Introducing a biodiversity haven in Birr, Ireland

  • Favourited 73 times
  • Last activity: 26 Apr 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least a week

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    Hi, Ours is a small wooded farm in central Ireland. We are close to the Slieve Bloom mountains, the Shannon, the cutaway bogs, L. Boora regeneration park and the beautiful rural landscape of Offaly. We manage the land for biodiversity, keep a few animals and occasionally host groups who want to experience social and therapeutic horticulture and nature. This is not for profit. Any extra we grow is gifted to visitors and friends or used for feeding visitors. We are keen to do a monthly log of bees, butterflies and birds here to share on the national data base. Every year we notice a few new species and we want to document, maybe you can help and learn too.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    General Maintenance
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    We can offer independent accommodation in a traditional Irish farm house, ceilings are low! You can live independently. We can offer support learning English, and we speak Italian and German. Music is important here. We are in central Ireland, 8 miles from Birr town and close to the Slieve Bloom mountains, the Shannon and the cutaway bogs. Weekends, unless you are house sitting I am happy to drop you to bus or rail services for exploration and travel. 2 days a week I work from home as a therapist and also gardening and noticing nature. I can show you how therapeutic horticulture can work and how working with nature can look. As I work during week, if you would like to work with me and learn this may be on Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays, so you may like to plan your time off to match this.

  • Help

    Help

    Hi, We welcome help with minding animals, grass cutting, watering and weeding. We would appreciate occasional animal sitting over weekends or if on a summer break. We have 2 bedrooms available. During winter months we would ask for general maintenance help. You will want to keep the fire burning and then you will be cosy.
    We suggest an initial short stay and this can be reviewed by all to see if a longer stay would suit.
    Please note before we invite you we need to see if you have skills that match our needs. We will arrange to meet you online and then we will take some time to reflect and plan, so please don't book tickets until we have made a firm agreement. We want you to find yourself in the right place and we want to enjoy your visit too, so this preplanning is essential.

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    Italian: Fluent
    German: Intermediate
    Spanish: Beginner

    This host offers a language exchange
    we are a multilingual family and are always keen to learn new things

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    old Irish farmhouse, 2 bedrooms upstairs, wood stove and independent kitchen. We have eggs, some vegetables in season and local shops can meet most dietary needs if you have special food requirements.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    We would support time off, independent travel and exploration, lifts to train or bus on weekends. There is wifi in local library and most cafes and a landline for receiving calls. Being central we are 90 minutes from Dublin or Galway by public transport, and 10 mins by car from nearest town with lots of shops, cafes and bars. Cinema is 20 mins away by car. This is a paradise for people who want peace and who love nature. You will enjoy the most if you have your own transport.
    The fabulous L. Boora Parklands Discovery park is 10 mins away by car, the Slieve Blooms are 15, and the Shannon and her luscious callows are 15 mins away. This area is really good for birdwatchers and for walkers, hikers.

  • 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

    no.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    lots of parking

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    Two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 2-3 days a week, occasional weekends minding animals and watering, by prior agreement

Host ref number: 753979812781

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