Stay in a peaceful, rural area surrounded by lakes and learn about organic food growing in Co Clare, Ireland

Details

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  Description

  Having grown up in East Clare in a farming family, I then travelled a lot for many years and have recently returned home and am enjoying finally putting my roots down. I like the simple life, living close to the land. I work part time in a local organic orchard and am otherwise working on my home and garden. I moved to my little cottage in December 2023 so its a newish project with a vision towards a more self sufficient lifestyle. My great grandparents bought this house and its where my grandmother grew up so it has a nice family connection for me. The house has always been lived in so is very comfortable but as it is 200 years old it has needed a little work to keep it good. It has some unfinished aspects so don't expect perfection but it's very cosy and welcoming and people love its character.
  
  I love to grow my own food and feel that good food is medicine. For now I have quite a large garden with a polytunnel at my parents farm close by as I'm still working on clearing the land at the cottage.
  
  The cottage is located in a peaceful, rural area in East Clare. I have started planting native trees to create a woodland and fruit and nut trees for a forest garden. I'm slowly working on other aspects of the house and land. I have a cat (Booshkins) and a dog (Bodhi) and we are surrounded by farmland so there are cattle and horses close by at times.
  
  I enjoy foraging and drying herbs for teas, tinctures and ointments. I'm so grateful to be surrounded by hedgerows that are abundant with wild medicine. I love to relax with the local wood fired sauna and dips in the lake. I play a little bit of guitar and enjoy singing in circle with others. I love to dance and there is a weekly community ecstatic dance which I often go to.
  
  I have travelled a lot myself in the past and now that I'm enjoying putting roots down its nice to meet interesting people from other places and show them my area.
  
  We are close to Lough Derg as well as many other lakes in the area. There is a great community around and there are often nice social community events happening.
  
  I tend to be busy, there is always lots to do but I try to have a balance with social and down time too.
  I prefer to use eco products in the house and garden.
  I enjoy being social but also like my own space.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  Interests

  

  Van life

  

  Sustainability

  

  Self development

  

  Pets

  

  Culture

  

  Farming

  

  Events & social

  

  Beach

  

  Adventure sports

  

  Plant care

  

  Music

  

  Gardening

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Books

  

  Animals

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Mountain

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Nature

  

  Hiking

  

  Camping

  

  Dancing
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  East Clare has a lovely mix of traditional farming community and an alternative sub culture. Having grown up in the area in a farming family and also having travelled and having alternative interests I have a foot in both camps and am happy to show people some of the great things that the area has to offer.
  
  Some activities that I enjoy in the area and am happy to bring people along to are:
  Community pot luck and music social (usually once a month)
  Community market (monthly)
  Traditional music at the local pub (weekly)
  Community dance -ecstatic dance style (weekly)
  Wood fired sauna by the lake
  Traditional roast dinner on the family farm
  Visit to Irish Seed Savers Association where I work.
  
  I am happy to share what I know about the things which I am passionate about including organic food growing, gathering and processing wild herbs, making tinctures, creams and ointments, working with apple trees - grafting, pruning.
  
  When I was travelling and volunteering on projects myself, I used to think that when I settle down that I'd like to host others and still enjoy that global community feeling of meeting and sharing time, stories, ideas, interests, dreams and visions with people from other places. So here I am, starting my project and looking forward to meeting that transient community of friends.

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  Help

  We wound generally do tasks together but sometimes I may be at work so would leave tasks to do.
  
  Help in the garden is always welcome and is probably the main area where help is needed. I have studied organic horticulture and permaculture so I'm happy to share what I know with anyone interested. Tasks vary depending on time of year from weeding, digging, sowing, moving dung, planting, harvesting etc. I have a chemical free garden using organic and permaculture principles.
  
  Clearing the land: unfortunately a previous tenant left a lot of rubbish in the ground. Much of the bigger stuff has been removed and I am
  continuing to pick up smaller bits. I want to clean the soil as much as possible before planting an orchard and wild flower meadow in this area.
  
  I've recently had insulation put into the roof of the cottage so some painting on the ceiling is needed.
  
  Gathering and processing firewood,
  
  Sorting, tidying, clearing in the garden shed.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Beginner
  French: Beginner
  Irish: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  My French and Spanish are basic but I'm happy to practice when i can.
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  Accommodation

  You would have your own room with comfy double mattress. We would generally eat together and help is appreciated with either food prep or dishes.

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  What else ...

  There is a nice community cafe in Scarriff with a lovely garden. The town has most needs covered but there are local bus connections to Limerick and Ennis if needed or to get connecting transport for day trips.
  
  Activities such as kayaking and stand up paddle boarding are available on Lough Derg. There are also daily boat trips to holy island.
  There are a few mobile sauna's around the lake which is a lovely way to unwind and revive.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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