Profile information
Host is looking for help immediately
Host rating
90 %
Last replied
15 Apr 2024
Reply rate
97.8 %
Usually responds within 5 days
Feedback
33
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Details
Description
My house is almost 200 years old, in rural area on wild west coast, 60 km from Galway, approx 20 km to Clifden.
I am looking for someone or a couple (preferably) to help me with milking a few goats by hand and cleaning their house daily. I also have a few sheep at different times over the year. The work varies depending on the season; For 4-5 months, from late autumn- over winter- early spring, feeding is an important part of the routine; mainly with hay. And of course cleaning up after them!
Help with the veg garden - a small polytunnel and outside space. At different times this means preparing the ground, sowing, weeding, watering etc etc and of course harvesting :-)).
The veg garden is at the front and back of my house with one or two goats sometimes here also but the animals (goats mainly and sometimes a pony or two)are all on land away from the house (2-4km), so cycling is the main mode of transport. I also have land about 50km away which we travel to by jeep about twice weekly during winter for feeding a few sheep and horses.
Ideally I am looking for someone who is competent with horses. I have 1 riding horse ( currently in-foal) and 1 little pony ("Welsh" type - in training for pulling a sulky/ gig). The riding horse has jumping and eventing potential so although she is extremely well mannered she is quite energetic. I have bred them from foals. They have been schooled and trained at home by myself and my daughter mainly using natural horsemanship, for example using the Perelli games...
If you don't mind to spend certain time out of society in nice nature, if you are able to deal with animals, you are welcome. If you have experience in riding horses, it would be perfect. I have been doing Workaway for about eight years and over the early years it was usually one person only but for the last couple of years I have found that having a couple (boyfriend/girlfriend) has been a great success, mainly from the point of view of company for eachother.
From my experience the duration of one month is best. You see it is our experience that under two weeks is too short because by the time somebody is up to speed with everything and settled in happily, before we know it they are leaving and we have to do the same all over again with somebody new.
If over the age of 25 and holding a full driving license, this can be very useful.
Ours is a private homestead and we only produce for your own consumption and none of the help asked is related to produce for sale.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
It is nice when we get into a routine and together we can do some interesting things perhaps over weekends.. We have had several people who came for one month and ended up staying for 2 and 3 months and that has always been brilliant for both sides I think.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
You will help Tom or be alone, most of the time outside. Help with milking goats by hand and cleaning their house daily. Ideally I am looking for someone who is competent with horses, we have 1 riding horse ( currently in-foal) and 1 little pony ("Welsh" type - in training for pulling a sulky/ gig). The riding horse has jumping and eventing potential so although she is extremely well mannered she is quiet energetic. I have bred them from foals. To date myself and my daughter have done all their training. Both of us are also very interested in natural horsemanship and have done some of this work with them all (Perelli games)..
For the last couple of years I have some sheep, they live outside really but required feeding sometimes.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
your own room upstairs in my house with adjoining washroom ( hand basin, bath and toilet). There is a double bed room for couples and there is also a single bed room. There is an electric shower available to you also.
We cook together and share meals together almost all of the time in the kitchen/living room.
What else ...
You are pretty well guaranteed to be able to do several trips with us by car in the Connemara area. Oftentimes there will be some music concert or theatrical play that you can attend with us.
We have several good bicycles too which you can avail of for cycling adventures.
Hill walking and hiking is on my doorstep everywhere.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
Can possibly accept pets
This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (26)
In the morning, I cleaned the goat and pony pens. Then I helped with the gardening, weeding, harvesting fruit/vegetables, digging... We help out for about 4/5… read more
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.6)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
In the morning, I cleaned the goat and pony pens. Then I helped with the gardening, weeding, harvesting fruit/vegetables, digging... We help out for about 4/5… read more
Meeting Tom is very lucky and it is that he will invite you to live life from another point of view.
I have enjoyed and learned a lot working with him.
and he is a super host who becomes a friend, I take care of myself and contribute very nice things, apart from endless… read more
There is always different things to do and the house's stove will keep you warm in winter! Connemara is a gorgeous place and you will enjoy it if you like countryside.
Tom is a real gentleman and has lot of knowledge about nature and animals. I had great chats all along my time there.
Thanks again Tom… read more
I had my first workaway experience with Tom. I did'nt know what to expect. But Tom was a perfect first Host. He welcomed me with open arms, and always was there if you had a problem. The work was great. Always something new and never boring. I learned a lot in the time i stayed with him. The talks in the evening were always… read more
Connemara is beautiful and I really enjoyed my time there.
They were very patient with me as I it was my first time in an immersive experience using English every day. However they helped me improve.
The work was mostly… read more
I had a very good expérience.
I learned a lot about the goats and about workinv in the garden.
Thanks so much for my English lessons every evening.
See you again.
Thanks
Thaïs
Olga and Tom are the nicest people. We had great, deep conversations full of laughter, fun, music, talking about life, love, health, healing and many… read more
Thank you so much and I hope to see you again. Julie from… read more
I have stayed at Tom and Olga's home for only three weeks, but I will never forget this experience.
There are so many things to do and you never get bored. During my stay I planted trees, milking goats, eating horses, setting fences, cutting trees and much more. All this in the middle of the incredible nature… read more
I never felt bored during my time there. There was always something to do. Milking the goats, removing the rhododendron (I hope you'll finish it one day ;), doing some other outside jobs (chopping down tree or attaching young trees to stakes of bamboo) and of… read more
I milked the goats, weeded the garden, painted roof, picked up apples, burned mountain, rode a pony, watched rugby. Tom taught me how to use the stove, weeder, leaf blowers. Everything is new and interesting to me.
Connemara’s view change… read more
I spent with Ola and Tom 3weeks in this beautiful area of Connemara.
I learned new skills and things. I worked outside with Tom. I was so happy when I did first successful milking:) I helped Tom also with wood, fence. And i like cooking with Ola.
Tom and Ola are… read more
I'm happy to find amazing people like them and Theo!
How is Carmelita, Tom? hahahahaha
Thanks a million(:
It was not at all a difficult job. I shared the daily life of Tom milking goats, feeding horses and helping him with various works (fencing, chopping timber...).
I enjoyed all the time spent with them discovering the area, going… read more
