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Enjoy a peaceful rural experience in beautiful Gortahork, Ireland

Availability

  2025 

 Min stay requested: at least a week

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    We are a married couple who live with our 3 little cats, 6 hens and 2 roosters in our recently purchased home near the beautiful mountains of North West Donegal, in the Gaeltacht (Irish speaking region). We have a small field and some trees and have started growing in raised beds in an organic style of gardening.
    It is a rural, peaceful and natural area with the mountain range and Glenveagh National Park nearby and within 12 minute drives to two stunning beaches.
    The Irish culture is alive and well here, with Gaelic (Irish) being the main language spoken along with English, as well as music sessions and local traditions evident in the area.
    Our usual workaway stay is 1 week up to a month at a time :) But in some cases we may be able to accommodate for longer.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
  • Interests

    Interests

    Sustainability
    Self development
    Pets
    Movies & TV
    Fashion or beauty
    Farming
    Events & social
    Culture
    Writing
    Performing arts
    Music
    History
    Drawing & painting
    DIY & crafts
    Cooking & food
    Books
    Art & design
    Animals
    Yoga / Wellness
    Team sports
    Nature
    Mountain
    Hiking
    Dancing
    Beach
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    This a very traditionally Irish part of the country. You can practice Irish (Gaelic) here and take part in a music session or set dancing. Locally can take a trip to one of the islands or the national parks and often a beach day or sea swims are included if you like the sea!

    With us, you will learn how to take care of chickens in a free range, small farm style and some beginner gardening skills. We live in a fairly sustainable manner as this has a big emphasis on what we do so you will also experience how we do that :) We also do some cooking and baking, in particular gluten free and low carb, make our own kefir and grain free breads. You may add to your DIY repertoire with some light painting and basic tasks, although we may be learning from you also in some regards!

    If music is your thing, we have brought workawayers to local music sessions, Leo's Tavern for live music which is the home of Enya and also local Céilí dancing.

    If you would like to practice the local dialect of Donegal Irish (Gaelic) you are welcome to speak it with Edel here, or indeed practice your English.

    We will also happy cook some traditional Irish cuisine for you and share a drink or tea overlooking the valley here as the sun sets, or in front of a traditional turf fire!

  • Help

    Help

    Ideally we are looking for people with DIY skills if possible to help us as we do little tasks around our home. We are happy to collaborate and assist in this process as is often a learning journey!

    If you are not into DIY however and more into animals we have 3 lovely cats who are like family to us and we would be reassured if we need to go away that there is someone home to mind them. Also our chickens!

    Gardening-wise we will eventually be developing our field and fruit trees and in the meantime have started a small organic garden which may need a little care. One fairly unique Irish experience we have here our own bog for turf. This is done by hand as has been passed down for hundreds of years by our ancestors, and only in certain regions and is a very traditional and special type of work. We would be happy to show you this, if the weather is good for the time of year!

    Other duties can include some general cleaning and house tasks, and food prep for the animals. Sometimes little tasks come up day to day.

    A good attitude is the main thing and we appreciate people who are open and willing, as we also endeavour to do the same from our side so that people have a good experience staying with us here :)

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    Irish: Fluent
    French: Beginner

    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.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Private bedroom and bathroom in our house, with king sized bed. For the electric shower this is in a different room (our en suite) but it always seems to work out fine.

    We are happy for guests to cook for themselves, by choosing food that they like which is covered by us, however we can also share some cooking activities with our guests, and everyone gets some typical Irish home cooked meals from us!

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    You will be staying in a really beautiful and unspoilt part of Ireland where life is still very natural here. It is an excellent area for hikes, mountain climbing, exploring local islands and water activities. It is a highly musical and creative part of the country also without heavy tourism.

    However, we are fairly remote here so please only consider coming if you feel you are independent to get around. There is a bus service from the local village where you can explore a wide range of activities. In order to get to and from the village you can walk (45 mins), there is a taxi service available or we will give you lifts when we can.

    It is a 40 min walk to the closest shop if you prefer to walk than to get a lift with us.

    We are flexible and easy going however our rule for guests is no heavy drinking, no drugs or smoking at the house.

    We also have quite a peaceful household and our cats are used to this sort of environment, although music is fine!

    Local sights include Tory Island, Glenveagh National Park, The Workhouse in Dunfanaghy, Leo's Tavern, Errigal Mountain, Muckish Mountain, the Backstrand Beach and Magheroarty Beach.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    We have a decent internet connection in your bedroom, however it is excellent in the other rooms closer to the modem

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    This host can provide space for campervans.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    Two

Host ref number: 521998457619

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