Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
7 Sep 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 4 days
Feedback
12
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
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Looking for gardening help
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We are looking for a mature person, over the age of 25 (for car insurance purposes), with a full clean driving licence to come and spend at least one month with us from Sept 2025 onwards for the Autumn. We need help with gardening for wildlife, setting up vegetable plots, and caring for our donkeys, hens, dogs and cats on our private smallholding. We need someone who loves the great outdoors and is happy to muck in with us to care for nature. The landscape is essentially a temperate rainforest and growth is therefore verdant! In return, we offer a fun cultural exchange experience, quality accommodation, and use of our car, to enjoy all the delights that the West of Ireland can offer. We have hosted many other workaways over the last three years and 5 star reviews show we are a kind, open and welcoming family to land with!
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Welcome to the Family!
We are a family of three, with Irish roots, who moved to Caherdaniel over six years ago from inner city London and haven't looked back!
Chris is retired after spending his working life in humanitarian work and I (Philomena) run a grant making charity from home and teach in a university. Our daughter, Aibhlinn ('Ave-leen') is nearly ten and is a lively, fun and kind girl who loves riding, singing, swimming, playing the fiddle and being wild outdoors.
We have been learning how to run a small holding and to tend the land and various animals who have found their way to us. There's always lots to do and we are always open to new ideas and projects. We genuinely love this place and would like to share its richness with fellow travellers.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
House sitting
Interests
Vegetarian or vegan
Politics / Social justice
Charity work
Writing
Books
Animals
Nature
Beach
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We are privileged to live in a spectacular spot on the planet - there is so much to learn here about the sea, nature, gardening, rural life and caring for kids and animals in a positive and creative way. We have travelled extensively ourselves - Chris spent a lifetime in international development - and so we are keen to meet like-minded others, who like us, care about people and the planet. Caherdaniel, our village, is a lively spot in the summer with many tourists passing through as they do the 'ring of Kerry'. Off season, the place is quiet and peaceful and you can enjoy the unspoiled local beaches to yourself at this time. Bliss for those who love nature and the great outdoors!
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Our family lives on a beautiful small holding overlooking the sea, with two donkeys, three chickens, two dogs (all rescues), 4 cats and 6.5 acres that we manage environmentally.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
We have a large farmhouse with a spare double bedroom, with its own ensuite bathroom. There is plenty of living space in a comfortable setting, and a 'tiny house' in the grounds if you need some 'alone' space too. We keep a well stocked pantry and freezer so workaways can cook for themselves or join us in family meals as preferred.
What else ...
We are a ten minute walk to the famed beaches of Derrynane (voted 4th best beach in the whole of Ireland) where there is good surfing, swimming and water sports all happening, and the national park and gardens of Derrynane House, home of the famous 19th Century Irish 'liberator' Daniel O'Connell. The area is rich in history, natural beauty and archaeological sites and the local village of Caherdaniel has a lively pub, with other pubs and restaurants close by. There is great hiking in the mountains around you, the walking route, 'the Kerry way' passes our doorstep, and you would have access to a bike and our car for travel in your time off. Chris might even let you drive his boat if you ask nicely! The county town of Killarney is 75 minutes away, Cork city a 2.5 hr drive and we are on the famous ring of Kerry which demands a scenic drive around the 179km of wild atlantic way. This place suits anyone who loves the great outdoors!
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
We have a driveway that would comfortably fit a large camper van.
Can possibly accept pets
Maybe - depending on how they might mix with all our own pets.
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
My animals / pets
Solas and Finn
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (9)
Mi sono sentito subito a mio agio, come se fossi a casa mia, e questo grazie a voi. Ho apprezzato tantissimo ogni momento trascorso… read more
I was really blown away by their generosity and going above and beyond with sharing outings and cultural experiences of the area which is a gem in… read more
at their place. I enjoyed very much the scenery around
Derrynane and did some jobs outdoors on their property.
We had a nice time together as it happened to be St. Patrick's
Day so we went to Sneem which is the closest bigger village around.
I wanted to help more but Chris told they have… read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
Mi sono sentito subito a mio agio, come se fossi a casa mia, e questo grazie a voi. Ho apprezzato tantissimo ogni momento trascorso… read more
I was really blown away by their generosity and going above and beyond with sharing outings and cultural experiences of the area which is a gem in… read more
at their place. I enjoyed very much the scenery around
Derrynane and did some jobs outdoors on their property.
We had a nice time together as it happened to be St. Patrick's
Day so we went to Sneem which is the closest bigger village around.
I wanted to help more but Chris told they have… read more
