Come surfing, windsurfing, swimming and help beside the sea on a mini farm in Castlegregory, Co Kerry, Ireland

Ireland

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Feedback
14
Last activity
06/10/2021
Reply rate
82.4 %
Average reply time:
within 38 days
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2021

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What's this?

Details

Description
Help welcome beside the sea on a mini farm in Castlegregory, Co Kerry, Ireland.

We are a family of 4 with 2 children aged 9 and 11. We live beside the sea in one of the most beautiful places in Ireland. We have a mini farm with a dog, 2 Pigs, hens, 6 sheep and lambs and a big vegetable garden. We are an active family who do all the water sports available to us on our doorstep and we love the outdoor life. We live close by a water sports centre which is great fun in the summer. You can get everywhere very easily by bicycle if you want to go anywhere. If you like walking, running, photography, sea swimming or cycling this is the place to come to experience rural Ireland by the sea!! We need help in the garden, with the animals from.time to time and with odd chores around the house.

Unfortunately we do not have room for more than one person so we can not take any couples. Also please keep in mind that we live in a very remote area and the closest village to us is 7 kms away. We have many neighbours and lovely things to do on our doorstep but if you want to be near a town well this probably isnt the place for you! Thank you.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainablity goals this host is trying to achieve
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What's this?
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Anyone travelling to Kerry will learn a huge amount about the culture of rural Ireland. There is an opportunity to learn to surf and windsurf!
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We would like some help with the vegetable garden, children, animals, and general maintenance about the place. There will be some light housework and cooking too and lots of fun in between.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
Own double bed with en site bathroom.
What else ...
On your time off there is walking, surfing, windsurfing, SUPing, fishing, cycling, sea swimming, mountain climbing and beautiful scenery. If you are into photography the area we live in is very beautiful. Tralee and Dingle are 30 mins away and we can organise a lift there if you would like to go. Castlegregory is 7 kms away and easily reached by bicycle or we are back and forth a bit every day.
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 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Photos

Feedback left by and about host (14)

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)

05/09/2021

Left by Workawayer (Lucy) for host

This must be one of the most beautiful places in Ireland! I was speechless driving through the area on my first day. I stayed with Katherine, Ben, Caoimhe, and Jemma for almost two weeks in June 2021. They were so welcoming from the very beginning of my stay. Caoimhe and Jemma were so kind and friendly, and the most responsible and mature young… read more

(Excellent )

20/07/2021

Left by Workawayer (Julia) for host

The last 3 weeks I spent with this family have just been amazing. They made me feel comfortable and like at home from the first minute on. Especially Caoimhe and Jemma were super friendly and showed me around. The workload was never too heavy. Always 4 hours a day during the week and that's it so plenty of free time to explore the lovely… read more

(Excellent )

14/09/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Hedda)

Hedda is amazing and we as a family were very said to see her leave to continue with her travels. She is a great worker, fitted into our family lifestyle as though she was always there and was great to just get up and go! Hedda used her initiative and could see what needed to be done without asking and any jobs I did ask her to do she did with… read more

(Excellent )

30/04/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Anna)

Anna was a pleasure to have to stay and a great help with whatever she had to do. She was very engaging, polite and a hard worker. Whatever task you would ask Anna to do she did it 100% and if she did not understand what it was that had to be done she would ask! At times she would have to look after the children. Both of them really liked her and… read more

(Excellent )

29/04/2019

Left by Workawayer (Anna) for host

Dear Katherine, Ben, Caoimhe and Jemma,

it was lovely spending those 2 weeks in Irland with you!
You made me feel very welcome and I experienced a lot e.g. seeing a sheep lambing, going surfing, wind surfing, baking amazing banana bread with Caoimhe, going for lots of walks with Freddie, seeing amazing sunsets,... Also, you always invited me to… read more

(Excellent )

26/09/2018

Left by Workawayer (Charlotte) for host

I stayed for three weeks with this lovely family - in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
I had a nice time working in the vegetable garden, feeding the sheep, walking the dog, minding the kids and playing with them. :) The work was never too long, I had plenty of time to explore the beautiful surroundings by bike or walking. The family… read more

(Excellent )

10/06/2018

Left by Workawayer (Carmen) for host

I spent 3 weeks with this lovely family. The house, the place and surroundings are really amazing. It is a very calm place where you can find peaceful everywhere. The beaches and landscapes are brilliant. I learnt surfing which was exciting for me. Also beautiful riding the bike.
The family are great hosts. Katherine is nice and very energetic.… read more

(Excellent )

11/05/2018

Left by Workawayer (Andy) for host

Not only is Castlegregory an amazingly beautiful area, but the family is extremely hospitable and friendly. After spending a month in Dublin I was seeking more of a rural Irish experience and my stay here was everything that I hoped for and then some. During my stay I helped birth a lamb, I planted potatoes, learned how to surf and that you don't… read more need an excuse to have a cup of tea, and ultimately I was welcomed into this beautiful family and community.

For a very thorough and accurate breakdown, honestly, read Mica's review below. I don't think I could describe the family and the experience any better.

I will add a few things of my own though:

1) No day is the same - be it due to the activities on the to-do list, or from running inside to hide from the sporadic bouts of rain. I did a lot of work in the garden, but also did some child-minding, and help around the house. As long as you're open to different activities and don't mind getting your hands a bit dirty (it is a mini-farm) you'll have a great time! The family is very active, they love being outdoors and they are more than happy to bring you along with them wherever they go; be it for a walk around the point, fishing, surfing, or just spending a Sunday at the beach.

2) That thing about the rain.... if you're not familiar with Ireland be prepared for rain, and in this area the wind too. The first day I arrived it was raining sideways all day and while they won't make you work outside in that kind of weather there are some things that still need to be done when it rains so having waterproof or at least water-resistant clothing/boots is a must.

3) They live in a very unique location where you can watch the sun rise and set over the ocean, it's amazing. If you're not a photographer you're still going to want a camera. No sunset was the same and there are also beautiful mountains and wild horses, golden hour is incredible, as a photographer I couldn't take enough photos.

4) The only con was internet access, the wifi isn't that reliable and the service in the house is spotty. That being said it didn't affect my stay in the slightest bit. I had a data plan and was able to get enough service to access it when I wanted to (the service outside the house is great). However, if you're relying on wifi, it's a beautiful place to be disconnected most of the day anyway.

5) This was my first Workaway but from my experience, the best attitude to have here is to just be willing to help out wherever and whenever you can. They don't ask much of you and in return they truly treat you like part of their family and provide you with some delicious meals (if you're lucky you'll get to have Caoimhe's world-famous rhubarb crumble - mmmmm). I worked most days from 9am-1/2pm and occasionally would be asked to help with little things around the house in the "off-hours". Sometimes it would be making sure I was home for an hour or so while Ben and/or Katherine went for a cycle/swim to mind the girls (which is easy; they're smart, polite, quite goofy, and can easily entertain themselves) or it would be helping collect eggs from the hens, getting vegetables from the garden, or doing a quick hoover (vaccuum), it's not too much of a hassle at all.

I can't thank this family enough for a truly unique and pleasant experience that I will remember for the rest of my life! I hope the spuds I planted end up being delicious.

(Excellent )

11/05/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Andy)

Andy stayed with us for three weeks. He was a pleasure to have around the place and carried out every job I asked him to do in an efficient manner. He is a good listener and picks up new tasks easily! He was also very tidy around the house and good company. I would have no hesitation recommending Andy for any position as he can turn his hand to… read more

(Excellent )

27/06/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Justine & Sylvain)

Thanks Justine,

It was a pleasure meeting you and thank you for all your hard work.
You were great company and we all enjoyed meeting you. Best of luck with the rest of your travels.

(Excellent )

16/06/2017

Left by Workawayer (Justine & Sylvain) for host

If you want to go on the paradise athletic and very beautiful, and in a relax atmosphere, come on here at Ben and Katherine's house. This family is very cute, and very dynamic. My week was very varied and pleasant.
I want just to say thanks for this week very very nice !

(Excellent )

20/05/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Mica)

Mica the filmaker/director/ gardener/childminder and all round great guy. He was a hard working, enthusiastic and diligent person and great fun to have around the place. He was a huge help to Ben and I completing all the tasks we set him. He loved hanging out and helping with the children and they really enjoyed his company. We were sad he could… read more

(Excellent )

19/05/2017

Left by Workawayer (Mica) for host

Ben, Katherine, Caoimhe, and Jemma live on a uniquely sandy peninsula in County Kerry known as the Maharees. Their beautiful home is situated in an equally beautiful coastal landscape. My stay with them was integrated, varied, exciting, and genuine. It was really easy to engage with this wonderful family full of personality, energy and curiosity.… read more The workload was varied (feeding animals, building fences, tending the vegetable garden, and playing with the girls) and allowed me to become integrated with the community and the environment. This was an exceptional way to jump into real-life situation of a wonderful family living their busy lives.

Further Notes:

The above paragraph acts as an overview for prospective workawayers, but I wanted to include a few more details. I'm able to do this because the family involved me in so many ways.

1) Once again, the locale was memorizing. Sheep were grazing in the backyard surrounded by homemade stone walls crafted by a local man named Monty. The gate literally leads to the ocean. Cliffs and islands can be viewed in the distance. A wonderful vegetable garden provided the ingredients of our salads. The sunsets and the rapidly changing clouds and weather patterns meant no sunset was the same. Beautiful.

2) My accommodation was outstanding. I had my own room and bathroom and a big comfortable double bed. I slept like a log every night. The comfiest bed so far in my travels.

3) The community is tight knit and small. Everyone waves to everyone. If a biked around a corner, seeing a few locals chatting on the side of the road was a regular occurrence. In fact I cannot think of a time where the family didn't say hello to person passing by.

4) 8 year old Caoimhe (pronounced Quee-va) was this really thoughtful, inquisitive girl. She would ask many questions, she always wanted to learn more, and she had this wonderful unexpected sense of humour. She could do it all. Gaelic football, magic shows, and everything in between. My favourite memory with her was our mad sprint to the stone wall by the water with her atop my shoulders; I wanted to get a video of us dancing in front of the rainbow, and she was happy to join in the fun.

5) 5 year old Jemma was an enthusiastic delight. She really loved to experience things and was really brave. She would dive under electric fencing to feed the sheep more quickly, she would fend off larger animals so that the younger ones could eat, and she was willing to play with anybody.

6) Ben was a really cool genuine guy. He worked during the day, so our interactions were usually during the evening. We would usually work outside and get to know each other simultaneously. He was pretty relaxed; he would also whistle tunes from Willy Wonka and quote Matthew McCaughey without even realizing it. Mostly, I appreciate that he was generous, supportive, and seemed present in the moment. The type of person that really looks you in the eye.

7) Katherine was a superstar. She balanced her work life, her personal life, and her family like a pro. She was really fair in that she practiced what she preached. Her children were active kids involved in their community sports teams. Likewise, their parents were involved with local watersports and biking. Her active lifestyle modeled positive healthy living; simultaneously she was very present for her children, and I think they are receiving a great upbringing and learning positive values. Katherine also found the time to show me around; she took me on a biking and paddleboarding adventure, saying hello to everyone along the way. Like I said, a superstar.

When I look at a map of Ireland, I will now always peek over at this little peninsula on the Kerry coast. It's a special spot where Katherine, Ben, Jemma, Caoimhe, Freddie, Ruby, 7 lambs, some sheep, some new hens (to my old friends, RIP) RoRo and Strawberry live.

It is a lovely place where I got to experience the fun life that this lovely Irish family is living together. It was a pleasure and I thank you so much for your hospitality. I hope I was able to be helpful.

(Excellent )

21/07/2016

Left by Workawayer (Berta) for host

Nice family and nice place! There are lovely places to visit around and people here are really friendly. It was a great experience and I hope I could come back someday.

(Excellent )

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