Join a young, friendly couple on our dairy farm near Kinsale, Ireland

Details

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  Description

  My name is Isabelle. My partner Maurice (35) and I (27) run a dairy farm in Kilbrittain, Bandon, Co. Cork.
  We milk 200 cows and the general structure of our year is:
  Febuary-March: Calving, milking, getting animals out to pasture grazing.
  April-September: Milking, rearing stock, tractor work, farm maintenance.
  October-January: Drying off Dairy cows, preparing to house animals for winter months.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  DIY and building projects

  Farmstay help

  Help around the house
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Maurice and I both grew up in this area and are passionate about sharing it with visitors.
  We are both young, friendly outgoing people.
  
  I spent 6 months living in New Zealand in 2022 working on a Dairy Farm and therefore understand the importance of being welcoming, supportive and inclusive to working visitors.
  
  We are both involved in our local GAA club (hurling and football) so there would be plenty of opportunities for visitors to attend matches.
  I have a horse on the farm and there are also several horse yards within a 15 minute radius so plenty of opportunity for horse-riding if you desire.
  There is a local pub 5 minutes from our house which is a nice place for a few drinks.
  
  The main learning opportunities we offer are upskilling in the English Language, farm and livestock skills, and also skills for running a business.

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  Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage

  This host offers accommodation and payment.

  Host has indicated that they will pay at least the minimum hourly wage of their country for each hour worked and that accommodation will also be provided. They are asking for help with a business or business activity. Contact the host directly via the site messenger for more information and details about the wage provided. Any arrangements should be agreed in advance with your host.

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  Help

  We have 200 dairy cows which calf in February and March every year.
  Maurice and I work on the farm full time and Eileen (Maurice's mother) works full time on the farm for the months of February and March but takes a step back to part-time come April as she has her own B&B business to run for the summer months.
  
  As it is on every farm, we are always busy, but especially during calving season.
  As mentioned above, we both work on the farm full time and therefore the workaway programme would be hugely beneficial to us to have a helping hand and to ease the pressure on us. Any person that does join us as a work away will not be expected to work 10-12 hour days, a helping hand for 3-6 hours a day (either split or in one block) is what we are looking for. We would also offer a flexible work day rota to give people opportunities to explore the surrounding area.
  
  Experience is not essential as training would be provided, a general interest in animals and their care would be beneficial. One of us will always be on the farm alongside you so people would not have to worry about having too much responsibility especially at the start. There is also opportunity to help with housekeeping in the B&B (April to October), gardening and/or general housework if you desire. We do not have any children so childcare IS NOT included in work duties.
  
  Work would include a variety of helping with:
  Milking
  Feeding calves
  Caring for calves
  Fencing
  General farm maintenance
  Gardening
  Light housework
  
  Workawayers will be paid for every hour worked and an hourly rate will be agreed upon before your arrival.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Irish: Intermediate

  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.
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  Accommodation

  Visitors would be sharing a house with Either Maurice and I, or Eileen and her husband Jonas. Both houses are located on the farm.
  Both living quarters would include your own bedroom and on-suite bathroom.
  Kitchen space would be shared in both houses.
  
  Both houses have dogs and cats who sleep inside.
  
  Meal sharing will be flexible. We would likely provide you with one meal a day. But the kitchen will be a shared space for you to store/cook/eat food of your own as well.

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  What else ...

  The farm is located a 5 minute walk Coolmain and Harbour view beach in Kilbrittain, Co. Cork. It is a beautiful and tranquil place to live, ideal for peaceful country walks and outdoor activities.
  Garretstown and Garylucas beaches are a 10 minute drive from the farm and are accessible by a local bus service. Here you can surf, kayak and windsurf. There are also several coffee docks and Saunas which create a hive of activity and good vibes on a sunny day.
  
  The farm is 20 minutes from Kinsale, Bandon and Clonakilty town which are all interlinked by the local bus service mentioned above. These towns are very popular with tourists as they are bustling with pubs, cafes music and Irish culture.
  
  This really is a unique area that offers endless experiences to any visiting person, but would also suit someone who wants to escape the hustle and bustle of modern day life and chill out by the sea and in nature.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  Can possibly accept pets

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

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  Flexible. Anything from 3-8 hours a day. Whatever suits the work away person as they will be paid by the hour.