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Description
***This is NOT an au pairing position*** as the children don't enjoy being minded by strangers!
********We CAN'T take more than one person at a time*************
We would PREFER if our workaways were OVER 23. We also have a preference for those who have lived away from home. We really appreciate energetic people here who can work using their own initiative.
NB*****Please do not apply unless you have FULLY READ our profile.
We eat a wide variety of foods and we need our helper to be open to all kinds of food - though we have no issue with vegetarian as we eat this way 80-90% of the time. But, we use EVERY vegetable and fussy eaters aren't welcome because it makes sharing meals too difficult! We are not vegan.
From May 2023 to October 2023: we are looking for someone who can be a 'handyman' and general maintenance inside the house in- Moycullen. The house we now live in is looking onto a lake. The land around it needs work, as does the house itself, such things as sanding, painting and putting up shelves, electrical works like sockets and light switches, gardening -weeding, pruning, planting, removing dead wood - knowledge of chainsaw useful.
Splitting logs for the wood store and piling to dry.
Galway is well known for it's multicultural aspects and there is always something to do or go to. There are many festivals or mini festivals. A quick google search would give you some idea!
We are on the Connemara bus route, but many that have stayed with us in the past have cycled as we have a bike available for use. The buses are less frequent than our previous house - so this house is more for people who like nature and being independent. The bus routes are Bus Eireann 419 and CityLink 923
Our family is Mark and Nikki (aka Dad and Mama), Maebh (21), Art (9)and Cuan (8). Maebh doesn't stay with us these days as she is away in university.
I am presently a stay at home homeschooling mom after finishing up further education in accounting and previously worked in a street theatre company here in Galway. I continue my education with nighttime childcare and horticultural related courses.
My husband and I both have B.A.s in Media and Irish(he), Geography(me).
Mark finished studying a Masters in Primary Education and is working between different schools as a substitute teacher.
I have had a variety of extra courses which have led to an eclectic collection on my CV! - Yoga Teacher, Massage Therapist, Horticulture, Accounting, TEFL and Special Needs Assistant!!
We have been to many European destinations, but my favourite travel experience is when I stayed for 7 months in India with Maebh. I went back twice after, but to stay in an ashram and to do training in yoga and massage styles. I know my husband's favourite 'travel' experience was his time spent living in Brazil. He worked as a TEFL teacher.
Art - well, he's a 9yr old that is friendly but he finds all transitions difficult so there can be noisy situations when this happen, emotional disregulation!
Cuan is a bundle of energy! He ejoys being creative; also known as making a mess !!! He had a difficult start with reflux/cow's milk protein intolerance - he's improving but now suffers with significant eczema and allergies. He takes a while to warm to new people. I'm happy with this as I see it's important to be discerning in who you're friendly with!!!
We have a beautiful Siberian cat - her name is Nova. We have a young Doodle pup; Rogue.
We have been so grateful for most of the workaway people we've had - a few have truly been exceptional, beyond our expectations and so gladly received. The boys make quite the racket, and are very boisterous with each other - so as is typical in families with children close in age -there is noise! LOTS!
That's the summary of our family. It's very busy and we don't have family around, hence we feel someone capable and RELIABLE would suit being here. We really think working on your own initiative is very important too.
I also need assistance as the children take up most of my time, and because I have had fibromyalgia since 2007.
We hope you will find our host listing interesting enough to ask more questions about. Happy to reply as best we can. Sometimes if we don't answer straight away it's down to children taking our time, but we'll do our best.
Help is Monday- Friday 9-3 with lunch break around 1/1.30.(but we are flexible enough)
We try to accommodate giving days off in a row so that people can travel further away - often people think it must not take long to get around Ireland but road networks and transport mean this isn't necessarily true.
We can also guide you to attending conversational English language exchange and morning classes in Galway town.
We are on a bus route and we have a bicycle for use.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Practicing English - we will try our best to speak as much as possible - but sometimes this might be in the mornings and evenings when time is more available.
Enjoying Galway. There is a high student population in Galway which adds to the vibrancy of the city.
Galway is a fun, vibrant town known for its arts and music scene, especially in July with the Film Festival and renowned Galway Arts Festival and Halloween for the Macnas parade. Also a feature is the Galway Market which runs every Saturday and Sunday.
Travelling around on the days off. Numerous beautiful beaches are nearby (Silver Strand, Salthill, Barna), as well as the beautiful Burren, Cliffs of Moher, Aran Islands, and stunning, Irish-speaking Connemara. Also an abundance of lakes, including the one at te back of our house -Ballyquirke Lough.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
May - September: Shelving, building bits and bobs, electrical, chopping wood, gardening - pruning and planting and weeding. Using own initiative is important or just a good amount of common sense!
We would love someone who can use a chainsaw, general knowledge of tools usage
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Irish: Fluent
Portuguese: Fluent
Accommodation
Own Bedroom in a 4 bedroom Detatched House in the countryside.
What else ...
We are beside a lake and near coastal areas in Connemara and Salthill.
Galway is well known for it's multicultural aspects and there is always something to do or go to here. There are many festivals or mini festivals. A quick google search would give you some idea!
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
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week, minimum stay 4-6 weeks but preferably longer.
Feedback (16)
As a workawayer I was literally an handyman, doing a variety of different jobs like gardener, carpenter,plumber, builder, mechanic, electrician etc. There's a lot of work to do around and inside the… read more
Working with Nikki, I often did things differently than Nicky said, and she treated me with great patience.
She understood my poor English well :)
They helped me in the process of settling in Ireland as well.
(But they wouldn't always be able to help because they're busy.)
Especially, I had a lot of… read more
Photos
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(4.9)
As a workawayer I was literally an handyman, doing a variety of different jobs like gardener, carpenter,plumber, builder, mechanic, electrician etc. There's a lot of work to do around and inside the… read more
Working with Nikki, I often did things differently than Nicky said, and she treated me with great patience.
She understood my poor English well :)
They helped me in the process of settling in Ireland as well.
(But they wouldn't always be able to help because they're busy.)
Especially, I had a lot of… read more
They did everything to make me feel comfortable. Nikki likes to talk, and so do I, so we got along great.
There is so much to see in Galway, and you can take short trips to see Connemara.
thank Nikki! :)
welcome to visit whenever you can:)
He's the kind of person you could have stay longer:)
His work ethic was to give 100% - and I… read more
You will find this charming family warm, caring and adventurous! It has been such a privilege to stay with them for a few months, it flew by so fast and was so hard to leave. If you're looking for a family-oriented environment this is the place for you! Have mad cooking skills? They love to try new things and are always… read more
On a practical note, from day one I knew exactly what was expected of me and what I needed to do which made everything so easy. Nikki was so helpful with… read more
SO, the main thing is, Renata is fantastic. She stayed with us for… read more
She… read more
Such a blessing to come to Nikki and Mark family! Since my first time with this family, I really know that i would like and maybe love this family. And yeay! It’s really true! I am falling in love with this family. There is no perfect family but they show me, how to share the… read more
From the beginning I knew she was just able to do everything, because she didn't need me to show her the way around the kitchen, instead, telling me kindly, she could find everything herself. It was true. She… read more
