Profile information
Host is looking for help immediately
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
2 May 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
30
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Email verified
Badges (4)
Details
Description
*** I have had a cancellation for last 2 weeks in May from Saturday 11th May***
Hello Workawayers.
This is my 4th year hosting workawayers and I enjoyed meeting so many different people and giving them the opportunity to experience rural Ireland
We have a 100 year old farmhouse, a few Kilometres from Kilkenny city. Our home is surrounded by farmland, with lots of beautiful walks on our doorstep. Our village is a lovely community with lots going on. I am interested in hosting all nationalities - I love to learn of others cultures and life experiences
Irish is a beautiful language (taithí a dheánnann máistreacht ) and our culture is one of Ceol, Teanga, agus Craic… agus Cead míle fáilte
We have been renovating the farmhouse over the last few years and hope to have completed the main house by late spring and then we will be continuing the work of converting a field area into extending the lawns and fruit and vegetables area.
We have a small woodland/copse area, that we would love to create a biodiverse area through for Irish wildlife and indigenous flowers - if you have experience or this is an area that interests you, then we would love to hear from you.... we have lots of tasks and projects to progress.
We have 3 dogs, cats and hens….. Kelly is the newest addition to our household, he is a GSD 2yrs old and recently adopted from a shelter, he has a big bark but is a scared dote, once he gets to know you he’s a gentleman. Cara is the black border collie and she is 3 years old and full of energy and love, we l adopted Vicky 2 years ago now, she is a 12 year old border collie from ISPCA, she is a little timid but so loving.
We have an outdoor farm cats, and 2 other cats that were rescue kittens and now all doing a great job at keeping the mice away!
We also have hens who are great characters, they are very curious and also like company - fresh eggs every day that taste amazing
There is No smoking anywhere on the property
If you like to cook, you would be welcome to cook anything you would like to contribute to the family. The pantry is kept well stocked.
Before you arrive I will contact you about food you like to eat so that I can have food you like in our pantry when you arrive. Please be open when first contacting us to come and stay about your dietary requirements, such as being vegetarian, especially if you require soya products, gluten free or vegen products (Our vegetables are not grown in the vegan style, we use animal manure in our growing beds). Telling us when you arrive is too late as we do not have soya/gluten free or vegen products in our pantry and the local town/supermarket that stocks such products is 15km's away.
A bit about me, Susan. I have 2 grown children Holly and Harry - Holly recently graduated with French & Spanish at DCU and is now working and living in Lyon France.... Harry is an outdoor adventure instructor, sailing, kayaking and lots of other sports, and works down in Cork. I work for a technology company, mostly from my office at home, but do head up to Dublin a couple of times a week to go into our office there - I love connecting with people and one of the best parts of working for my company is that we have 74 nationalities working in our Dublin office.
I am an animal lover who likes hiking and taking the dogs on long walks, you are of course welcome to join me. I love pottering around with different jobs on our property. I really enjoy tending to our vegetables and flowers that we grow. I love baking bread, cakes, scones and savoury dishes. If you would like to try some traditional Irish food I'm very happy to bake and cook those meals for you to try.
I love meeting people from other countries and cultures and love to share our culture with people and learning new things from our Workawayers about their countries, traditions and lives.
Hoping to hear from you
Susan
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Ireland is a country steeped in history and culture. Kilkenny is Ireland’s medieval city, music, literature and as Gaeilge (Irish Language)
You will have an opportunity to learn about Irish country living, you will have an opportunity to cook some traditional Irish recipes such as Guinness bread,
on our property we have our own well and filter system as well as a septic tank system and are developing a bee garden, woodland environment and our hens roam free. We have recently been planting fruit & nut trees
Our aim is to build a sustainable eco living and would love for you to play a part in developing this.
In addition you will have the opportunity to speak English every day and also some Irish if you’d like, I love to cook and bake and you can join me learning to cook some traditional Irish meals - I would also love to learn some of your dishes!
We are 15kms to Kilkenny City, 90mins by train to Dublin, 90mins to Cork
Help
I want you to feel comfortable and at home with us - I will encourage you to cook with everyone as its great to experience your foods and customs as well as you experiencing ours.
I want you to especially enjoy your experience here and improve your spoken English language as much as possible while here. The main reason helpers come to Ireland on workaway programs is to improve their English language. We will make mealtimes a key part of the day where we all come together - chat, discuss and get to know one another, which all helps develop your spoken English skills... I have basic German - mein Deutsch is nicht sehr gut, but I would love to practice and improve
We also have tons of board games, cards and there is SKY TV and Netflix also.
ALL races, religions, cultures, characters and orientations are welcome here. The world is a far better and more interesting place with a rich diversity and I am proud of how diverse and inclusive Ireland has become.
We also have 3 dogs, Kelly is 2 years old Cara is 3 years old and Vicky is 12 years old - all are very friendly and enjoy cuddles and a farm cat who wanders around!
Languages
Languages spoken
English: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
I love the Irish language but don’t get to speak it too often… but happy to share cúpla focal with you during mealtimes and of course for those looking to improve their English, this is spoken every day
Accommodation
4 bedroom farmhouse.
Own private room with bed linen & towels
sharing main bathroom with other workawayers
3 meals a day Mon - Fri (weekends kitchen is available)
What else ...
There is so much to explore and do across Ireland, hiking, sports, theatre, great places to eat and soak the atmosphere
In our village, we have a thriving Hurling club (Irelands national sport) pubs, churches, squash courts, stunning walks and a bustling community, we are only 15km from Kilkenny city and 90mins from Dublin
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We recently got hi speed broadband in the area which is great. There is a desk and monitor available for use
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (14)
We also benefited from Marie starting Sourdough and teaching me how to do a starter. Thank you!!
Marie helped with the animals cleaning out the hens looking after the… read more
The work was really doable, walking the dogs, some gardening, collecting eggs,… read more
We had great chats over dinners and Lonnie worked well with our other Workawayer
It was a pleasure to host Lonnie and I would happily recommend her
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
We also benefited from Marie starting Sourdough and teaching me how to do a starter. Thank you!!
Marie helped with the animals cleaning out the hens looking after the… read more
The work was really doable, walking the dogs, some gardening, collecting eggs,… read more
We had great chats over dinners and Lonnie worked well with our other Workawayer
It was a pleasure to host Lonnie and I would happily recommend her
Susan took me and my friend in spontaneously as we had problems with our previous host, so we are very grateful to Susan. Her house is very modern and all her animals are very friendly, however it can take a day or two for Kelly to get over his fear and come up to you, you shouldn't be scared if you are asked to play with… read more
No job was too small or too big Alex gets stuck in and works extremely hard. She is cheerful and fun to be around.
The work Alex helped with - breaking down fencing, rebuilding a dog run, raised vegetable beds as well as looking after the hens digs and cats… and a… read more
Mathis was here nearly 2 weeks along with 3 other Workawayers. He helped with walking the dogs, the hens, taking down fences, raised beds and re-doing the dog run floor. He worked independently and was willing to give a go at… read more
Her cooking and baking is amazing and the kitchen is… read more
Susan prepared me vegetarian meals every day and it was excellent! Even if she didn’t like some (too healthy for her, she said😉) she always enjoyed cooking.
I recommend Susan to anyone who wants to venture out into… read more
Clarisse is bubbly and good fun and I would… read more
While she was with us, Carla built raised beds, continued the pathway through the woodland, set up the bird… read more
Julia worked with our other Workawayer, clearing dykes around the property,… read more
Susan is a grand host. She is very friendly, willing to learn thinks from other cultures and she makes sure you feel comfortable while your stay. Susan is an amazing cook. She… read more
