Join a young family in rural Sligo on west coast of Ireland
Last activity
: 1 Jul 2025
Profile information
Usually responds within 5 days
Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks
Workawayers needed
Possibility that workawayers are needed
No availability
Details
Host ref number: 692281611979
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Feedback (11)
Left by host for Workawayer (Eric)
Eric was an excellent workawayer. He fitted into our family with ease. He was willing to help out in anyway desired. I have a fabulous permanent reminder in my garden of his handy work. He was a great help to John too. We would highly recommend Eric for your next project.
Left by Workawayer (Eric) for host
I had a wonderful stay with Rachel and John on their farm! The family was very welcoming and furthermore very active. From the first day I felt at home. The accommodation was cozy, I had my own very quiet bedroom, and access to all equipment of th house. The food was delicious; Rachel is a real chef at cooking. The work was varied every day with a
… read more few repetitive tasks, but nothing hard. It was pleasant to work with John because he trusted me. And he likes jokes.
Thanks to them I could visited Sligo and even Galway! Rachel drove me there in two hours!
Thank you for taking care of me and for this amazing experience.
Helper you can go there without any hesitation.
Left by host for Workawayer (Elisa)
We hosted Elisa for the month of September and we were very happy with how she settlted into the rhythm of life here (it can be very frantic) She helped out wherever required with the house hold chores and helped the children with their homework and played games and football whenever they asked. I would recommend Elisa as a workaway to anyone in
… read more the furture. She embraced country life and even joined me sea swimming in the cold atlantic ocean a couple of times.
Left by Workawayer (Elisa) for host
I was hosted by the Dooney family for almost a month.
From the very beginning they were very hospitable, Rachel made me feel at ease from the first moment and helped me a lot to improve with my English and told me very interesting stories about Ireland and its language.
The housework has always been very easy and helping the kids with their
… read more homework was so funny and enjoyable.
I had the great chance to go back to playing football with Tessa (very good footballer) and the tree house is just fantastic as also the trampolin. I had a great time with Sarah, Cormac, Erika and Tessa, they are very smart and good children. Rachel is also a great cook. I was lucky enough to join the local walking group several times. It was one of the best experiences ever, Ireland is a wonderful land, I will miss it a lot, I saw incredible places. The Dooney family home is also beautiful, surrounded by nature.
I would like to say thanks to Rachel and John for their hospitality. It was a great first experience as a workawayer.You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Nelli Elisabeth )
From the moment Nelli came into our house she brought the most amazing smile and a beautiful energy. She adapted to our family situation seamlessly and was always ready to help out wherever necessary. It was an absolute pleasure to have her as part of our family for the month and we would have gladly hosted her for longer. I wouldn't hesitate in
… read more recommending her as a workaway in the future. You won't regret having this wonderful young woman in your home.
Left by Workawayer (Nelli Elisabeth ) for host
I couldn’t have asked for a better host family! I felt welcomed, appreciated and included in your family life from the first moment. I got to learn so much about the rich Irish culture and I am so thankful for all the beautiful areas you showed me. Everyone is very generous and absolutely warm-hearted. Thank you for making my stay so incredible
… read more and unforgettable.
Do not hesitate! This is the perfect host family :)
P.S I really miss Rachel’s 5 star meals. Just delicious!!!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Photos
In order to have rainbows you have to have rain
We get lots of great rainbows at the house, sometimes double ones
Just out from a swim at our local beach. Great view of Knocknarae behind me
"Catching" the sun setting from the top of one of our fields in April
Sheep drinking from the pond below the house
View from the farmhouse. Knocknarea mountain. Cairn on the summit reputed to be the burial site of ancient warrior queen maeve
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Left by host for Workawayer (Eric)
Eric was an excellent workawayer. He fitted into our family with ease. He was willing to help out in anyway desired. I have a fabulous permanent reminder in my garden of his handy work. He was a great help to John too. We would highly recommend Eric for your next project.
Left by Workawayer (Eric) for host
I had a wonderful stay with Rachel and John on their farm! The family was very welcoming and furthermore very active. From the first day I felt at home. The accommodation was cozy, I had my own very quiet bedroom, and access to all equipment of th house. The food was delicious; Rachel is a real chef at cooking. The work was varied every day with a
… read more few repetitive tasks, but nothing hard. It was pleasant to work with John because he trusted me. And he likes jokes.
Thanks to them I could visited Sligo and even Galway! Rachel drove me there in two hours!
Thank you for taking care of me and for this amazing experience.
Helper you can go there without any hesitation.
Left by host for Workawayer (Elisa)
We hosted Elisa for the month of September and we were very happy with how she settlted into the rhythm of life here (it can be very frantic) She helped out wherever required with the house hold chores and helped the children with their homework and played games and football whenever they asked. I would recommend Elisa as a workaway to anyone in
… read more the furture. She embraced country life and even joined me sea swimming in the cold atlantic ocean a couple of times.
Left by Workawayer (Elisa) for host
I was hosted by the Dooney family for almost a month.
From the very beginning they were very hospitable, Rachel made me feel at ease from the first moment and helped me a lot to improve with my English and told me very interesting stories about Ireland and its language.
The housework has always been very easy and helping the kids with their
… read more homework was so funny and enjoyable.
I had the great chance to go back to playing football with Tessa (very good footballer) and the tree house is just fantastic as also the trampolin. I had a great time with Sarah, Cormac, Erika and Tessa, they are very smart and good children. Rachel is also a great cook. I was lucky enough to join the local walking group several times. It was one of the best experiences ever, Ireland is a wonderful land, I will miss it a lot, I saw incredible places. The Dooney family home is also beautiful, surrounded by nature.
I would like to say thanks to Rachel and John for their hospitality. It was a great first experience as a workawayer.You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Nelli Elisabeth )
From the moment Nelli came into our house she brought the most amazing smile and a beautiful energy. She adapted to our family situation seamlessly and was always ready to help out wherever necessary. It was an absolute pleasure to have her as part of our family for the month and we would have gladly hosted her for longer. I wouldn't hesitate in
… read more recommending her as a workaway in the future. You won't regret having this wonderful young woman in your home.
Left by Workawayer (Nelli Elisabeth ) for host
I couldn’t have asked for a better host family! I felt welcomed, appreciated and included in your family life from the first moment. I got to learn so much about the rich Irish culture and I am so thankful for all the beautiful areas you showed me. Everyone is very generous and absolutely warm-hearted. Thank you for making my stay so incredible
… read more and unforgettable.
Do not hesitate! This is the perfect host family :)
P.S I really miss Rachel’s 5 star meals. Just delicious!!!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (Marine) for host
I just realized that I didn’t give you any feedback after this wonderful time with you ! shame on me!
Many apologies for my delay ! I will never forget your home, the many games with children and live to the rhythm of the farm. I think we found all the hiding places for the hide-and-seek. Thank you for all these lively discussions, good recipe
… read more ideas, for pushing me to walk with hiking groups, get up early to see the sunrise, and for making me discover your country.
I have learnt a lot about the care of cows and lambs, this will perhaps serve me one day ! It was my first experience in Ireland and I will remember it for a long time. I would remember gaelic's match, going out with the kids to see fairies et swimming in the see when it's raining.
If you like the contryside, animals and hiking, this is a good place. Rachel is very listening, gives good advice and will make you progress in English.
I really love my time with your family :)You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (Anaïs) for host
I am so glad I met the Dooney's family, I stayed with them for 5 weeks. They are so welcoming and kind. I spent a lot of time with the 4 children, at home, at the sea, in the fields, on the trampoline. They are full of energy and very endearing. Rachel is a really good cook and I learned a lot of recipes.
The landscape around the house is
… read more beautiful, to go for a walk and see the sunsets on top of the fields. Ireland is a country with a great diversity of landscapes and a rich culture.
It was a great experience for me. Living on the farm was a great way to get close to nature. I can't recommend this family enough for a workaway experience.
Thanks you :)You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (Patrizio) for host
I was rescued by this lovely family, I will always be thankful for their kindness, I wish I could meet the workawayer that was coming after me but I had to go, I've never met another workawayer.
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (Mewen) for host
I stayed with the Family for six weeks. I really loved my time at there beautiful place. And I definitely won't forget it.
It was a pleasure to help John with the farm. He taught me a lot. And I had lots of new experiences. Like helping the sheep to lamb and feeding the lambs or moving the cows.
I also enjoyed being in the garden with Rachel and
… read more having deep discussions while we were gardening.
And what about the lovely children... They all have a different personality and that's maybe what make them as close as they are. All the great time I had with you will stay in my mind.
And if you are surf addict as I am, it will be the best place you could find... I had crazy sessions in Easky in the morning before starting working and in the evening after work. It's also a really good place to go running in the mountain behind the house or go hiking with the walking groupe. It's definitely a good place to enjoy the nature.You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Mewen)
Mewen is a wonderful workawayer. We had the pleasure of hosting him in spring during our busiest time on the farm and he helped out in every way he could from the very moment he arrived. Anything that was asked of him he did and did it well. If he had a free minute he always checked to see if any help was needed in any way before he took his free
… read more time. I will be eternally grateful to him for building me two new raised beds to grow more vegetables in order to become a bit more self sufficient. He intereacted very well with our boisterous children and was such a positive role model for them. If he saw something that needed doing he just got on with it and did it, such as opening the dishwasher only to find it needed to be emptied, he would do so even though he was in the process of making his breakfast.
He taught our eldest daughter to play a particlar tune on the guitar and spent many evenings bouncing with the 4 of them on the trampoline and playing. We really enjoyed hosting him our house was filled with laughter and fun while he was with us and that is an wonderful thing to be able to do as a stranger entering a home. We had many engaging converstions about anything and everything. I would highly recommend him as a workawayer in the future.
Left by host for Workawayer (Lucy)
We had the pleasure of hosting Lucy for about 4 and a half months when she joined our family as an au pair in autumn 2021. From the moment she arrived we knew she was going to fit right in. She was a wonderful addition to our family and our children formed such a great bond with her, she became like a big sister to them. She was great at helping
… read more them with their homework and engaging them in play especially outdoors, they would spend hours together playing on the trampoline. We were comfortable leaving the children with her knowing that they would be happy with her, we even got to go away for two nights to a hotel while she was with us. She helped out with all aspects around the house too and really helped take a lot of pressure off me.
Lucy has the most wonderful laugh and has a great sense of humour, the atmosphere in the house was greatly enhanced by her. I know that we have found a lifelong friend in Lucy.
If you are looking for a great workawayer then look no further you have found one of the best.
Left by Workawayer (Lucy) for host
If you ever think about joining this family, do it. I stayed with Rachel&John and the lovely kids for 4 months and I had an amazing time. It was my first workaway experience and I loved it.
I arrived thirsty at the bus stop where Rachel picked me up and she brought along a bottle of water for me. I love to think back to this moment because I felt
… read more so comfortable and welcomed from the moment I arrived.
Rachel is a good host mother and she is experienced with hosting people. She is a great cook and you will definitely come back with new recipes. Furthermore, I got to meet several new people as Rachel introduced them to me. It was great! If you desire, you could join a hiking group (ask Rachel) and explore the stunning landscapes. I did this three times and I can definitely recommend it. You will learn about the Irish culture, about unknown paths and fairies. Because of Rachel I met a lovely girl who was au pairing in Sligo as well and we have become great friends. Thanks a million Rachel!
John is a great farmer and knows a lot about his work. He had to cope with a lot of my questions because I was really interested in farming. Also some funny questions like “How fast can a sheep run?”. He has a great sense of humor and you will definitely laugh with him. John allowed me to use the quad and drive through the fields. It was great fun. He also let me try to drive the new JCB, which I loved!
The little monkeys (how Rachel calls them) are lovely. They felt like my own siblings and I really miss them.
Cormac gives the best cuddles and his smile will heal you. He is a little farmer and once he has his “Bruder booklet” he will never stop talking about what he wants. You need to have patience. :)
Sarah is the most creative little girl you will ever met. She loves drawing and is really good at it. You’ll have to help her with homework, which took time but was rewarding as I could teach her how to write correctly.
Erika is a responsible girl. She loves to help you. We had a great time dancing in the kitchen to loud music. It was so funny. She also taught me some Irish dancing.
Tessa is a lovely girl as well. She has a lot of energy and is really sporty. We had a great time on the trampoline and we loved play “fighting” (more climbing on top of me and trying not to fall off). She is really good at it.
All in all staying with this lovely family is something I can definitely recommend.
Thank you Rachel and John.You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Ulysse)
We had the pleasure of hosting Ulysse for nearly 5 weeks this summer. He adapted well to our family life and got on very well with our lively children. He was a great help with all the tasks that we needed help with. He also enjoys cooking and we enjoyed some delicious meals and desserts that he made for us.
We would recommend Ulysse to anyone
… read more who is looking for help and would be happy to host him again.
Left by Workawayer (Ulysse) for host
I was lucky to meet Rachel and John, it was a great experience.
I stayed 5 weeks with them, and I was able to learn a lot of things on the farm with John and the Irish culture. If you like to cook, Rachel can teach you several recipes. they allowed me to do several activities on weekends. The children are very dynamic but super nice.
They are
… read more really caring people.
The house is in a fabulous landscape
I can therefore recommend this family to youYou can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (Louise-Anne) for host
I had in the Dooney's family a perfect experience. During 3 months I worked with them in the farm and in the house, mainly with the 4 cute little monsters. Rachel is an exellent cooker who want learn all the time more and John is a passionate farmer who take is time for teach you. I really recomend this family, they are used to have helper with
… read more them. They will welcome you with open arms.
Thank you again for this time in your family😊❤You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Louise-Anne)
Louise Anne was a pleasure to host, she slipped into our daily rhythm seamlessly and was a wonderful support to us everyday. She carried out her tasks to a high level and she works very well on her own initiative. She formed a wonderful relationship with our children and has a natural way with them. She is also a wonderful cook and created many
… read more tasty and delicious french pastries. She was easy company to be around and we thoroughly enjoyed having her stay with us.
We would highly recommend Louise Anne for any job that she goes for and we would happily have her come again.
Left by host for Workawayer (Jitka)
It was a pleasure to host Jitka as a workawayer last year. She was hardworking and took on any task that was presented to her. She slotted into our family with ease. I would have no hesitation to recommend her for a workaway job.
Left by Workawayer (Jitka) for host
I had a lovely experience on Rachel and John's farm. If you like being outside and don't mind getting dirty, the work is perfect for you! John and Rachel are the nicest hosts and really do their best to make you feel at home. And it's easy to feel at home with all the kids around ;). In the mornings I had to feed the cows and sheep (with the quad,
… read more that was so cool) and then it just depended on the day what else there was to do. Every day was different! I learned a lot about the sheep and lambing. The view from the farm is absolutely stunning. The farm is not the easiest place to reach, but there are some nice walks you can do from the farm and the people in the area are the kindest, so it's easy to get a ride somewhere too! Rachel and John are very helpfull and will answer all your questions. I really feel I got to know the area. I can definitely recommand it!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
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Gardening
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Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Movies & TV
Farming
Performing arts
Gardening
Cooking & food
Nature
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Beach
