Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
8 Feb 2024
Feedback
13
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Details
Description
Hi there, I live on a small farm in rural Ireland and have two grown up daughters who live independently. The current projects underway here are building an off-grid tree house, a vegetable garden and some management works in the native woodlands. I work for myself in education for sustainability and supporting social enterprises. I have travelled abroad and have many international connections through my work so I am used to international cultural exchanges. Several of my friends here locally invite volunteers to for their projects and we regularly get together to help the cultural exchange. I recognise that I cannot do all I want to do here with this lovely place and so I am involving others. The work involved is all on my small private house and lands and I believe there are enough interesting projects on-going to suit many different workawayers.
I am seeking help on some interesting projects I am working on here on my private home and garden.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I work in education for sustainability and have quite a lot of international experience so I offer a respectful learning environment to helpers. I enjoy sharing my knowledge and experiences with others. I have plenty of social connections locally and there is a lot of interesting activity going on so you will have plenty to do in your time off.
Several of my friends locally also use volunteers and we gather quite often and share experiences together so you can meet other volunteers.
Help
Thank you for taking the time to read my profile. I live in a beautiful house in the south east of Ireland about 140 kilometers from Dublin and 3 kilometers from the small town of Graig-na-Managh, Co Kilkenny which has daily buses to Kilkenny city. I live on 15 hectares (35 acres) which include 7 hectares (20 acres) of native woodland with pathways and a waterfall. I am involved in several different projects and am looking forward to welcoming you to my home and getting some help around here.
The current projects underway here are building an off-grid tree house, helping in the vegetable garden and some work on the native woodland on the land.
I always need help around the house and garden. In the house I need painting and general DIY help so some building skills would be great. There is a vegetable garden and I need help keeping this going.; the help will be varied and interesting and we can perhaps teach each other new skills.
I will also need help with tasks on the land such as stone wall building, keeping the young trees healthy and safe, and looking after the few animals we have. I have quite a few building skills myself so I just need support on this project but someone with building/handyman experience would be very useful.
There is work in the woodland joining the two little footpaths that are there in a manner that creates a loop walk without disturbing the trees too much. This also involves building some features such as stone seats and walls, a small bridge, shelters etc.
I would hope that the tasks would be varied and interesting for you and you would not be doing the same tasks all the time.
. I would want someone to stay at least two weeks. I have put a selection of photos of my house and lands on the site.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Beginner
Accommodation
I have a guest room in my house which I restored about 20 years ago so it has all the necessities of life. I share the house with a young Frenchman who has lived here for four years following his initial volunteer experience here. My brother visits often from the UK. A life-long friend owns part of the land here and also visits often from the UK.
By the summer of 2022 we will have another small available for the Workwayers to stay in so that they have some independence which is better for all concerned. There will be bathroom and a basic kitchen in this unit and we would also share some meals in the main house. You would be expected to help 5 hours per day, 5 days per week. Ideally, I am looking for someone who has general handyman/building and/or gardening experience. I could also do with some social media skills as I am trying to promote this project. However, with the right attitude there is no need for having skilled work experience as there are plenty of simple tasks that just require committment such as cleaning, clearing the garden, moving things about the place etc.
What else ...
The rest of the time you would be free to explore the magical fairy woodland here and loads of lovely places locally.
Graig-na-Managh is a small town of 1800 people and has a lovely river flowing through it which during the summer is a good bathing spot and because years ago the river was important commercially it has a tow path all along it for walking. There are shops, library, community activities and lively bars to explore in the town. There is a bus to Kilkenny everyday which would allow you to visit this thriving medieval city.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
There is plenty of space around the house here and we can accommodate campervans but I need to place them a little hidden and away from the house as the views of the mountains is an important aspect for other guests.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
About 5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (7)
Speaking of which, the variety of tasks was unprecedented: construction of a rockery,… read more
It was very interesting and I was able to learn a lot from him.
he has a good command of the English language and knows a lot of different vocabulary.
Photos
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.7)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
Speaking of which, the variety of tasks was unprecedented: construction of a rockery,… read more
It was very interesting and I was able to learn a lot from him.
he has a good command of the English language and knows a lot of different vocabulary.
We did bits and pieces in the veg Garden and painted the whole guest apartment. We had a lot of fun and some great hours together. Victor always reminded us to not over work and watched the hours so that it would never be too much.
In our free time we did a day trip to Kilkenny and Victor… read more
Victor is very welcoming, and we could speak about lot of subjects.
Victor’s house is very nice and charming typical irish house in the countryside. We could taste his cooking like his own bread or vegetable steaks.
Victor is very friendly and he’s here if you need something.
We worked in… read more
