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Description
****** Immediate availability from now to Mid April due to a late cancellation; Availability also from July onwards ******
N. Ireland has very low Covid 19 cases and are mostly confined to built up areas. We area medical family and my rural farm can be considered a very safe place to stay.
I live on a small farm at the foot of Slemish Mountain at the top of the Glens of Antrim. I run a publishing company from home and have no children; only 3 dogs and 3 horses. My main equestrian interest is eventing and I currently have a 5 year old horse recovering from injury, a lovely elderly all rounder and my 3 star event horse who has retired from competition.
The scenery around my house is beautiful, and the roads are quiet for walks or bike rides. The nearest village is 3 miles away.
I run a very sociable house and often have friends around for dinner and to stay. This Workaway experience is all about horses and dogs as well as seeing around N. Ireland: Belfast, Dublin and the Giant's Causeway. Many workaways have also been on sightseeing trips with family and friends too.Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
Animal Care
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I try to show all workaways, Belfast, Dublin and the Giant's Causeway. Many workaways have also been on sightseeing trips with family and friends too.
I work in tourism and travel in Ireland frequently. For a volunteer who wishes to have flexible hours, I can take them "sightseeing" on day trips around places and cities I visit.
For those who ride at a sufficient level, you can hack the horses around the quiet country roads. In the right weather conditions, we ride on the beach
During the summer you may have a chance to go sailing on a 12m yacht. It depends if the boat is in Ireland or being used by the family elsewhere,
My home is very popular with tired travellers and people with busy city lives due to its rural peaceful setting and relaxed atmosphere.
I love to cook. It is always fun sharing cooking and baking recipes/ skills with those who enjoy cooking too.
Please read the reviews of workaways who have stayed with me to get a better understanding of what staying with me is like.Help
Ideally I need help from someone who likes the outdoors, is practical and has experience with horses and likes animals.
It would be a bonus if the volunteer could ride well at a competition level. Being able to ride is not essential, however my horses are NOT suitable for giving riding lessons to beginners or inexperienced riders.
Most of the help involves caring for the dogs and horses when I ma at work. The dogs love going for walks, being cuddled and playing ball. The horses love being groomed and ridden around the roads and occasionally on the beach.
The volunteer must feel comfortable house siting and looking after the animals when I am away for work. Being on the premises 24/7 would not be necessary and they would be co-hosted and looked after by my family who live near by.
If you read my Workaway reviews you will read how my family, all seasoned travellers themselves, love to meet and co-host travelling volunteers. They invite them for dinner, take them sightseeing and sometimes sailing and my father loves to teach volunteers how to do everything from driving tractors to building stone walls and water divining!Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: FluentAccommodation
A large 5 bedroom house with a large garden in beautiful surroundings. The guest bedrooms are not ensuite but a bathroom will be available for your sole use if no one else is staying.
The kitchen has a range cooker with gas hobs. The house has a conservatory, sitting room, drawing room and dining hall which will be shared. A study upstairs will be available for the private use of the volunteer in addition to a bedroom.What else ...
Situated in the heart of the Glens of Antrim ( near the Giant's Causeway) this position offers an opportunity to be with horses in stunning scenery in a quiet rural location.
I work in tourism and travel in Ireland frequently. For a volunteer who wishes to have flexible hours, I can take them "sightseeing" on day trips around places and cities I visit. As I live 3 miles from the nearest village , I can provide a bicycle for local journeys. There is a daily bus service 100m from the house. You will be joining a friendly, sociable, well travelled family who enjoy meeting people and life!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
5 or less, 5 days a week (depends if riding is included) Most days 3-4. Very flexible
Feedback (32)
If you love animals, great people and you are open to new things, you will love it here!… read more
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(4.9)
Communication:
(4.9)
If you love animals, great people and you are open to new things, you will love it here!… read more
Hilary is a very friendly and caring host, but self-reliance around the house… read more
Her parents were also incredibly friendly and welcoming, and they very kindly took me for… read more
The work is very easy, basically just looking after the horses and dogs. For me, it is not even work but a pleasure. I appreciate the experience of getting along with horses as I had never got close to a horse before. I had my first riding experience… read more
She is really generous and interesting. She introduced me so many people, as her lovely parents.
She helped me to improve my English skills, thank you so much for that. Her French is great too, she welcomed my parents who speak mostly in french !
I have worked with dogs and horses everyday. They are… read more
I really enjoyed my time here with the dogs and the horses at this beautiful place. I had the opportunity to ride almost every day. You get the chance to ride three lovely and well schooled horses to explore the area around the Slemish mountain.
Hillary is an incredible host and very… read more
Alexis is an absolute pleasure to have a round. He is a true gentleman. He rides very well and was able to ride my newly backed 4 year old sport horse filly. He… read more
Hilary is an extremely generous and fun host, and makes you feel very welcome not only in her gorgeous home but in the community, as we often shared meals with her lovely and hospitable friends and family.
Everyone is an excellent cook, and there is a… read more
All of the animals are lovely. The dogs are… read more
Hilary is very used to have workawayers around, so she made me feel at home quickly. She is very generous and human, a good company in any way. I didn't have the feeling of being there just to work, but to share her way of life and help her as a part of the… read more
I had the chance to explore northern Ireland in a much better way than it would have been when I'm traveling around myself.. I… read more
I had an excellent time at Ballypatrick and have made a great friend who I also now have a work relationship with. Hilary is very generous with her time; I was able to visit Belfast and Dublin more than once, and the Giant's Causeway. I was included in social activities where… read more
Hilary helps you in all what she can. For example, I travelled by bike for three days to the north and she helped me to find the places to stay and to rent the bike. And… read more
She is such an accommodating host and bent over backwards to make me feel not just comfortable and welcome but a part of the family. During my stay I was introduced to so many lovely people including Hilary's very hospitable parents who made… read more
During my 4 weeks I got the chance to get to know her and her amazing horsies and doggies, her friends and family. I felt VERY welcome, integrated and I was also shown around a lot. Hilary brought me for a tour at Bushmills (sry to say they didn't teach me to become a whiskey drinker… read more
For the record, Jake is brilliant with animals, is an efficient gardener, a great cook, superb with a paint brush and good at doing secretarial jobs. Jake is… read more
Wishing you both a wonderful time on your travels and please come back to see me anytime. Everyone misses you!
The only downside was that she was with me for only two weeks. Please come back anytime Courtney. Good luck with your studies!