Natural building renovations to an old cottage and help create a permaculture garden on a sparsely populated island in west Cork, Ireland

Infos

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  Description

  We are renovating an old fisherman's cottage and establishing an organic permaculture garden on an offshore island in west Cork. We are looking for help primarily on the house, though there are also opportunities to contribute to developing the garden including growing vegetables, constructing a chicken-run, bee-keeping, re-building old stone walls, garden design and general maintenance and improvement of a small plot of land.
  We are using natural hempcrete insulation and lime plaster for the renovation, so during their stay visitors could learn the basics of how use these materials. Any skills in building, natural building, carpentry or previous plastering experience would be very useful, though not necessary, as the hemp plastering is done by hand and anybody is capable of giving it a go.
  Aside from the help, we are offering the opportunity to stay on an idyllic, very scenic, offshore island to the far south-west of Ireland. During the summer we have a small boat available for fishing and exploring the many islands of the surrounding Roaringwater Bay. Placement would suit someone, or two people, who would genuinely appreciate the experience of living apart from the world, somewhat removed from everyday experience and subsisting in relatively basic conditions while on the island. Though now that the house is nearly finished, we will soon have some relatively more comfortable accommodation available for people that are interested in contributing to the project as short or longer-term volunteers.

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Jardinage

  Bricolage et construction

  Baby-sitting et jeux créatifs

  Entretien général

  Aide avec des éco-projets
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  The house is situated in the heart of an old village to the west end of the island, with dramatic views of Mizen Head, Cape Clear and the Fastnet Rock. it is one of the furthest south-westerly points of Ireland. There are currently no public facilities on the island, no shops or pubs, though there is a 5 day a week, twice a day ferry service to the mainland, which is approximately 1km away.

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  Projets impliquant des enfants

  Ce projet peut impliquer des enfants. Pour en savoir plus, consultez nos directives et conseils ici.

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  Aide

  Primarily we have been doing the cottage renovation using natural materials including lime plaster and hemp-based insulation, though as this project is nearing completion, there are now more opportunities to contribute to the help on the land, creation of a permaculture garden and the construction of wooden cabins. We would be happy to accept 2 or 3 people travelling together who provided a combination of skills or interests, as there is plenty of other tasks to be done in the garden and on the surrounding land and also in terms of cooking, house-keeping and even child-minding, as help with this would free us up to get more things done ourselves. We are fairly flexible and willing to accommodate different skills or areas of interest, though we are looking for people with good enthusiasm and a capacity for some degree of self-sufficiency. Individuals also very welcome to apply, but must be reasonably self-reliant, with no problem spending time in quite an isolated location.

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  Langues parlées

  Anglais: Courant

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  Hébergement

  Accommodation on the island is in a caravan supplied with gas, electricity and a chemical toilet. Technically it is 4 berth, though would be crowded for any more than 2 people, unless very close friends, or family, willing to share. There is also potential to finish 2 small rooms in the main house reasonably quickly, to a standard that they could also be used as living space and/or additional accommodation. There is also a small wooden cabin that can be used as an additional sleeping space.

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  Autres infos...

  Staying on the island is an experience in itself, as it provides a degree of peacefulness, solitude and sense of escape which is genuinely unique. Nature-lovers, bird-watchers and those who enjoy being by the sea, boating, swimming or fishing would all be very at home here. There are 3 other inhabited houses at the west end of the island, along with a few others by the pier where the ferry runs from, but basically there is a limited amount of social or cultural activity here and your time is what you choose to make of it.
  
  In contrast to the island however, Ballydehob is a lively village with numerous shops, pubs, cafes, gigs and other entertainment and we are situated right in the middle of the village. There are similarly supermarket facilities and numerous shops, pubs, cafes etc.. in nearby Schull, where the ferry to the island runs from. Public transport facilities are available to easily access other parts of west cork and we are happy to provide advice and help you explore the area during time on the mainland.
  
  If volunteering for us and helping on the island, we will cover the cost of your ferry travel back and forth and organize logistics, getting supplies etc..

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  Informations complémentaires

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    Accès Internet

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    Accès Internet limité

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    Nous avons des animaux

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    Nous sommes fumeurs

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    Familles bienvenues

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  Possibilité d'accueillir les animaux

  Cet hôte a dit qu’il acceptait les personnes voyageant avec un animal.

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Plus de 2

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  Nombre d'heures attendues

  20

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