Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
29 Apr 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
38
ID verified
Email verified
Badges (5)
Details
Description
Hello, my name is Fionntáin, you are welcome to my forest :-)
On a south facing slope, my 9 acre forest consists of about 7200 deciduous trees which were planted in 2001…. a clearing in the middle allows for views to the beautiful mountains...... if you are looking for a peaceful secluded natural environment then this could be the place for you....... please be clear that this is a rustic off grid experience with basic facilities at present, for example outside compost toilet and shower (usually cold)...... temporary accommodation for visitors and volunteers consists of a 3 bed mobile home and a 2 berth caravan. There are only a few of the appliances found in the average european household.
I am creating eco spaces within the forest for playing, relaxing, dancing and living….. i love dancing and music so much.... 🕺❤️💃 .....eco timber structures surrounded by trees…. the spaces are cleared and work proceeding nicely.
This forest, this place of calm is a place for-rest. We live in a very busy world, it is good to rest. Take a break, take stock, recharge the batteries. There's lots of ideas about what's best for our wellbeing and i’ve tried lots of them. Right now it appears to me that we don't need to try so hard anymore, we have everything we need right here, right now (although i can't say i always act accordingly)..... there is nothing else but this….. and in this inexplicable reality, the form called Fionntáin presents as a singer songwriter and performer, living off grid, alone with the birds and bees, the plants and the trees. All this presents plenty of challenges, the time it's taking to complete the job being one, but i remain committed
To balance the opportunity this project offers for rest, relaxation and fun, a commitment to focus on the tasks at hand and do the best job you can is essential. I also ask that you are genuinely interested in and respectful of the vibration i am creating here, that you are courteous and respectful to all who come here and reside here, that you keep the mobile home tidy, that you take no alcohol or drugs at any time during your stay, that you only smoke outdoors and that you are contactable at all times in case of emergency.
GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS
If you are travelling from abroad, please check all relevant government requirements including visas before applying
IMMIGRATION
If you are from outside the EU on a 90 day visa or other type of visa, please let me know
HYGIENE
It is important that each volunteer sleeps in their own sleeping bag, and uses their own towel and soap, that the mobile home is kept clean and tidy and that all dishes are washed and rinsed in hot water at least once each day with the eco liquid provided. These standards are not just for the sake of hygiene but also for the comfort of other volunteers who may be sharing with you.
TIME OFF
This is a very quiet, calm peaceful place in the countryside near a quiet village. Some volunteers may find it too quiet. You need to be self-sufficient. Be prepared to entertain yourself rather than being entertained by others.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Interests
Technology
Vegetarian or vegan
Sustainability
Movies & TV
Performing arts
Writing
Architecture
DIY & crafts
Art & design
Music
Yoga / Wellness
Dancing
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I have been a workaway volunteer myself for 2 years travelling around Europe. So i have an understanding of what ingredients produce a good experience.
Acknowledging that we all perceive things differently, what i perceive here in this forest is peace and quite.... in exchange for your presence, energy and 6 hours help 5 days a week, i offer in return an opportunity to connect with nature, to feel ireland in your bones, to relax and unwind and gain some eco building / forestry experience
Help
Tasks incl sorting and cutting timber, mowing the lawn, cutting firewood, help around the house and caring for the forest.... thanks to all the volunteers for all their assistance :-)
PROJECTS PLANNED
Creating eco spaces for dancing and living
Ongoing forestry care
Gathering, chopping and stacking timber
Clearing brambles and creating walks through the forest
Help with cooking and cleaning
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
FACILITIES
As noted above the accommodation is very basic. Volunteers have a 3 bedroom mobile home and a 2 berth caravan, which is situated in a large clearing in the centre of the forest, so theres lots of sunlight. The bedrooms are unheated, so they will be comfortable from approx April/May to September. If someone wishes to come during the colder days of autumn and winter when sometimes the bedrooms are below 0 degrees, i am open to discussing their request. Pillows and duvets are provided. As noted above, please bring your own sleeping bag, towel and soap. I live in an adjacent mobile home. Please let me know if you are taller than 1.85m to ensure you get a suitable bed
The mobile home has a 2 ring gas hob and sink. Perishable food is kept cool in a cold box outside. Fresh running water from the well is available. An outdoor compost toilet (aka dry toilet) and a gravity fed solar shower area are provided. The shower will have lukewarm water on sunny days only from April to September and cold water, sometimes freezing water on all other days. An outdoor hot water bath, heated underneath by an open fire, is available all year long. It takes one hour for the water to heat.
SOLAR POWER
There is solar power with enough capacity to give each volunteer a charging point for a phone during winter, a light and a charging point for a phone during summer and, as noted above, if theres enough sun, a pc. During winter battery lights are provided
MOBILE PHONE
at present i dont have wifi. With mobile data, i go online regularly..... my mobile signal on the 'three' network is very good and only drops for a few seconds occasionally..... my phone can be a hotspot for one hour per day if required
MOBILE PHONE DURING WORK HOURS
Most volunteers are very responsible in their use of both calls and music on their phones during work, but there are some who have regular calls. If you feel you will have regular calls during working hours this is not the place for you
DIET
Food is mostly vegetarian/vegan/organic. For breakfast i provide oats, rice milk, fresh fruit, dried fruit, seeds, and sometimes local honey. Dinner is usually rice/lentils/potatoes/salads with vegetable stirfry/stew, lighter food in warmer weather. Please let me know if there is any specific food you need and i will try to provide. If you are cooking, it will be taken as part of your volunteering hours. I try to avoid buying food with dairy, processed sugar, processed salt and gmos , but i have been known to make exceptions!!
CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
I reduce, reuse and recycle very consciously, aware of the cycle of life, caring for the earth.... i ask volunteers to separate their waste, clean them and put them into whatever containers are provided and also that the trees, plants, insects, animals, the birds and the bees of the forest are all treated with respect.
CLOTHES
During summer please bring an old shirt, trousers, sun hat, old 100% waterproof and breathable rain gear and old shoes or boots. Wellingtons, waterproofs, warm jacket and warm boots are important to have during winter because there is a lot of working in the rain. Slip on footwear is very important for going in and out of the mobile home.
There is no washing machine here. Please bring clothes that are easily washed by hand and dried, particularly during winter as there is very little space inside for drying in the colder darker days.
Also in winter, please bring lots of warm clothes. I wish that we warm ourselves first by wearing thermal underwear and layers of warm clothes before we heat the rooms we are in and that we only light the woodburning stove when it is needed. A headtorch is handy in winter
TENT
A 4 person tent is available, which is warm inside from May/June to August/September
MEDICAL TREATMENT AND UNFORESEEN EXPENSES
When travelling from abroad, in case you have to visit the doctor and if you are eligible, it is advisable to have a European Health Insurance card or other similar insurance.
HOUSE RULE
Please leave no trace of your visit, i ask that you clean your bedroom, the kitchen and living room including all surfaces and all floors before you depart
What else ...
SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES
It is important to know that i respect each volunteers private space, their likes and dislikes. We are all unique beautiful individuals. I do not assume that because you come and stay at my place that we are going to get along like a house on fire. If that happens to be the case, that would be wonderful, but its an added extra. Be assured that it is entirely up to each person to spend their free time as they wish.
A small village is within walking distance with restaurant, small shop open 7days, pub, petrol pumps and post box. There are 2 caravan parks in the area and its a 5 minute drive to the nearest hotel. Tipperary town is 15minute drive away with a small selection of shops, 3 cafes, pubs, a swimming pool, library, cinema and theatre.
Local Attractions include:
1. Superb walking trails through the Glen of Aherlow and up the Galtee Mountains. My forest is on some of these walking trails.
2. Some small megalithic monuments and ancient wells close by
3. Cahir Castle with Swiss Cottage and Sculpture Park
4. The Rock of Cashel
5. Lough Gur with a wonderful megalithic stone circle (the largest in Ireland), lake walks, archaeological site and ringforts, homes of 'the little people'
6. Mitchelstown caves
TRANSPORT : ALL THE INFORMATION BELOW IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT SHORT NOTICE PLEASE READ ALL RELEVANT WEBSITES FOR UPDATES
IRISH RAIL TRAIN TICKETS: PLEASE BUY YOU TICKETS ONLINE, ITS CHEAPER. IF YOU BUY IN THE STATION JUST BEFORE DEPARTURE, IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE: irishrail.ie
BUS TICKETS: CHECK THE ONLINE PRICE BEFORE PLANNING YOUR TRIP: expressway.ie
TRAVELLING FROM ABROAD
BY AIR
Dublin Airport is the most convenient.
Public Transport
TRAIN
Take Bus from Dublin Airport to Dublin Heuston Train Station (search dublinexpress), then train from Heuston Station to Tipperary town which leaves at 5pm, usually monday to saturday only..... or if that doesnt suit, Dublin Heuston to Limerick Junction leaves every 2 hours approx. Check out
BUS
Take expressway bus from Dublin airport to Tipperary Town. Its a long way to Tipperary!!! can be 5 hours, but it may suit you better!!! For more info and to book tickets (search expressway)
I can pick you up from and drop you back to the train station or bus stop at no cost. Please let me know well in advance so i can plan my day
Please note: Limerick Junction Train Station is near Tipperary town and is not in Limerick City.
BY FERRY
Dublin port: There are some public transport connections to the city centre where you can catch the train mentioned above. Check with your ferry company.
Rosslare Harbour: Check BusEireann website for bus timetable: buseireann.ie
TRAVELLING FROM WITHIN IRELAND
Plan to arrive in Tipperary Town and i can pick you up and drop you back there at no cost or if you have your own transport come straight to the forest
***************************************************************************************
MAKING AN APPLICATION FOR A VOLUNTEER POSITION
If you are inspired to apply for a volunteer position, please answer the following questions:
* What is it about my project that inspires you to apply ?
* Are you healthy and fit ?
* Do you have any physical conditions that may affect your ability to work?
* Do you have any mental conditions that may affect your ability to work?
In order to see if we will work well together i interview all shortlisted applicants on a video call.
Thank you for taking the time to read all my profile :-)
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
at present i dont have wifi. my mobile data signal is on the 'three' network is very good and only drops occasionally. my phone can be a hotspot for one hour per day if required. my solar panel system have limited power, but i have an inverter generator that can be used if a pc is neccessary
Space for parking camper vans
Those travelling in Campervans and Motorhomes are very welcome.
Can possibly accept pets
Yes. I love having pets around. There is plenty of space outside. Inside depends on the pet. One volunteers dog ripped the upholstery. So my place will not suit some pets.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (28)
To the reviewer - an opportunity to recollect their experiences:
So much has happened in such a short span of time spent traveling, a wide swirl of memories. My stay at Fionntán's, however, feels distinctly different from camping, trains or ferries and bnbs; after I had spent… read more
Photos
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)
To the reviewer - an opportunity to recollect their experiences:
So much has happened in such a short span of time spent traveling, a wide swirl of memories. My stay at Fionntán's, however, feels distinctly different from camping, trains or ferries and bnbs; after I had spent… read more
The work involves a range of things: for my stay a bit of hard physical labor, but this I didn't mind. It was nice that as he knew of my passion for gardening he got me to do that in the last few days I was there too.… read more
I had a great time with this generous and gentle man. The energy he creates is both serene and motivating.
I had a wonderful time with the other workawayers there, Constance, Juan and Roger; going off… read more
Fionntáin is a very beautiful person who will always be ready to smile at you, to make you laugh and to generously share with you some of his thoughts, stories but also his songs! He will also always be there to help you, to explain things to you gently and to make you feel comfortable and at… read more
That's funny because few months ago I was wondering what would I leave as a feedback for my experience. I had no expectations before coming there except feel nature, use my hands, meet peoples and thinking differently.
Now, I am glad to write that Fionntáin and Adam (another present volonteer)… read more
I often think back on the unique peace and quiet I experienced there. He has created a beautiful place to rest and reconnect.
Thank you!
it will be challenging but we made it...
im really happy to contribute to your wonderful project.
thank you
Mario
I thought I knew what to write about Fionntain, but now that I am typing I feel a loss for words! I spent an incredibly rejuvenating 6 weeks here, and as I was leaving, I remember feeling like a stone that had been tumbling in the ocean for 6 weeks, a bit smoother around the edges.
Fionntain is an extremely accommodating host,… read more
since I arrived Fin did… read more
