Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
5 Apr 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 4 days
Feedback
11
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
****We have space for someone to stay with us for at minimum of 3 months from the start of August . We appreciate if you can write to us in English so that we can see your level.
Hello,
We are a family of four.
Ciara, 33, secondary school teacher of French and Spanish. I also speak intermediate Portuguese.
Raymond, 29, delivery driver in a family business.
Lochlann, very happy toddler boy born in December 2021.
Éimhín, baby girl was born in December 2023.
Éabha, super friendly and cuddly Bernese Mountain Dog, 3 years old.
We have been doing WorkAway since June 2022 and we absolutely love it. We have loved getting to know everyone who has stayed with us, seeing their confidence grow in the English and seeing Ireland through their eyes in a way.
We live in a new four bedroom house in Newtownmountkennedy in North Wicklow. It is connected by two frequent bus services. We are also often out and about in the cars so can help with lifts to Dublin (Raymond travels their everyday for work) other transport or local places. The house is modern and very warm with views of the hills nearby and a slight view of the sea. Newtownmountkennedy is a small town with some cafés, a supermarket, small businesses, a hotel and a community centre with local events, a forest and a good public transport link to a nearby bustling seaside town.
Wicklow is an amazing county to visit and explore, it’s nicknamed the Garden of Ireland. We are surrounded by mountains, the sea, forests, lakes, lovely villages, farmland… We are situated 15 minute drive from part of the Wicklow Way. This is a trailed route going through the whole of wicklow county.
In our free time we enjoy cooking, baking, walks with our dog, meeting family, cycling, anything outdoors, travelling.
Ray is particularly passionate about cars, yoga, holistic living, whilst Ciara is very keen on crafts, quilting, etc. We have both been in the Scouts for many years, Ciara since 10 years old and Raymond since 21 years old.
We have two bikes, 1 road bike and 1 touring bike which you would be welcome to use.
You can rent a car in Greystones (next town beside us). It's called gocar.ie.
With our son Lochlann we enjoy playing, reading, trips to the pool, visits to the library and play dates at local playgroups etc.
Our dog is 3 years old, loves belly rubs and short walks of less than 20mins. She also loves cuddling on the couch and hoovering the floor after our son has dropped his food.
We love travelling, in Ireland and abroad. We would be happy to assist you with planning trips around Ireland with tips about routes and places to visit.
We are open to new cultures, keen to learn from you, and to share in all aspects. We are friendly, chatty, hard-working and warm. Looking forward to hearing from you. If you are keen to improve your language skills, Ciara’s experience as a language teacher (and previously teaching EFL) will be of help to you.
The main work that we need help with is with childcare. When he is asleep we will need help with household chores like tidying, cooking and cleaning. Another task is to walk the dog when necessary. We will give you suggestions of activities to do with him in the area to help pass the time. We value the importance of learning languages from a young age so we ask that you speak in your native language to Lochlann. We are delighted to speak English with you to help you improve.
Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions.
We do not accept any smokers so please don't apply if you are a smoker.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Animal Care
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Travellers will get from this experience what they wish. We would love for them to engage with us and get to know us. We would also encourage travellers who are here to learn English to become involved in the community in some way, perhaps by participating in local events, getting to know people and so on. We are passionate about time outdoors, a balanced lifestyle, and caring for our son and dog. Travellers would learn about way of life in Ireland, culture, get to know the beautiful county and country we live in, learn the language and much more.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
The main work that we need help with is with childcare. When he is asleep we will need help with household chores like tidying, cooking and cleaning. Another task is to walk the dog when necessary. We will give you suggestions of activities to do with him in the area to help pass the time. We value the importance of learning languages from a young age so we ask that you speak in your native language to Lochlann. We are delighted to speak English with you to help you improve. We would love to learn from you in terms of cooking, any hobbies, language skills.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
French: Fluent
Portuguese: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
Hi I'm Ciara, I’m a keen language learner having studied Irish in school and French, Spanish and Portugueses in university. I teach French and Spanish and am always keen to practise them and learn more.
Accommodation
bedroom to yourself. Warm room, bedding provided. The bathroom has a bath and shower.
The house itself is a new four bedroom house in a housing estate.
What else ...
In your time off there are so many things that you can do.
The town is well served by three buses, 131, 133 and 184. These connect to the rail system for Dublin (called the DART) and the east coast of Ireland. Ray also drives to Dublin daily for work so can drop you places.
In our area you can do the following: beach or forest walks, swimming in lakes, the sea or the pool, hiking, mountain biking, cycling (we have two bikes you can use), visiting local towns and villages and of course weekend trips to other parts of Ireland. There are very good local libraries and small theatres nearby that host events. Nearby sights are the Botanic Gardens, Glendalough, Wicklow Mountains National Park, Lough Tay (where Vikings was filmed), Greystones (lovely seaside town with lots of eateries and coastal walks), Wicklow Town and of course we are only 50 mins or so from Dublin city centre by bus.
Local walking routes are
- Greystones to Wicklow Town coastal walk
- Bray to Greystones route
- any part of the Wicklow Way
Please do your research about the climate in Ireland. It's very changeable. You must come prepared with suitable clothing and have the right attitude to make the most of the situation. Some people don't like when it rains in Ireland, we believe "There's no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing".
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
Hours expected
Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (6)
From minute one I felt very welcomed. I was asked about food I don’t like, allergies and other likes and dislikes. Throughout my whole experience I felt cared about and could see that my opinion always mattered. They tell you clearly what you have to do coming to work, but always remain flexible if you have… read more
We would host Pia again she was just amazing all round. Her English was fantastic so communication was very good. Whoever host’s Pia next is very lucky to have in their home.
I had my own room with a comfortable bed, dresser and desk. It was very clean. Same goes for the bathroom.
Communication has always been great since I was a big fan of… read more
Lochlann is a wonderful baby, it was a pleasure to mind him and to spend time with him. Eabha, the dog, is also the best : she'll give you a lot of cuddles but she won't leave you any… read more
Meal plans and making dinners she was great at. We got into a routine where she would organise what meals she… read more
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)
From minute one I felt very welcomed. I was asked about food I don’t like, allergies and other likes and dislikes. Throughout my whole experience I felt cared about and could see that my opinion always mattered. They tell you clearly what you have to do coming to work, but always remain flexible if you have… read more
We would host Pia again she was just amazing all round. Her English was fantastic so communication was very good. Whoever host’s Pia next is very lucky to have in their home.
I had my own room with a comfortable bed, dresser and desk. It was very clean. Same goes for the bathroom.
Communication has always been great since I was a big fan of… read more
Lochlann is a wonderful baby, it was a pleasure to mind him and to spend time with him. Eabha, the dog, is also the best : she'll give you a lot of cuddles but she won't leave you any… read more
Meal plans and making dinners she was great at. We got into a routine where she would organise what meals she… read more
Household tasks were always discussed with me in advance and I was informed about the daily routine. However, I was also flexible to simply help out in the… read more
Laura is very friendly, warm and easy to chat to. She had many interests and likes to learn more. She is hard working, clean, very responsible and respectful. She was very easy to have around and our young son loved spending time with her. He felt very… read more
