Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
24 Apr 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 14 days
Feedback
29
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
Hello! We are a family of six living in the seaside village of Oysterhaven in County Cork, with dogs, cats, chickens and pigs. We have an 18th century house and outbuildings which we are in the process of renovating, and about 15 acres of land with old stone walls and ancient trees. The garden gives directly on to the beach, where there is safe swimming and kayaking, and we are a few kilometres from the beautiful town of Kinsale. There are lovely walks around the coast, and we have bicycles should you wish to go further. Oysterhaven in the summer is a busy, buzzy place, with a sailing and activity centre on our doorstep, and a mobile sauna on the next beach. What's not to love?!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
This is a glorious part of the world, rich in history and culture, and offering lots to do and see: Charles Fort in Kinsale, museums and galleries in Cork city, beautiful beaches and landscape further afield in West Cork
Help
We are looking for help in the garden and surrounding field, which we are in the early stages of restoring and re-wilding, and would welcome anyone with a love of nature and of being outdoors in a beautiful part of the world. We also have a number of building projects on the go, that would suit anyone with any woodworking or construction skills
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Italian: Intermediate
German: Beginner
Accommodation
Accommodation is a four bedroom cottage with en suite bathrooms and own kitchen, so this would particularly suit a group of friends or couples travelling together - but it could also offer a communal space for meeting new people. We will fill your fridge and cupboards and can also offer use of a barbecue.
What else ...
We are a busy family with grown up children who come and go from college and work and a big building project on our hands. This is our first year of hosting Workawayers, but not of welcoming people into our home, which is something we have always enjoyed. This will suit someone who is relatively independent and not fazed by chaos. A love of animals would definitely help too! Also worth noting: we eat mostly vegetarian, with only an occasional nod to the meat eaters in the family, so be prepared to have your mind blown by good food
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Host ref number: 547965691786
Feedback (17)
14 Apr 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Claudini Antonio & Juan Pablo)
Tony and Pablo are like a double ray of sunshine. They light up the room with their enthusiasm and good cheer, and leave everyone just a little bit brighter for it. They work hard and with initiative, and are eager to learn and to get involved in any job. They made particularly short shrift of taking down a glass house, and also did a brilliant… read more
(Excellent
)
14 Mar 2024
Left by Workawayer (Claudini Antonio & Juan Pablo) for host
We had an incredible stay in Oysterhaven. Sarah and Bruce made sure all of us felt comfortable and happy at all times, shared with us their infinite life wisdom and were always willing to help us out with a giant smile on their faces. Simon gave us precise instructions and provided us with all the gear we needed while cheering us up no matter the… read more
12 Apr 2024
Left by Workawayer (Kadya) for host
This was a wonderful Workaway experience! Sarah and Bruce were so welcoming and kind, and I really enjoyed our dinner conversations. The food is amazing!
Their home and land is beautiful and it was always fun and satisfying to do different jobs around the place, such as painting up the study, panelling the walls, and building a new piggy pen.… read more
Their home and land is beautiful and it was always fun and satisfying to do different jobs around the place, such as painting up the study, panelling the walls, and building a new piggy pen.… read more
28 Mar 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Philip)
Philip is amazing. He is a talented carpenter and artist, and a good, kind, generous human. He initially planned to stay only three weeks, but we quickly asked him to extend it, and had his visa not been up, we would have loved him to stay longer. He helped incredibly hard and went above and beyond what was expected of him, and we came to see him… read more
(Excellent
)
28 Jan 2024
Left by Workawayer (Philip) for host
AMAZING here! I arrived and was immediately welcomed by a very kind family into a comfortable home. I was originally only going to stay about two weeks and I stayed over two months. I will be returning. The work in the home and around the farm is satisfying in such a beautiful nature setting. I enjoyed my time with the pigs and chickens and I will… 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)
14 Apr 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Claudini Antonio & Juan Pablo)
Tony and Pablo are like a double ray of sunshine. They light up the room with their enthusiasm and good cheer, and leave everyone just a little bit brighter for it. They work hard and with initiative, and are eager to learn and to get involved in any job. They made particularly short shrift of taking down a glass house, and also did a brilliant… read more
(Excellent
)
14 Mar 2024
Left by Workawayer (Claudini Antonio & Juan Pablo) for host
We had an incredible stay in Oysterhaven. Sarah and Bruce made sure all of us felt comfortable and happy at all times, shared with us their infinite life wisdom and were always willing to help us out with a giant smile on their faces. Simon gave us precise instructions and provided us with all the gear we needed while cheering us up no matter the… read more
12 Apr 2024
Left by Workawayer (Kadya) for host
This was a wonderful Workaway experience! Sarah and Bruce were so welcoming and kind, and I really enjoyed our dinner conversations. The food is amazing!
Their home and land is beautiful and it was always fun and satisfying to do different jobs around the place, such as painting up the study, panelling the walls, and building a new piggy pen.… read more
Their home and land is beautiful and it was always fun and satisfying to do different jobs around the place, such as painting up the study, panelling the walls, and building a new piggy pen.… read more
28 Mar 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Philip)
Philip is amazing. He is a talented carpenter and artist, and a good, kind, generous human. He initially planned to stay only three weeks, but we quickly asked him to extend it, and had his visa not been up, we would have loved him to stay longer. He helped incredibly hard and went above and beyond what was expected of him, and we came to see him… read more
(Excellent
)
28 Jan 2024
Left by Workawayer (Philip) for host
AMAZING here! I arrived and was immediately welcomed by a very kind family into a comfortable home. I was originally only going to stay about two weeks and I stayed over two months. I will be returning. The work in the home and around the farm is satisfying in such a beautiful nature setting. I enjoyed my time with the pigs and chickens and I will… read more
28 Mar 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Rosa )
Lovely Rosa seems to have walked straight out of an EM Forster novel. From the moment I picked her up from the airport she had my heart: she is bright and curious and moves through life with a fearless optimism that quickly infects those around her. She sets herself to any task with energy and determination, and what she lacks in physical force… read more
(Excellent
)
28 Mar 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Léo & Juliette)
Juliette arrived alone in her campervan, fresh off the ferry and brandishing a large box of French cheese, and from that moment we were all sold. She is a superstar. What she doesn't know she will set about learning, and there is little that intimidates her when it comes to manual labour. She is a whizz with power tools and did a beautiful job… read more
(Excellent
)
28 Mar 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Annika)
Annika is a very special young woman. She is enthusiastic and capable, and sets to even the most boring jobs (painting stair spindles?!) with good humour and enthusiasm. Her kindness and innate warmth left an impression on all of us, and we were really sad to see her go. She is accepting of everyone and approaches life with an open heart and a… read more
(Excellent
)
13 Dec 2023
Left by Workawayer (Annika) for host
I stayed with Sarah and Bruce for three weeks in October and couldn't have asked for a better experience. I've come across many wonderful people/places during my travels, but every now and then I find a place that is truly special. This was certainly one of those places. They are such good people and have so many valuable perspectives and… read more
28 Mar 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Javier)
Javi is a beautiful human. He is kind, thoughtful, intuitive, enthusiastic, capable, curious, and always up for a challenge. He stayed with us for four months and we'd have been happy if he'd stayed even longer. He learns quickly, and was instrumental in the construction of the pig barn, which is at the heart of our workaway journey and has made a… read more
(Excellent
)
26 Feb 2024
Left by Workawayer (Javier) for host
I arrived to Oysterhaven with the idea of staying for one or two months and then continue my journey through Ireland… But at the end, I liked the place so much and I ended up staying for almost 4 months… And I really would liked to stay longer. I hope to return to this place soon… The beauty of Oysterheaven, the animals, and the people I have met… read more
15 Mar 2024
Left by Workawayer (Alexis) for host
Firstly, thank you so much for your kindness. Sarah & Bruce, you are amazing and lovely people.
If you want to go to county Cork, this place is for you. Come to take part in their beautiful project. They are restoring a beautiful big old house in front of the sea. The work is very diverse : clean the garden, paint, restoration, ..
For my part, my… read more
If you want to go to county Cork, this place is for you. Come to take part in their beautiful project. They are restoring a beautiful big old house in front of the sea. The work is very diverse : clean the garden, paint, restoration, ..
For my part, my… read more
7 Mar 2024
Left by Workawayer (Aël) for host
I stayed with Sarah and Bruce for almost 2 months and it honestly didn't feel like it. They're really lovely and welcoming, had very nice talks at dinnertime, they even set me on a journey to try and fix my culture of cinema 😅 They are amazing cooks, and really went out of their way to make sure you have everything you need and then some, despite… read more
2 Jan 2024
Left by Workawayer (Sarah) for host
Thank you for everything Sarah and Bruce! Your project and your place are wonderful.
Every evening you can enjoy the sunset on the beach, in the kayak or in the company of pigs, chickens, cats, dogs ... It's a little place of paradise that makes you smile. Sarah and Bruce are happy to take you to the bus stop or to the cute town of Kinsale.
You… read more
Every evening you can enjoy the sunset on the beach, in the kayak or in the company of pigs, chickens, cats, dogs ... It's a little place of paradise that makes you smile. Sarah and Bruce are happy to take you to the bus stop or to the cute town of Kinsale.
You… read more
30 Dec 2023
Left by Workawayer (Anna) for host
I had the most amazing time staying with Sarah and Bruce (and the cats, dogs, pigs, chickens and Albert!). This was my first workaway and I couldn't have asked for a better host. They always made sure we had everything we needed and we had the most interesting conversations over dinner. Sarah and Bruce are both amazing cooks!
Our main tasks were… read more
Our main tasks were… read more
12 Dec 2023
Left by Workawayer (Magdalena) for host
It felt like home from the first second and I knew I would return, which I did almost immediately. It's impossible not to fall in love with this place. The animals are all crazy and cuddly, you can look out over the fields to the sea from the pig pen and I've been missing not having a cat on my face at night since coming home. Sarah and her family… read more
12 Nov 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Will & Zia)
Will and Zia are sweethearts. They are gentle, creative, talented souls, with great senses of humour and an appreciation for everything that appears in their path. They are the kind of people you brush up against and then can't quite let go of, and as a family we each had a real soft spot for them. They are hard working and enthusiastic, and what… read more
(Excellent
)
5 Oct 2023
Left by Workawayer (Will & Zia) for host
From the moment that Will and I (with our best pal Rory) arrived, we knew immediately we were in for a wonderful few weeks. This was our first Workaway experience and it could not have been better. Sarah and her family made us feel like one of their own from day one.
The cottage was very spacious and comfortable, and we always had everything we… read more
The cottage was very spacious and comfortable, and we always had everything we… read more
12 Nov 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (KathrinBauer)
Kathrin is the best! When I picked her up from her previous hosts they said, 'you've got a good one here' - and they couldn't have been more right. She's like a German Mary Poppins: she appears, makes sense out of the chaos (spick and span!), quickly becomes a member of the family, and then, just when you feel you can't live without her, she's… read more
(Excellent
)
12 Sep 2023
Left by Workawayer (KathrinBauer) for host
What a wonderful time I had with Sarah, Bruce, their family and the animals! There is not a single aspect of my stay I would change or criticize (except maybe the waffel irons hahaha :-D ), and through their support, guidance and passion for everything self-made and I have learned so much more than "just" building a fence or taking one down. I… read more
12 Nov 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Dorian)
Dorian is great. He's full of energy and applies himself with enthusiasm to the tasks in hand, quickly learning new skills and happy to work independently. He was particularly stellar when two of the pigs escaped and, whack-a-mole style, he was mending fences literally as they broke them. Never has a screw gun been wielded so effectively! He also… read more
(Excellent
)
21 Oct 2023
Left by Workawayer (Aitor) for host
It has been a magnificent stay, a 100% recommendable place, the place to sleep was spacious and the rooms were very comfortable, Sarah gave us everything we needed and on the weekends she took us to a nearby town to visit the nearby towns Her treatment has always been very familiar and pleasant, as for work, every day was a new challenge, but it… read more
12 Sep 2023
Left by Workawayer (Derek) for host
My flight was delayed multiple times so by the time I arrived it was completely dark. Which simply meant I was awe struck when I awoke the next morning.
The rolling countryside, and picturesque fields are straight out of a fairy tale. The cottage and other buildings are beautiful and comfortable. When I scheduling my stay only the pictures of the… read more
The rolling countryside, and picturesque fields are straight out of a fairy tale. The cottage and other buildings are beautiful and comfortable. When I scheduling my stay only the pictures of the… read more
30 Aug 2023
Left by Workawayer (Saj) for host
I really enjoyed my time with Sarah and family (animals included). They were really lovely and welcoming and there was always loads to do both during and outside working hours. I found Sarah to be a caring individual who tried to ensure you were happy with what you were doing. I also really liked her can do attitude and approach to learning new… read more
28 Aug 2023
Left by Workawayer (Monja) for host
Staying with Sarah and her family was absolutely amazing. They are such friendly and welcoming hosts with great passion for their building project.
They are also excellent cooks, which made our common evenings even more enjoyable. The work was outdoors, hard but rewarding and always in good company with other lovely workawayers (or some of the… read more
They are also excellent cooks, which made our common evenings even more enjoyable. The work was outdoors, hard but rewarding and always in good company with other lovely workawayers (or some of the… read more
16 Aug 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Timo Sebastian)
Timo came to us at the last minute but immediately found his place and fitted right in. He bridged several Workawayers and got on with everyone, happy to work alongside or to lead, constantly motivating everyone. He did a brilliant job building our new chicken house, and is very nifty on the hand tools, showing skill and initiative. He is smart… read more
(Excellent
)
8 Aug 2023
Left by Workawayer (Timo Sebastian) for host
I spent 2 weeks at Sarah's place and it was more than you could dream of. Sarah and the whole family are such great hosts, willing to go out of their way to get you to experience some of their side of Ireland. The work was hands on and outdoors looking over the sailing school. What a view to be working with! The accommodation is so cosy and you… read more
30 Jul 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Gabriele & Giovanni)
Gabriel and Giovanni are a joy. Constantly smiling, they won everyone's hearts within about ten minutes, and left us all with a small 2G hole in our lives when they left. I gave them some fairly grim jobs (pulling a deconstructed polytunnel out of the brambles, de-nailing a rotten timber terrace) and they attacked everything with gusto and good… read more
(Excellent
)
30 Jul 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Carolin)
Carolin and Frederik arrived on bicycles on a warm, sunny evening, and were a breath of fresh air from the very first. They are kind, warm, interesting, enthusiastic, and able to turn their hand to any task. You just have to point them at a job, and Fred will have a plan, a team, and a wheelbarrow full of tools. In just a week they had pretty much… read more
(Excellent
)
