noticed a shareholder I recognised from my time abroad, someone I had worked with in the past in Singapore. I reached out to him to ask about his experience, and he reassured me that everything was legitimate.
He also mentioned that his wife, a lawyer, had gone through all the legal documentation in detail and hadn’t found any issues. That personal confirmation, combined with the thorough documentation from August, gave us a lot of comfort and helped us feel confident moving forward.
What drew you specifically to the Signature Collection?
Susan: What drew us to the Signature Collection was primarily the size and usability of the homes. The Pied À Terre option was appealing, but on the smaller side for our needs. The three- to four-bedroom Signature homes offered the space we were looking for, not just for our family now, but also for the future when our kids may have partners and families of their own.
We also liked that these homes could comfortably accommodate friends or extended family, and features like gardens and pools were a big plus. The Prime or Premium Collection homes were larger than we needed and the level of the annual service charge for these properties was a concern, so the Signature Collection was definitely in our sweetspot.
The locations of the Signature homes we considered, particularly in the first Signature Collection, were outstanding and really suited what we were looking for.
The style really suits us: it’s modern but not flashy, comfortable but elegant, like a boutique hotel that focuses on home comforts rather than luxury for luxury’s sake. We also love how the design feels rooted in each region, so every home has its own unique, authentic character.
How well connected is Dublin when travelling to your August homes?
Susan: Travel from Dublin to our August homes has generally been very good. During peak season, roughly April to late October, there are direct flights to all destinations, Nice, Geneva, Bristol, Pisa and Palma are all well connected during this period.
Outside of peak season, travel can require a stopover. For instance, in January and February we visited Sóller and had to take two flights to get there and back, which was fine but something to plan for. And for Nice, off-season flights on Saturdays are limited, so we adjust our travel dates accordingly.
The Tuscany home we haven’t visited yet, so we’re less familiar with its connections, but it’s something we’ll experience in May. Travel to the Cotswolds is straightforward, with options to fly into Bristol, Heathrow, Luton, or Birmingham, so it’s very well connected.
Do you have a favourite home or location ?
Susan: My favourite is probably the home in Sóller, Mallorca!
Daragh: And mine is the home in Valbonne, South of France.
Daragh: We love both Valbonne and Sóller, we often have lively family debates about whether we prefer Mallorca or the South of France. We’ve been going to the South of France for 30 years, particularly the Côte d’Azur, and our kids have spent many summers there growing up. Our youngest, in particular, is adamant, it’s the only place he really wants to go. Everything else is always compared to the Côte d’Azur.
We probably feel Mallorca might be better in the peak summer months, while the South of France is more enjoyable off-peak. Still, for our youngest, the Côte d’Azur will always be the top choice.
How would you describe the design and character of the homes?
Susan: We’ve visited four of the five homes so far, and we think they’re all amazing. The design really suits our style, it’s not flashy or old fashioned, but rather a thoughtful mix of modern touches and character from slightly older properties, which we love. The decor throughout is very soothing, and the furniture is both stylish and extremely comfortable.
We haven’t visited the Tuscany home yet, but from the photos it looks very much in the same style as the other properties, so we’re confident we’ll love it as well. Overall, all the homes feel beautifully designed, welcoming, and effortlessly elegant.
Daragh: For us, natural light is really important. We love that the homes are designed around courtyards, gardens, balconies, or pools, it really reflects how we live. Our main home is full of glass, opening out onto gardens and balconies, so these properties feel very familiar.
One of my favorite spots in the world is the deck at the Valbonne house, overlooking the pool, and then there’s the rooftop terrace in Mallorca, which is absolutely stunning. The houses are designed so you can enjoy sunshine all day, from breakfast to dinner, in different parts of the garden or on various balconies. Even the Chamonix apartment, which we only use for skiing, has a huge balcony and a front room with a massive glass window overlooking the mountains, spectacular views.
The style really suits us: it’s modern but not flashy, comfortable but elegant, like a boutique hotel that focuses on home comforts rather than luxury for luxury’s sake. We also love how the design feels rooted in each region, so every home has its own unique, authentic character.
Another thing we love is that there’s a common thread across all the homes. Even small details, like the Marshall speakers in every property, make a difference for us. It’s really simple, but as we arrive at the house, my phone connects automatically, I hit play on Spotify, and it just works. It’s just a small example, but it reflects a broader consistency in functionality and feel across the homes. That consistency, combined with their design, makes it really easy to feel instantly at home, no matter which property we’re staying in.
What have you enjoyed most about being a part of August’s community?
Susan: We actually haven’t attended any of the August events yet, if there’s ever one in Dublin, we’d definitely come! What we’ve really enjoyed so far is getting to know the homes and the areas they’re in. As Daragh mentioned earlier, it’s lovely to visit these properties and feel familiar with them, knowing the neighbourhoods and appreciating the comfort and quality each home offers. Even the houses we’ve visited less frequently feel welcoming because there’s that sense of consistency and care.
We also really value the community of other owners. Our Collection’s WhatsApp group is great for sharing recommendations, tips, or advice about the homes, which makes you feel connected. And the communication with the property managers, both before and during our stays, is always excellent, they’re friendly, helpful, and make everything so easy. Overall, it’s the combination of the homes, the people, and the support that makes being part of the August community so enjoyable.
Daragh: What has really surprised and impressed me is how welcoming and open the other owners have been, especially to any new members. We joined after the Collection was already established, so we missed that initial phase, but the community has been incredibly supportive.
I can share a story that really demonstrates the value of being part of August. Last year, some friends of ours, who live in the US but are Irish, had rented an Airbnb house in Palma for a lot of money. The house looked beautiful online, and they were traveling with kids and friends from the US.
We offered to let them use our August Mallorca home for a week after their rental as we couldn’t be there, and they extended their flights to take us up on it. They came back absolutely thrilled. They said that our house was breathtaking and, unlike their Airbnb, it genuinely felt like a home. Everything had been thoughtfully arranged, from utensils and condiments to small touches around the property. Even though it’s not a personal home, it felt warm, lived-in, and perfectly prepared, which they said you just can’t get in a typical vacation rental.
How have you found the booking system and when do you prefer to travel?
Susan: We’ve found the Valeria booking system to be great. It’s very intuitive, efficient, and easy to use. Booking our weeks and managing waitlists has all been straightforward. Of course, the point drop days can be a bit competitive, trying to secure the same popular weeks, but overall the system works really well and makes it easy to manage bookings.
Daragh: It’s been great, especially because our lifestyle has changed recently. I retired at the end of last year, so previously our travel was limited by work and school schedules. Before, we were mostly traveling during school holidays or half terms and trying to fit in a few summer weeks.
Now, we’ve been able to take full advantage of the flexibility the booking system offers. For example, we recently booked three weeks back-to-back in Sóller, one in January and two in February, and had a wonderful time golfing, hiking and enjoying the area.
What advice would you give to someone considering joining August?
Susan: Do it! We wholeheartedly recommend joining August. There are so many benefits. It’s a fantastic way to own property without the usual hassles, everything from maintenance to property management is taken care of, so you never have to worry about calling a plumber or fixing something yourself.
We also really value the variety of homes available and the flexibility the Collection offers. Having experienced a traditional holiday home in the past, it’s a real difference not having the day-to-day responsibilities but still enjoying the comfort and quality of the properties. For us, that convenience and peace of mind makes the whole experience excellent.
Daragh: Another big advantage is the shared nature of the expenses. With a traditional second home, if something goes wrong, like a roof repair, it can cost you tens of thousands of euros. With August, the cost is shared across owners, which makes it far more manageable and stress-free.