Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
11 Jun 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
32
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Details
Description
We are Jacquie and Alan and moved to beautiful Adrigole in West Cork on the breathtaking Beara peninsula and Wild Atlantic Way over 7 years ago. Although not young we are both pretty active and young at heart.
Although it wasn't our intention ever, we've started a small farm animal sanctuary and have approx 100 animals....donkeys, goats, pigs, geese, sheep, ducks, hens as well as dogs and cats. All the animals are pretty friendly and like to interact with people and as the sanctuary has grown we find ourself needing help with a variety of things around the sanctuary and land.
The animals all free range among each other and they are currently around the outside of house as well.
This is a stunning area with the sea 400 metres in front of us and hills and mountains behind us. There is a pier in walking distance, a pub nearby, lots of areas to hike and beautiful spots to see all around the peninsula. There is whale watching, you can go kayaking nearby and there are many seals around the bay.
Apart from the outside animals we also have 3 dogs and 22 cats (14 live in the house but go outside and 8 choose to live outside) so you must be comfortable that there will be animals in the house when you come in, all of which are pretty friendly
Please note, **wellies and/or strong boots are essential** along with waterproof clothing due to the typical Irish weather.
The land is incredibly muddy all through winter so please be aware that the work will be mucky
I am mostly vegan and Alan is pescatarian
**Please do not apply unless you want to have close contact with a variety of animals as the sanctuary is very hands on**
**We will not tolerate drugs on our property and any discovery will mean you will be removed from the property immediately**
**Since we signed up in March 2023 the different experiences with everyone has been amazing.
As we often have more then one person helping I want to say that we will not tolerate people who are racist, sexist, homophobic, bigots or just rude and disrespectful to anyone else staying here. We are open to everyone who loves animals and wants to spend time with us and as much as we need help here we also want people to have a nice time and will do what we can to make sure that happens but anyone behaving in a way that causes other people helping here to be uncomfortable will not be tolerated and if issues can't be resolved then we will ask people to leave**Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity WorkDIY and building projectsAnimal CareFarmstay helpCreating/ Cooking family mealsHelp around the houseGeneral MaintenanceHelp with Computers/ InternetUN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You will get to spend time in a stunningly beautiful area and have time to experience the peninsula. You will learn about caring for the different types of animals here, feeding regimes etc we also have a group visit every now and then so new friends can be made from different parts of Ireland. We have pubs in nearby towns that have music nights and we also have a lot of history in the area
Help
We are looking for help with mucking out shelters, feeding and grooming the animals, painting shelters, fencing where appropriate, land clearing and some repair work around the place. Maybe some help with housework. You don't have to be able to do all of those things as everyone has their own strengths but confidence around animals and a kind attitude is essential.
The animals come first and their welfare is the priority.
Please be aware that when helping with the animals this can be dirty especially during wet days and although most of the animals are friendly there is always a chance of being bumped or knocked. This isn't aggression and will happen due to the size of the animals.
Due to the nature of the animals here we are looking for help from people over the age of 20. The caravan sleeps three but ideally 1-2 people would be a maximum at a time if friends are wanting to come.
Fluent English speakers pleaseLanguages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
Caravan next to the house. It has cooker and fridge but you will also be welcome to come and use our kitchen. There is a shower in the caravan but you'll also be welcome to have baths in the house as well. Our door is always open and you'll be able to come and watch Netflix/Amazon/TV with us if you'd like or play board games or just chat.
We also have a spare room in the house that can be used if you'd prefer and just to say again that there are 14 cats and 3 dogs in the house so as long as you're ok with that then you're welcomeWhat else ...
We are in a very rural area and bus services are limited but we will be more then happy to drive you somewhere and pick you up should you want to go and explore any areas. We are very laid back and like to socialise and the only rules we have are regarding the animals, for their wellbeing and your safety and to just be respectful of our property. We are approachable should there be any issues and we really want anyone coming to enjoy their time with us.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have good internet connections and a room you can work from if needed
Space for parking camper vans
Campervans are welcome however until we get fencing completed there may be a risk of damage from the animals which we take no responsibility for. We sadly wouldn’t be able to accept motorhomes at this moment
Can possibly accept pets
Pets can come but they must be well behaved around other animals especially other dogs, cats, chickens and ducks etc as the animals here free range
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (15)
She's great fun, really easy to be around, loves all the animals and everything she did was with enthusiasm and care.
Eve spent lots of time with our new pig Buddy, helping him to settle in as he's currently being kept separate from the other pigs until he can be… read more
Willa took everything in her stride but at the same time asked as many questions as… read more
Once settled Sophie is great company, very… read more
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
She's great fun, really easy to be around, loves all the animals and everything she did was with enthusiasm and care.
Eve spent lots of time with our new pig Buddy, helping him to settle in as he's currently being kept separate from the other pigs until he can be… read more
Willa took everything in her stride but at the same time asked as many questions as… read more
Once settled Sophie is great company, very… read more
Julia is a genuinely lovely person in every way, she's really helpful and pro active, great with the animals and got in the routine very quickly.
We had some great chats and I know that whatever it is in life that she wants to achieve she will.
Julia is very focused but also… read more
Kat spent seven weeks here and she was amazing.
Not only did she get involved with absolutely every aspect of our life here at the sanctuary but she cooked for us, helped with housework, looked after a sick kitten for us as well as all the other cats, walked the dogs, fed the outside animals, helped… read more
The way all the animals live together in a huge community is stunning. Pigs will sleep next to goats and occasionally a chicken will lay on top of them during the night. Each animal has their own character… read more
Sadly I was poorly when she arrived so didn't see much of her for the first couple of days but she was a great help to Alan during that time and took everything in her stride.… read more
Jacquie and Alan welcomed me in their home with open heart and mind since day one, making me feel comfortable, listened and safe at all time.
They patiently explained me the behaviour and history of each animal, how to interact with them, how to carry out the feeding and any… read more
She is full of fun, a great help and all of the animals adored her.
Not only did she give 5 ⭐️ care to the animals she also cooked fab meals for us.
Nothing was ever too much trouble for Deb and she was very proactive in every way. She was patient and caring and gave as much… read more
Jacquie and Alan have created a plot of heaven and a space for a safe and happy life for a special group of animals that are family.
I could not have asked for more… read more
Claire is someone who… read more
They are people of extreme kindness concerned about the well-being of others and a complete devotion to animals. Regarding my tasks, I had to feed the animals and take care of their living spaces. In the sanctuary the animals are… read more
My main task was to feed the animals which wasn't always easy, because all the animals share their place with each other and try to steal each others food. Most of the animals are very friendly except for the… read more
They are dedicated to the care of the animals they've taken in and work to meet the needs of all of them in addition to giving great consideration for the individual strengths & needs of their… read more