Help us in the garden and with some DIY projects on a 200 year-old lake-side rectory in Co. Cavan, Ireland

Availability

  2025 

 Min stay requested: at least a week

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    Hi we are David and Sabina, our kids have grown and flown the nest and we decided it is time for a new adventure. So two years ago we sold our slick, modern house in the city and bought a 200 year-old lake-side rectory on 8 acres. Various fabulous Workaways have helped us to save the gorgeous gardens from brambles, overgrowth and neglect.

    We're not afraid of hard work and we are currently trying to give various projects the attention they need whilst meeting the demands of full-time jobs. David recently left the security that being an employee brings and has embarked on a new enterprise that involves travelling both nationally and internationally. Sabina used to travel a lot but now is working remotely most of the time with occasional travel. Sabina is a health psychologist, neuroscientist, author and motivational speaker. We share our beautiful home with our three dogs Dizzy, Dolly and Scruffy. It is vital that you love dogs. When Dave & I have to travel we will need you to walk, feed and give them with love and cuddles.

    We are loving our new home and each morning we marvel at the amazing views and wondering whether we are going to wake from this amazing dream but no - we are actually living the dream

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Art Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Our home is more than 200 years old, steeped in history and synonymous with the history of the area and indeed Ireland during some troubled times.

    The gardens which extend over 8 acres are a combination of formal gardens, woodland and wilded areas. There is an incredible array of trees, shrubs and plants. Trees range from stunning traditional trees such as oak, horse chestnut, sycamore and copper beech planted when the house was first built in 1819 to an incredible mix of rare and unusual trees, many from Asia strategically planted by a previous owner. Renowned garden designer Daphne Shackleton designed the formal areas of the gardens approximately 20 years ago. Around that time the former owner also reinstated pathways throughout the grounds including a 400 metre walk along the lake from which the house takes its name.
    The Azaleas are a sight to behold throughout May. The gardens are a prime example of biodiversity attracting butterflies and bees in abundance. There is incredible biodiversity and wildlife, with foxes, hedgehogs, badgers, minks and otters living on the land. The house is a bird lovers paradise - We have the largest rookery in the county with a mix of corvids and a substantial heronry with 30 to 40 herons living and breeding here from January to September.

    Then there is the lake itself which is wonderful for lovers of water sports. We provide kayaks but the lake is used for skiing, wakeboarding, boating etc. The lake is 3.5 kilometres long and you will never tire of it. The lake is renowned for coarse fishing.

    We are walking distance (2k) from the town of Shercock which is a vibrant, friendly small town (more like a village), with several pubs, shops, hairdresser, hardware, garage and a cafe. There is a regular bus service from Shercock to Dublin which takes just over an hour that serves commuters (to Dublin early morning / to Shercock early evening)
    There is also a bus that links Shercock to Dundalk which stops in Carrickmacross where there is a bus to Dublin airport.

    We are located equidistant (12k) from three large towns with large supermarkets like Aldi, Lidl, Tesco Super Value etc. restaurants, pubs and other nightlife.

    Cavan is replete with national parks including the Cavan Burren with its unique flora and fauna. Co Cavan is Ireland's lake district with a lake for every day of the year - 365 lakes - Co Cavan is located in Ulster and is very close to the border with northern Ireland giving visitors the opportunity to explore that culture also.

  • Help

    Help

    We currently need help with:
    Garden
    Wood chipping (We have a wood-chipper)
    Removing ivy from old trees and old walls
    Weeding
    Leaf Blowing
    Clearing fallen trees/branches
    Maintaining paths

    Housework
    If you live with us in our home we expect you to do your fair share of house work - we may also ask you to do some additional housework which will count towards your 25 hours

    Projects
    The main projects we wish to tackle next are:
    To build a floating jetty
    To build a deck
    To make fencing from hazel in the garden
    To make garden furniture - e.g. picnic table / benches from fallen trees

    Artists - to paint murals

    General maintenance around the house and grounds.

    We may occasionally need someone to dog sit should we both have to be away at the same time

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Workawayers will stay in a bedroom with own en suite shower room in our home

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    Cavan is a county with a lake for every day of the year, or so the saying goes.

    Explore the ancient sites of the Breffni County. Turn back time on a trip to Cavan Burren Park, where you’ll find unique megalithic tombs and later, stop off at Cavan County Museum to learn about days gone by.

    Travel to picturesque parks and take on vast walking trails, check out Cavan’s hidden treasures now.

    The locals are incredibly friendly and welcoming with plenty of pubs in every town.

    Gaelic sports are a big thing in Cavan you can go watch the local teams play or join a local team depending on the duration of your stay.

  • 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

    Yes. We have fibre broadband which is a type of high-speed broadband. It uses fibre optic cables, which are better at transferring data than standard copper cables. It's the fastest and most reliable broadband in Ireland. Suitable for working from home but also suitable for online gaming and streaming movies and music.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    We really welcome people with their own camper van - for us this is the ideal situation as we can all have our own private space and our workaways can benefit from exploring Ireland using us as a base, We have plenty of space to accommodate a camper van.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    Two

Host ref number: 553364927397

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Photos

The image shows a man and woman in life jackets on a lake, with the woman wearing a hat and the man facing away from the camera.
The image depicts a large house with a sprawling yard, featuring a well-manicured lawn and a substantial driveway, surrounded by trees and bushes, evoking a sense of serenity and tranquility.
The image depicts a serene lake scene at sunset, with a vibrant sky and calm water, evoking a sense of peacefulness and tranquility.
The image depicts a serene scene of a boat gliding across a tranquil lake, surrounded by trees and a pink sky, evoking a sense of peacefulness and calm.
The image depicts two small dogs with long fur, standing in tall grass, with a wooden fence visible in the background, surrounded by lush greenery.
The image depicts a serene scene of a small, fluffy dog sitting in a hammock, surrounded by lush greenery and trees, exuding a sense of tranquility.
The image presents two Polaroid-style photos of a bathroom and bedroom, set against a grey background with torn paper fragments, showcasing a cozy and inviting interior design.
The image depicts a serene garden with a pond, featuring lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and a tranquil atmosphere, evoking a sense of peacefulness and natural beauty.
The image depicts a serene outdoor scene featuring a lush green lawn, a winding path, and a majestic tree, evoking a sense of tranquility and natural beauty.
The image depicts a serene garden scene with a wooden walkway, lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and trees, evoking a sense of peace and tranquility.
The image depicts a serene landscape featuring a tree with vibrant green leaves, surrounded by a lush grassy area, and a clear blue sky, evoking a sense of tranquility and natural beauty.
The image depicts a serene outdoor scene featuring a lush green lawn with trees and bushes, complemented by a vibrant array of flowers and plants, evoking a sense of natural beauty and tranquility.
The image depicts a serene outdoor space with a diverse array of trees and bushes, featuring a prominent tree trunk and a well-manicured lawn, evoking a sense of tranquility and natural beauty.
The image depicts a serene outdoor setting with a large body of water, featuring a grassy area, trees, and a wooden fence, evoking a sense of tranquility and natural beauty.

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