Brigid
& Justin

Australia
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Profile information

Reply rate
66.7 %
Travel information
We are currently
Travelling
Activities we are interested in:
We enjoy meeting new people, learning new skills, and helping out wherever we can.
Our next destination:
Italy - from Aug 2025 until Sep 2025
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Description
About Us

Hi! We’re Brigid (28) and Justin (31), an Australian couple currently based in Ireland bur travelling throughout Europe in August and September. Justin is a carpenter and concreter who has owned his own business in Australia for many years. Brigid is a professional with over 12 years in corporate experience working in financial advice specialising in retirees and aged care. Currently on a career break to explore beautiful Ireland!

We’re down-to-earth, hands-on people who love being outdoors and getting involved. Between us, we bring a strong mix of practical and professional experience—from farm life and horse care to construction and finance. We enjoy meeting new people, learning new skills, and helping out wherever we can.

We love to travel and have lived in Canada for a few years as well doing hospitality and outdoor work including - maintenance - hotels and lodges, golf course work, trail work, back country lodge management etc. so are happy to help with anything!

⸻

Skills & Experience

Brigid
• Lifelong experience with horses (owner for 12yrs) — confident in daily care, handling, and riding. Would love to ride again if the opportunity presents itself!
• Comfortable around animals and farm settings
• Over 12 years of experience in the finance industry (admin, management, logistics). Masters of Business Administration & Diploma in Financial Planning.
• Highly organised, friendly, and dependable

Justin
• Qualified carpenter and experienced concreter
• Skilled with tools, repairs, renovations, landscaping, and manual work
• Strong work ethic and always up for a challenge
• Great with problem-solving and working in varied conditions

⸻

✅ Why Choose Us?
• Fluent English speakers
• Both have valid work permits for Ireland
• We both have an open licence and a car
• Comfortable working independently or in a team
• Fit, reliable, and eager to help
• Friendly, adaptable, and easy to get along with
• Respectful of your home, property, and routines (homeowners in Australia ourselves)

⸻

🧳 Practical Details
• Available immediately
• Happy to travel across Ireland as we have a car and further into Europe
Interests
Music
Art & design
DIY & crafts
Cooking & food
Carpentry
Animals
Beach
Adventure sports
Camping
Fitness
Nature
Winter sports
Outdoor activities
Mountain
Hiking
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Skills and knowledge we'd like to share or learn
We're interested in:
Hospitality/Tourism
House sitting
Animal Care
Being an elderly companion
Art Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Life at a Farmstay
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Helping around the house
Helping with Computers/ Internet
Some knowledge of:
General Maintenance
More details about your skills
• Qualified carpenter and experienced concreter
• Skilled with tools, repairs, renovations, landscaping, and manual work
• Strong work ethic and always up for a challenge
• Great with problem-solving and working in varied conditions
Age
29 & 31
What else ...
We’re currently on a career break and looking forward to learning new things and stepping out of our usual routines and professional roles.
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
  I have asthma and am allergic to dogs.
- Special dietary requirements
  N/A

Website Safety

Feedback

8 Sep 2025

Left by host (Join us at a nature reserve ...) for Workawayer ()

I’m truly sorry to hear that your stay did not meet your expectations. During your time with us, our communications felt really positive and nice, so I was surprised and saddened to read your review. We always strive to provide a welcoming and very flexible experience, and we take great pride in ensuring guests leave with fond memories of Ireland… read more

(Very good )

28 Jul 2025

Left by Workawayer () for host (Join us at a nature reserve ...)

Honest Review – Accommodation Needs Improvement, Left Early

We were originally planning to stay for a few months but left after a few weeks due to concerns around the living conditions and how issues were handled. We’re sharing our experience to help future Workawayers make an informed decision.

Accommodation:
The volunteer accommodation is a… read more makeshift cabin built behind a farm shed. It’s important to clarify that most past reviews refer to a renovated silo, which is no longer available for Workawayers and is now a rental for paying guests. The current cabin is a much simpler and unfinished structure.

The flooring is made of loosely laid plywood sheets, with visible gaps, uneven joins, and unsecured panels. We regularly stubbed our toes or tripped over edges—just walking around was a hazard. In colder weather, the gaps would let in a lot of air; we were told the wood burner needs to stay lit 24/7 in winter to keep the space warm enough.

One bedroom had no window at all, while the other had a window without any covering making it difficult to sleep. The rooms have no drawers so you will need to live out of your suitcase. The entire space was very dirty on arrival and needed a full deep clean. I became unwell shortly after arriving, possibly due to stagnant water feeding the cabin or bacteria left on the kitchen tools. When I mentioned this, I was told that things “should have been cleaned by me first.” Even asking for a vacuum to clean properly was met with discomfort and unease from Ilija, the on-site manager.

The bathroom is in poor condition. There were signs of water damage and mould throughout, and the plumbing is gravity-fed—meaning the toilet and shower barely worked. Water pressure was minimal, making it hard to wash properly.

At one point, five people were sharing the kitchen and washing machine—ourselves, another Workawayer, Ilija, and his wife. The space is very small, and shared facilities like the kitchen and laundry were almost always in use, which made it difficult to relax or settle in.

Groceries & Reimbursement:
You are expected to cover your own groceries upfront and be reimbursed in cash later. While we were told this would happen weekly, we were only reimbursed once—when Ronan briefly visited the property. The remainder was given when we left. As no bank transfer or Revolut option is offered, this meant we were out-of-pocket for most of our stay.

Work & Expectations:
The work involved outdoor manual tasks like hauling branches, lopping trees, and helping with renovations. The land itself is peaceful and scenic, and we enjoyed working outside—it was one of the few highlights of the experience.

That said, we were regularly expected to work well over 8 hours a day, which we hadn’t agreed to. When we raised this concern with Ilija, he pulled us aside privately—away from another farmhand—and told us not to discuss it again. He also discouraged us from bringing it up with the hosts, saying they were too busy to be involved. This made it difficult to speak openly or feel supported.

Ilija is Albanian and the farm hand. As he is not Irish we didn’t get any cultural immersion, and he wasn’t able to share any farming or horticultural knowledge during our stay. If you’re seeking a cultural exchange or to learn local agricultural skills, this may not be the best fit. We only saw Ronan once and never met Marie, so there was no real host involvement during our time.

Transport & Isolation:
A car is essential. The property is in a remote rural area with no public transport. Bikes are technically available, but the main road is unsafe—even the hosts advised against using them. The other Workawayer, who had no transport, often had to rely on others for groceries and errands.

Final Thoughts:
We did express our concerns, but the accommodation setup was not improved enough for us to stay. Ultimately, we didn’t feel the environment was suitable for a healthy, supported Workaway stay. Another kind and capable Workawayer who stayed alongside us had similar concerns and also chose to leave early after a few weeks.

(Negative )

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8 Sep 2025

Left by host (Join us at a nature reserve ...) for Workawayer ()

(Very good)

28 Jul 2025

Left by Workawayer () for host (Join us at a nature reserve ...)

(Negative)

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