Stay in Northern Ireland in County Antrim and we'd love some creative input for our garden

United Kingdom

updated

Favourited 303 times

Host rating
Feedback
80
Last activity
24/09/2020
Nº of Facebook friends
253
Reply rate
100.0 %
Average reply time:
within 2 days
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Availability

2020

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What's this?

Details

Description
I retired from a life in the art gallery/interior design business a few years ago while my wife very recently ended her career as on occupational therapist in the health service. Our two children now live in Scotland so we have a large house to ourselves and three cats.

We have an 18th century house that we have modernised and sits in 2 acres of garden including grassland, pond and vegetable patch. Oh! and a piste for playing petanque (boules). The house is in the country, outside the small County Antrim village of Aghalee close to the eastern shores of Lough Neagh, the largest inland body of water in Britain and Ireland.

From our local village there is a bus service to Lisburn (10 miles and Belfast 20 miles). Moira train station (5 miles away) is on the main line from Belfast to Dublin which is about 100 miles away.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I am active on the traditional Irish music scene which is very lively in the area, playing the bodhran, the Irish traditional drum. Musicians in our local session include people who have performed on the international stage. There are regular local pub sessions and every night of the week there is music to be had in Belfast.
Help
A few years ago we converted a field to the rear of our house into a garden. It requires continual maintenance and we are always wanting to add new features, plants and shrubs. Apart from helping me, as I am wanting to spend as much time as possible in the garden, suggestions and creative ideas will always be welcome for volunteers to leave their mark! The house also needs maintenance which will be light tasks like painting.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Beginner
Accommodation
We offer a bedroom with both a double and single bed. You will have use of the main bathroom with shower and bath.
What else ...
Nothing is too far away in Northern Ireland from the Mourne Mountains in County Down (45 minutes) to the Giants Causeway (just over an hour). We are always open to acting, whenever possible, as tourist guides and show guests our lovely countryside. Locally we have walks by Lough Neagh and along the, now disused, Lagan Canal. Just down the road is the RSPB bird reserve at Portmore Lough. Recent birds seen include Buzzard, Hen Harrier and Marsh Harrier, Tree Sparrow, Great Crested Grebe, Golden Plover and many duck species.
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
- Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
5 hours per day and 5 days per week.

Photos

Zuzana and Monika at the Giant's Causeway

Azure and Izia

Lucy with artist Neil

Tea break by the garden pond. Tiphaine from France.

Ulrike and Ron enjoying the national drink!

Olivia at the Giant's Causeway

Greta at Ballintoy Harbour, Pike Harbour of the Iron Islands in Game of Thrones

Show all photos

Sara sitting in the Lord Mayor's chair in Belfast City Hall

Benoit cutting open the haggis at our Burns Night Supper celebrating the poetry of the Scottish national bard.

Xavi and Sònia planting in an enlarged border.

Mark and Janet at Castle Ward on a day trip round Strangford Lough

Mandy

Chris

This is the barn to the rear of our house

Feedback left by and about host (80)

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)

26/11/2019

Left by Workawayer (TATIANA) for host

Chris and Mandy are a lovely couple! I spent two weeks helping them. It was a real workaway exchange. I shared a lot of time with Chris learning about Irish music. He is passionate and has many friends who play different instruments. It was awesome to meet them and enjoy how they play music together!
I worked in the garden for it's very big and… read more

(Excellent )

22/11/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (TATIANA)

Tatiana was a surprise for us. As the garden is quiet in the winter, our last Workawayer of the year usually łeaves in early October. When she contacted us, it was a request for a couple of weeks in November. With a few jobs still remaining, we asked her to come. And a lovely surprise she was.
Tatiana was an excellent volunteer, keen to work and… read more

(Excellent )

07/10/2019

Left by Workawayer (Jason) for host

Chris and Mandy made extremely good hosts and I entirely enjoyed the whole 2 and a half weeks there. The main jobs I did was mostly outside in the garden and involved cutting and moving the Grass and weeding. The food provided is well above 5 stars and absolutely delicious, to top that Chris will give you a top cultural experience of his Ireland… read more

(Excellent )

07/10/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Jason)

Our last Workawayer for 2019 has just left us, our sixth year as hosts!
Jason was superb. He learned new tasks very quickly and completed them to an extremely high standard. He also had an eye for tasks that needed to be done even thou we had not mentioned them yet.
His first week with us was fairly heavy work, cutting and raking up our meadow… read more

(Excellent )

05/10/2019

Left by Workawayer (Zuzana & Monika) for host

This was our first workaway experience and we were a little scared of it. Our english isn't very good, but Chis and Mandy were very patient and kind. Chris introduced us with Irish culture and it was very interesting. We enjoyed stay in Northern Ireland very much and we arrived at home full of memories. Thank you for everything what you did for… read more

(Excellent )

09/09/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Zuzana & Monika)

Monika and Zuzana were our first Workawayers from the Czech Republic. It must be said that our Czech is nonexistent and the girls' understanding of English was fairly limited so sometimes instructions were not quite followed as intended! However, that isn't so important. Jobs get done anyway. What they lacked in strength they more than made up for… read more

(Excellent )

25/09/2019

Left by Workawayer (Azure) for host

I've been With Chris and Mandy for a month with my daughter and everything was perfect for a first Workaway experience. They really helped us to feel at home ! Chris taught me about gardening and always tried to find something for my daughter if she wanted to help.

I'll not forget the good meals we shared and the conversation that I've had with… read more

(Excellent )

31/07/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Azure)

Azure and Izia were with us for a month and have just left, having travelled with us to Scotland. Azure was superb in the garden! Sometimes working with me and sometimes by herself she tucked into the task and finished it to a very high standard. On a number of occasions I would list the tasks that needed doing, but expected them completed over a… read more

(Excellent )

12/07/2019

Left by Workawayer (Lucía) for host

I don't know how can I begin with describing such a wonderful experience. If you are searching cultural exchange and learning about the irish culture, definitly this is your place. First of all I want to say thank you to Chris and Mandy for having me and had let me feel part of their family. They are both lovely, kind and generous. Thank you Chris… read more

(Excellent )

02/07/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Lucía)

Lucy has just left us after a monthlong stay. Missing her already, she really was one of the family. Lucy was a very conscientious worker in the garden doing everything asked of her efficiently and to a really high standard. It was not unusual to go out and see what she had completed to see that she had done even more than asked to do.
We can… read more

(Excellent )

01/05/2019

Left by Workawayer (Olivia) for host

Here I am to write the feedback about my first (real) Workaway experience ! Sorry for writing it so late. Staying with Mandy, Chris and their three cats was a wonderful Workaway experience. In one hand, I've learned a lot of skills in the garden with Chris and working everyday for him was more than a pleasure. They live in a beautiful ancient… read more

(Excellent )

15/04/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Olivia)

Olivia was our first Workawayer of 2019, the start of our sixth year as hosts. She was excellent in the garden following instruction and finishing the various tasks to a very high standard. She was lovely to have around the house and had a great sense of humour. We enjoyed her company and it was a pleasure to have her in our home and we're sorry… read more

(Excellent )

25/04/2019

Left by Workawayer (Tiphaine) for host

My stay in Mandy and Chris's home was my first workaway and I'm so glad to have done here.
I would like to thank you for your warm welcome, for taking time to make me visit Northen Ireland, for cooking so many delicious meals and for sharing your way of life. Chris it was a real pleasure to work in the garden ( to drive the ferrari ^^) share… read more

(Excellent )

24/04/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Tiphaine)

Tiphaine stayed with for just ten days; too short a time! Shewas excellent in the garden following instruction and finishing the various tasks to a very high standard. She was lovely to have around the house and had a great sense of humour. We enjoyed her company and it was a pleasure to have her in our home and we're sorry to see her go but will… read more

(Excellent )

15/04/2019

Left by Workawayer (Ulrike & Ronald) for host

We had the best first workaway experience with Chris and Mandy! Communication beforehand was detailed and informative. Arriving in Northern Ireland and being met at the airport by Chris was a great start. Chris’s and Mandy’s house is very comfortable and we felt at home straight away. Our hosts were very welcoming and their hospitality is… read more

(Excellent )

15/04/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Ulrike & Ronald)

Ron and Ulrike stayed with us for just one week. It simply wasn't enough! For the short time that they worked in the garden they made a huge difference, it looked better every day. There was little need for instruction as they already knew what to do, and indeed what needed to be done!
They were also tremendous company and great… read more

(Excellent )

28/09/2018

Left by Workawayer (greta) for host

If you are looking for hospitality, generosity, many laughs and appreciation for your help then join Chris, Mandy and their 3 lovely cats.
I had the privilege of spending 3 weeks with them at their beautiful and quite home . They are 2 wonderful people. Since the beginning I felt as a member of the family !They have so much to share, and I'm… read more

(Excellent )

24/09/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (greta)

Greta was with us for about three weeks in September. It's a time of hard physical work in the garden, cutting meadow grass and stacking it on a trailer to dispose of it. Greta coped with this work perfectly well and undertook it efficiently and we left the garden looking a lot neater! She also completed other tasks around the garden over the… read more

(Excellent )

05/09/2018

Left by Workawayer (Martina) for host

It was my first experience of workaway and sincerely I don’t think it could have been better than that. Chris and Mandy welcomed and treated me as I was at home, I always felt at ease. I had fun during the gardening activities; the garden is pretty big and there’s always something different to do, so it was never boring. Anyway it was necessary to… read more

(Excellent )

03/09/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Martina)

Two weeks was not long enough for Martina to stay! She was a great help in the garden carrying out her tasks to a very high standard. She arrived with us just a few days after we got back from a two week holiday when the garden looked a mess! It was looking quite different on her departure! Martina was also great company in the house with a lot to… read more

(Excellent )

16/08/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Sara)

Sara was with us for only two weeks; we wish it had been longer. Gardening was obviously a new experience for her but she followed instructions and her work was carried out efficiently and to a very high standard. While she was here Ireland was having the most unusual weather, hot and very dry. So dry that we were not allowed to use a hosepipe to… read more

(Excellent )

11/08/2018

Left by Workawayer (Sara) for host

This was my first experience with Workaway and it was just amazing. I was so lucky to find and know people like Chris and Mandy. They are absolutely kind, willing and friendly. There are a lot of things I would like to say, but I will try to be as brief as possible. Despite the several problems I had to face to get there, I had a great time. Doing… read more

(Excellent )

07/04/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Julien)

Julien stayed with us for just over two weeks. It really wasn't long enough! He was a huge help in the garden although a prolonged winter and terrible weather did frustrate our outdoor works. He followed instructions extremely well and all the tasks allotted to him were completed to an excellent standard. He was a great help around the house too… read more

(Excellent )

24/03/2018

Left by Workawayer (Julien) for host

Great first workaway experience!
Chris and Mandy are both easy going people and great cooks!
You will get to go to Belfast which is a very nice town, different breathtaking locations (we went to the north coast), and go to Chris's music gigs (traditional irish music which is incredibly good) and meet his friends at the local pub and other… read more

(Excellent )

09/03/2018

Left by Workawayer (Fiona) for host

I had an absolutely great stay with Chris and Mandy! They are incredibly kind people and will make sure that you feel at home and are comfortable with the work that you are doing. The work in the garden is not difficult or hard and I found it really enjoyable, especially noticing the difference that you can make in a matter of days! Chris and… read more

(Excellent )

08/03/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Fiona)

Fiona was a truly delightful person to have staying in the house this past month. Her English is fluent but it is another thing to be able to pick up on the sense of humour of those around her, especially as the Northern Irish accent is not always the easiest to understand. She was tremendous in the garden getting on with her tasks in an organised… read more

(Excellent )

04/02/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Benoit)

Benoit was our first Workawayer of 2018, the start of our fifth year as Workaway hosts. Two weeks with us was just too short! Benoit was really superb at the various tasks he did in the garden and was great company in the house. January in Ireland does not always produce the best of weather and the work is generally clearing up the detritus of the… read more

(Excellent )

06/10/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Kobe)

What can I say? I write this the day after Kobe has left and the house is very sad without her! First of all she was superb company, did more than her fair share of very fine cooking and was always willing to offer her help in any task that was going on. In the garden Kobe was just amazing. She required very little instruction and was very good at… read more

(Excellent )

05/10/2017

Left by Workawayer (Kobe) for host

I've just spent a month with Chris and Mandy, and it was hard to say goodbye! Such both amazing and lovley people. Not only was I welcomed warmly to their home but their lifestyle and friends too.
It was a lovely experience to spend everyday outside in the garden, very relaxing and very rewarding, especially when you get to eat plenty of tasty… read more

(Excellent )

06/10/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Nicolas)

Nicolas had a wider experience with us than most Workawayers as he started with us in Ireland, working mostly in the garden and then in another property in Aberdeen in Scotland. That was mostly painting and renovation work. And then back to Ireland again, so he saw a lot of the country! His work was steady and he would do exactly what he was asked… read more

(Very good )

06/10/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Bastien & Héloïse )

Bastien and Héloïse stayed with us during July when the garden is at its most productive, growing things that we want but also those weeds that we don't want. They both set around their various tasks with great enthusiasm and were a tremendous help in the garden. In the house too, they were very good company helping with cooking and producing some… read more

(Excellent )

15/08/2017

Left by Workawayer (Bastien & Héloïse ) for host

We were at Chris home for one month and it was a beautiful experience. It was our first workaway and he just gave us the desire to do a new one. He shared with us irish traditions throught irish music and food (he cooks very well and healthy). He showed us a lot of wonderful places in Ireland and we also met some of his Friends.
We warmly… read more

(Excellent )

06/10/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Michael)

Michael stayed with us for about a month. Shall I say that he was the most mature Workawayer we have had since starting on this journey four years ago! He was great company to have in the house and worked away steadily in the garden doing the various tasks to a very high standard. He had been recovering from pneumonia so worked slowly to his… read more

(Excellent )

04/07/2017

Left by Workawayer (Michael) for host

Mandy and Chris welcomed me into their lovely home with grace and hospitality. Chris's patience and understanding was unbounded. He overlooked my shortcomings and never ceased to encourage me whenever necessary. Mandy's culinary skills have spoiled me forever, and Chris's creativity to make a simple meal into something special was quite amazing.… read more

(Excellent )

16/05/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Sònia & Xavier)

Sònia and Xavi were our first vegan Workawayers. I certainly had worries but I think that over the past month we have been introduced to some really interesting food and recipes. I hope we have been able to give them some good ideas too which they can take home with them!
They were great fun to have staying with us with much of our conversation… read more

(Excellent )

07/03/2017

Left by Workawayer (Maria & Ivan) for host

Chris and Mandy have been an excellent hosts, we miss them. This one has been our first experience of workaway and we are never going to forget it. The work has not been very hard, in addition, if we had some problem or doubt Chris always was there to solve it.

They have taken us from excursion to many places of Northern Ireland (Belfast,… read more

(Excellent )

05/03/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Maria & Ivan)

Ivan and Maria have just left us today, our first Workawayers of 2017. The house feels empty; we are missing them already, and so are the cats! They were with us for some six weeks which is quite something when there is not too much to do in the garden in Ireland at this time of year. They were superb at maintenance and painting in the house… read more

(Excellent )

23/10/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Dee)

Dee stayed with us for just two weeks during which time she finished the main task that we had identified for her, namely doing the final weeding before the winter. The task was done superbly leaving the flowerbeds prepared for their winter mulching.
Dee was also great company around the house for both of us And willing to help with the cooking… read more

(Excellent )

02/10/2016

Left by Workawayer (Clara Lou) for host

I had two wonderful weeks staying with Chris and Mandy. I was a little nervous at first, but they both are lovely and welcoming people you just have to feel comfortable to be with immediately.

The work varied from the rather hard work of cutting long grass to planting of bulbs and weeding. After the first day that has been a little exhausting… read more

(Excellent )

01/10/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Clara Lou)

Clara is a lovely quiet girl who is very focused, an excellent worker and, as a guest, a real pleasure to have staying in the house. Her first few days were spent helping to cut and rake up the long meadow grass in the garden which is one of the toughest jobs of our gardening year. Despite a sore back after the first day and the inevitable… read more

(Excellent )

21/09/2016

Left by Workawayer (Janet & Mark) for host

We had a great experience with Chris and Mandy in Aghalee- the work was fulfilling for both of us; the accommodation very comfortable and living together was very easy and fun, with many fine meals eaten together as a family over the two weeks. We appreciated being part of the three generational family and loved spending time with the wee girls!… read more

(Excellent )

05/09/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Janet & Mark)

Janet and Mark were our first "mature" Workawayers and a fine time we have had with them. Things ended up being a little different from when they first agreed to stay some months ago. We had our daughter staying with our two small granddaughters. The house was noisier and more untidy than usual! But they both fitted in and were a huge help… read more

(Excellent )

01/09/2016

Left by Workawayer (Chris) for host

Sorry for this mega late feedback Chris! I stayed with Chris earlier this year for a few weeks, helping out while his wife was away in Scotland. This was my first workaway and I was not sure what to expect, and Chris made this experience one of the most wonderful and welcoming - for him to welcome a stranger (new to workwaway too!) into his home… read more

(Excellent )

22/08/2016

Left by Workawayer (Marina) for host

I spent six amazing weeks with Chris and Mandy in June and July. They were my first experience as workawayers and I couldn’t have expected better hosts. They are really wonderful people, very friendly, time with us was running so fast. The place is nice, and sunsets are beautiful!

Concerning the help, it was really good because it was varied… read more

(Excellent )

02/08/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Marina)

Marina recently spent six weeks with us along with another Workawayer, Magdalena Hangler, whom she had not met before. It was a really lovely easygoing six weeks, one that we will long remember. Apart from the work that she put into the garden which was superb. I could quite often leave both girls on a project and be surprised to see not only… read more

(Excellent )

02/08/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Magdalena)

Magdalena recently spent six weeks with us along with another Workawayer, Marina Gonon, whom she had not met before. It was a really lovely easygoing six weeks, one that we will long remember. Apart from the work that she put into the garden which was superb. I could quite often leave both girls on a project and be surprised to see not only… read more

(Excellent )

30/07/2016

Left by Workawayer (Magdalena) for host

I just arrived home after staying with Chris and Mandy for six weeks and I still don't know how to describe what an amazing time I had. They are both wonderfull people and they make you feel like you're home the moment you arrive there.

It was my first workaway experience and I can highly recommend it to everyone. The work is not too hard and… read more

(Excellent )

10/06/2016

Left by Workawayer (Viola) for host

Amazing, Gorgious, great, nice, perfect, wonderful - all these words are not enough for the time that I spent with Chris! He is a really lovely person. It was my first workaway experience and it was such a great time.
Every single day was great. Sometimes, the work was a bit hard but even though very nice to do. I really enjoyed the work in the… read more

(Excellent )

01/04/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Viola)

I have just left Viola to the bus to Dublin and the house seems very empty without her. We had a lovely time with her, so easy to live with and a huge help in the garden. Luckily we were blessed with three weeks of very fine weather so a lot of work was done in the garden. She did this well and was not satisfied herself until the job was… read more

(Excellent )

10/04/2016

Left by Workawayer (Elisa) for host

Thank you very much for this time !
Chris has by his smile and his hearty kind, very simply made to feel fine.
We had fine weather and enjoyed the work in the beautiful garden.
The excursions, the music, the friends from chris, the conversations . . . all these experiences to be able to make, was great :)
And another one, the meal . . . … read more

(Excellent )

01/04/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Elisa)

Elisa was with us for too short a time, just over a week. She was great fun with a wicked sense of humour! She was a great help in the garden clearing up the dead plants from last season and preparing the vegetable and flower beds for the coming growing season.
Elisa was great company and we wish her the very best for her future and hope to see… read more

(Excellent )

29/11/2015

Left by Workawayer (Lea-Elisa) for host

I had such a great time at this beautiful place with these people!
I travelled on my own in ireland but I friend of mine wanted to visit me, so I asked Chris and it was not a problem for him at all, even she's not on workaway and that just showed me Chris is a cool person. The house and the garden are outstanding, so well organized and planed… read more

(Excellent )

11/11/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Lea-Elisa)

Lea was our last Workawayer of 2015. What a great Workaway year it has been and what a Workawayer to end it with. Lea was such a happy person to have in the house. She has a knowledge of life way beyond her age; always smiling and singing and always looking for something to do. She was also a great help in the kitchen. Good food is such an… read more

(Excellent )

24/09/2015

Left by Workawayer (Elia & Emilio Luis) for host

Chris and Mandy are wonderful people (four smiles aren't enought for them).

It was our first time as workawayers and we were a bit nervous, but Chris’s smile calmed us down quickly. They were fantastic with us: Chris took us to go sightseeing and took us to typical Ireland music live sessions, they were really patient trying to understand us… read more

(Excellent )

16/09/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Elia & Emilio Luis)

Elia and Emilio have just returned to Spain after a two week stay with us. It didn't seem like it but there was a huge amount of work done in the garden. My main task was to cut the long meadow grass which, to a greater extent, was completed in two days. We quite often worked over my five hour limit; Elia and Emilio both just wanted to get the… read more

(Excellent )

10/09/2015

Left by Workawayer (Alejandra) for host

Chris and Mandy are the best persons in the world! and the job is magic!

si tienes la oportunidad de poder ayudarles, esta es la mejor opción de todas, el trabajo es muy divertido y los host son realmente amables, generosos y grandes personas.

Pase grandes momentos, comidas fantásticas y buenas conversaciones, ojalá todos pudiera vivir la… read more

(Excellent )

07/09/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Alejandra)

Ale is another four star Workawayer. We had a lovely time with her. She was lovely to have in the house, great company, and a huge help in the garden. After two weeks away on holiday there was a lot of tidying up to do in the garden. Ale set about the work with an eagerness and efficiency that was pleasing to see. Mexico is a long way away… read more

(Excellent )

27/07/2015

Left by Workawayer (Christian) for host

I spent two wonderful weeks with Chris and Mandy , and I really have to thank them for all the time spent together . They were absolutely wonderful people and although I was not at my house, allowed me to integrate myself to the maximum even though my English was not perfect and sometimes the communication was a bit difficult .
We made some… read more

(Excellent )

24/07/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Christian)

We are starting to believe that all the best people in the world are Workawayers! We have just completed, an all too short, two weeks with Christian. He arrived with us and found himself, a day later, on a boys trip to the west of Ireland. He took it in his stride fitting in really well with a bunch of complete strangers. Back in the garden… read more

(Excellent )

24/06/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Maelle & Amandine)

Oh dear! Amandine and Maëlle have just gone and they have left us a very empty house. They were both lovely to have around for the past three weeks. We both only wish it could have been longer. The two of them came with a knowledge of gardening which was tremendously useful to me and were very much at home either tending to young plants and… read more

(Excellent )

28/05/2015

Left by Workawayer (Maggie) for host

If I could give Chris and Mandy more than 4 smiley faces, I would! I deeply enjoyed spending time with them, and had a wonderful experience in Northern Ireland. They are both superb cooks, and their knowledge is very extensive. Conversations with Chris and Mandy are thought provoking and entertaining. I am still thinking of a better answer to a… read more

(Excellent )

25/05/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Maggie)

Maggie has been an absolutely superb Workawayer. With her biological background in education, she came with a lot of knowledge about gardening which I found immensely useful. She was lovely to have around the house, very easy to get on with and a great conversationalist. Maggie showed an interest in everything and learned very quickly. Jobs… read more

(Excellent )

26/05/2015

Left by Workawayer (Christina & Maren) for host

Mandy and Chris are two very lovely and friendly people! From the first moment they did everything to make us feel like home. The food was brilliant and we learned a lot of new recipes for cooking and baking. In our free time they took us to many different places to show us as much as possible about Ireland and the traditional culture. We had a… read more

(Excellent )

25/05/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Christina & Maren)

I must confess that Mandy and I were a little nervous before Christina and Maren arrived as they both have food allergies which we thought were going to make the food end of things a little difficult. How wrong we were. Yes, a little more thought was needed in planning menus, but in the end we learned a lot about alternative ways of cooking and… read more

(Excellent )

20/04/2015

Left by Workawayer (Moritz ) for host

After I decided to spent my three months abroad in Ireland and with Workaway, Chris and Mandy were my first Host for six weeks. Both of them were absolutely warming, open-minded and welcoming to me. Not only that Chris gave me the possibility to be part of his everyday life, he also gave me the possibility to take part at his music sessions and to… read more

(Excellent )

19/04/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Moritz )

Moritz, our second Workawayer of 2015 and also our second from Germany has left. At six weeks it was by far the longest we have had anyone to stay. And what a pleasure he was to have around the house; very easy to get on with and an absolute gentleman. Moritz was also great in the garden getting tucked into whatever job he was given with… read more

(Excellent )

03/03/2015

Left by Workawayer (Amade) for host

I really did enjoy my 24 days with Mandy and Chris. They are both brilliant company. Mandy is an excellent cook and was always surprising with delicious dishes! Chris is very active in the traditionel irish music scene and took me to the best sessions i have ever been to. Also it was always big fun to work along with him in the garden. The house… read more

(Excellent )

23/02/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Amade)

Amadé and Olga left us yesterday after a four week stay. Olga's first time but this was Amadé's third stay with us in three years. It is always good to have him back with us. He is great to have in the house and now a true friend! Along with Olga the two of them make a superb couple introducing us to lovely new food styles and recipes. Olga was… read more

(Excellent )

04/10/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Fabio)

Our last Workawayer for this year, Fabio, has just left us. What a great month, what a superb volunteer. Fabio knew before he arrived that there was a lot of heavy work to do. He just got stuck in and seemed to really enjoy the work. We finished off most of the projects I had targeted for the month; the garden looks super! Another five star… read more

(Excellent )

15/09/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Morgane & Max)

Max and Morgane stayed with us for over three weeks and were an absolute joy to have around the house. I would give them a job to do in the garden and they would be back in no time with it completed well to my satisfaction. Both very hard, very good workers. Another case of needing a five star rating!!! It is always a sad day when Workawayers… read more

(Excellent )

03/08/2014

Left by Workawayer (Siew Mun) for host

Chris & Mandy treat me just like I'm one of their family. Warm, cosy, comfortable surrounding me all the time and never forget the lovely Irish music~ I feel proud with my Irish name somehow ^o^
I wish I could know more Malaysian food for the cooking, Chris and Mandy are really a good cook.
I'm going with them to East Scotland during their… read more

(Excellent )

31/07/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Siew Mun)

Sullivan has been with us for most of July and came with us to Scotland at the start of our holidays. What a girl!!! Again this is another case of four stars not being enough. The garden is a better place for her efforts and what we have learned about Asian cooking has added immensely to our culinary abilities. Another Workawayer who I am sure… read more

(Excellent )

02/08/2014

Left by Workawayer (Shanti) for host

I had a lot of fun with Chris and Mandy. They were very helpful with my food needs. The garden was really nice and I actually had a good time weeding and working outside. The best part was on the weekend they took me up to the north coast which was just wonderful. Not many hosts take the time to be tour guides!

(Excellent )

03/07/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Shanti)

We fitted Shanti into a spare week in our calendar which suited us both. Unfortunately I had to leave her to work by herself for much of the time as I do like to share the work with our Workawayers. Shanti did everything we asked of her and more. We are both sorry she was with us for only a week and highly recommend her to future hosts.

(Excellent )

24/06/2014

Left by Workawayer (Katherine) for host

My experience with Chris and Mandy in Northern Ireland was incredibly more than I expected! My sister and I left with not only an amazing experience in the countryside of green Ireland, but with two friends we will keep for many years to come! Chris and Mandy are two of the most welcoming, and knowledgeable people I know, a true example of Irish… read more

(Excellent )

23/06/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Katherine)

Katie arrived with us a few days after her sister, Anela. I want to give her more than four smilies! They aere both superb around the garden, their main project creating a pathway through some very thick shrubbery. She was an absolute pleasure to hae around the house. We miss her already and can recommend her highly to othere hosts.

(Excellent )

23/06/2014

Left by Workawayer (Anela) for host

Chris and Mandie were above and beyond what I expected from the workaway experience. Welcoming, accomodating, and laid-back with a set of expectations that fit perfectly with my sister and I. Their garden is unbelievable, beautiful, and their cooking was amazing! On top of that, the cats were icing on top of the cake with wonderful personalities.… read more

(Excellent )

23/06/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Anela)

Four smilies are not enough for Anela! And five are probably insufficient too! She was with us for nearly three weeks, a few days longer thatn her sister Katie who arrived a little later. They creasted a pathway for us through some rough ground and set about the work both keenly and efficiently. Anela was a delight to have around the house and… read more

(Excellent )

30/05/2014

Left by Workawayer (Martin & Camilla) for host

Chris & Mandy were great hosts, we really enjoyed our time with them! They are friendly, humorous and laid back, we could really feel at home! Mandy cooked fantastic vegetarian food for us and Chris took us to excellent sessions in irish pubs!
The garden is absolutely beautiful and huge, working there is good fun but never too hard.
And you have… read more

(Excellent )

28/05/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Martin & Camilla)

Martin and Camilla have just left today, our first workawayers! What a great experience. They were superb. Weeding, planting, cutting up a fallen tree; they set about each task with efficiency. If following volunteers are like Martin and Camilla life will be excellent!!

(Excellent )

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