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Help in sorting house, books and papers for writer. Beara Peninsula, Ireland

  • Favourited 254 times
  • Last activity: 28 Mar 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least a week

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    I am a single, senior activist/gardener/writer/singer with five beautiful acres of wilderness by the sea on the breath-taking Beara Peninsula in West Cork on the Wild Atlantic Way.
    I have one son and I’m blessed that he lives here on Bears with his German wife.
    Accommodation, for one person, is in my cottage in Castletown Berehaven (6 kms from my small-holding).
    Almost every day we would go to the smallholding. I have kayaks, SUP board, all the gear for snorkelling and archery (up to Olympic standard) there. I also have aZodiac RIB.
    There would be a few trips per week to the sights of our peninsula in my Electric van.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Elderly Companionship
    DIY and building projects
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
    Help with Computers/ Internet
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    You would be spending time on one of the loveliest parts of the Wild Atlantic Way, The Beara Peninsula, West Cork. No photography can do it justice but maybe have a look at this short video:
    Apart from being a writer, I have extensive knowledge and experience of environmental activism. I enjoy passing on the lessons and skills I have learned to those open and eager for that kind of knowledge. But my ears and eyes are also wide open to the lives and interests of my WorkAwayers.
    My other great life-time interest is history, and again, I like passing on my specialist knowledge e.g the Romans in Ireland (they were not supposed to be here!); first Irish contacts with Christianity (much, much earlier than St Patrick/Succat); The Norman Invasion (not really an invasion at all!) ;the Great Irish Famine (I did a very controversial thesis on the subject): I'm also regarded as a bit of an expert on the subject of Sheela na Gigs (Google it, if you wish); the invasions of the Spanish (16th C) and French (1796) in this area and the ever-present activity of smuggling are other subjects that I know quite a bit about and that can enliven guests' experience of a stay at my place. And more ...

    In consequence, I guess I'm a good guide to our Irish story, our shores and hinterland.
    Films - good films - are also a passion with me and I have quite a selection of DVDs; the Irish-interest ones are often the most popular with visitors: Michael Collins, The Wind that Shakes the Barley, Ryan's Daughter and so on ...

    I love getting to our local music festivals (mostly a summer thing) and music-session pubs (all the year round) and exposing my guests to that great Irish cultural experience, 'the Craic'. I contribute, hopefully, to the Craic myself with songs, sometimes in Irish ('sean-nós'), but also I like sea shanties and 'aislings'. One of my favourite - and unique songs - is one I've deeply researched which has roots in the medieval troubadour tradition; it is a dark, deeply romantic story where true love transcends even death itself.

    Lest it appear that you should have a good knowledge of English to get the most out of a visit here, don't worry; my favourite WA last year was a Russian grandmother who had only the most basic English. We had so much fun - she was a singer too. Coming from deep within Siberia - 1,000 kms east of Moscow - she was completely bowled over by our limitless seascapes.

  • Help

    Help

    As I said above, household and secretarial.
    I take my Host responsibilities seriously and give my volunteers a really good experience of where I live. I know our history, archaeology and culture well.
    My smallholding is right by the sea. I have a boat, wetsuits and snorkelling gear and a SUP board. I also have an archery range and several types of bow and enjoy passing on my skills.
    For years I farmed organically and ran a lively activist website and had dozens of volunteers. All guest helpers have remained friends to this day. I dropped out of Workaway over the last few years. My positive reviews seem to have been dropped. ? There is just one negative one - that doesn’t apply to me ? I can talk the talk big-time on environmental issues and indeed lots of other subjects. I’m told I can sing too.

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    Irish: Fluent
    German: Beginner
    French: Beginner

    This 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

    Accommodation

    When I have just one guest WA, he/she would usually stay in my cottage. It’s my library/study but the guest would have a comfortable camp bed there - and lots to read!
    Ther is also a caravan on the small-holding, 6 kms away for people with pets.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    I have a YouTube Channel;. ask me for the link

    This link conveys some of attractions of this peninsula;

    The Peninsula is steeped in myths and legends. The mountains and valleys are rich in archaeological sites such as stone circles, wedge graves and other relics from the past. There are scenic lakes cradled by gorgeous mountains and a rugged coastline with lots of great fishing spots. Linking all this together is the Beara Way walking trail, also a cycling route and the Ring of Beara. There are three islands you can visit, Dursey, Garnish and Bere Island and, when my big sailing boat is launched in 2018, The Skelligs, The Blaskets, or over the horizon ...
    Local transport is almost non-existent, but I am happy to drive and guide my helpers and get them to cultural events, when the help commitment is over, of course.
    I also have bikes, one of them electric and I have a Zodiac inflatable for fishing and excursions.
    We are not at the centre of the cultural universe here but we manage to get to a fair share of music pubs, plays, pantos, poetry readings etc

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    Any size on site by the sea.

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    One

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Five hours a day for 5 days = 25 hours for a week. In summer could do 3 x 8 hour days

Host ref number: 897696459131

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