Ireland
Favourited 77 times
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20/01/2021
114
Reply rate
73.7 %
Average reply time:
within 9 days
Host offers payment
My name is Robert and I have a farm of 300 sheep - Lleyn and the Mayo Mountain Horny sheep, working with two fully-trained collie dogs - 3 km outside the village of Ballycastle, County Mayo. The cliffs of the beautiful Downpatrick Head can be seen from the farm and are a short 10-minute walk. It's a quiet and peaceful place. We have a polytunnel where vegetables are grown that needs a full revamp and some 30 chickens that provide eggs with the intention of buying more this spring. Water comes from a spring well on the farm. I grew up on the next farm over but lived in London and Dublin as a young man, returning to this area to farm nearly two decades ago. My mother also lives nearby and keeps 6 cows.There is alot of walks along the shores and cliffs of Mayo close by.Would prefer workawayers to be over 20 please and a general good english and willing to help with english so it just leaves working together a bit easier.There are lots of different jobs and general duties to be done on the farm and also tractor driving and quads and Gator driving. Where longer stay arrive ,they can grow there own produce in tunnel. We intend to do grow more vegetables out doors this season.Willing to pay wages to suitable workawayers TKS
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Workawayers will learn about how a traditional Irish sheep farm functions during the most exciting time of the year. When possible, there will be opportunities to go to the local pub in Ballycastle in the evening and at night what ever suits .There are loads of walks and trails and hiking in this area and in Mayo and bicycles are provided if one wishes.This is a very beautiful part of Ireland and part of the Wild Atlantic Way. Our local village is 3 miles away and has 3 bars and 2 shops and a Cafe.There are 2 daily buses from our local town to Ballina town which is much bigger and has lots of Cafes and restaurtants and there are Bus And Rails connections to all parts of Ireland. This part of Mayo is just t be ENJOYED
This host offers accommodation and payment.
Host has indicated that they will pay at least the minimum hourly wage of their country for each hour worked and that accommodation will also be provided. They are asking for help with a business or business activity. Contact the host directly via the site messenger for more information and details about the wage provided. Any arrangements should be agreed in advance with your host.
It's lambing season on the sheep farm (March-April) so there is tons to do. Main tasks include: monitoring the ewes in the sheds (watching out for ewes that become ill, looking for signs of labor), assisting in the births, preparing pens for the new mothers and lambs, caring for the newborn lambs (e.g., spraying their umbilical cords with iodine, bottle feeding), preparing the nightly feed for the ewes and assisting in feeding, adding fresh bedding to the pens, and other odd jobs as they arise. Ewes can lamb at all hours so the hours are not necessarily set for each day and depend on what is needed, but we take turns checking and tending to the ewes and lambs.When lambing is over there are lots of different daily jobs to be done and tractor driving and maintenance on the farm,timber cutting and lawns to be cut and also painting.Taking care of fencing and bounderies and also checking stock on a daily bases. This part of Mayo is quiet and peaseful and i hope my volunteers enjoy this area .Once lambing is over everything is run at a more relaxed atmosphere and loads of experiences to be enjoyed
Given the time it takes to learn how the farm operates and to get into a routine, a 2-week minimum stay is necessary (but the longer the better, to learn more and get the most out of the experience).
It would be appreciated if workawayers could occasionally cook.There is a washing machine for use for everyone
A good understanding of the English language is necessary in order to understand instructions.I can help anyone with there english where possible ,willing to pay wages for extra hours Your welcome to visit and suit to see if my farm suits workawayers
English: Fluent
Workawayers can stay in my 3 bedroomed house which is situated in the viiage of Ballycastle There is a large garden available if needed for anyone wishing to use tents
The other option is to stay in the mobile home which is based on the farm. The trailer is kept nice and warm with a wood stove.
Meals are prepared and eaten in my house or in the mobile home
Subject to covid restrictions.
There are 2 buses from Ballycastle to the larger regional town of Ballina (where there are direct buses to Dublin and Galway and also a train station), but one need to run errands in Ballina we can coordinate to drop you off there if you'd like to travel on your days off. There are bicycles here as well.
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
This host can provide space for campervans.
This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.
Two
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
