Looking after pet donkeys and cats in peaceful rural north county Dublin
Introduction
Myself and my husband live on a small farm which has a young broadleaf woodland (eighteen years old) and a few fields for our four pet donkeys to roam. We also have three lovely cats, which live outside in the summer. We are not farming the land actively, and have it more or less as a nature reserve. We have a lot of wildlife and do not allow hunting or shooting on the land. My background is in horticulture, while my husbands is in agriculture. We are both interested in nature and want to maintain/ enhance the biodiversity on our land. We need a sitter to look after the animals when we go on vacation, which is mostly in spring and or summertime. We enjoy outdoor pursuits especially sailing.
Show more...Home & location
We live in large open plan bungalow, with three bedrooms, a fourth is my office! The house has a modern fitted kitchen with a central island, and an adjoining sitting area with a wood burning stove. We have our own wood from the woodland. We have oil fired central heating also. There is a large formal sitting room and a small office off the spacious hallway. There is a utility room off the kitchen with a freezer. There is a large garage with additional freezers also. There is Wi-Fi and TV of course! The house sitter will stay in one of the guest bedrooms. I have uploaded an image of the single bedroom, we also have a double guest room. As the house is just 2 miles from Swords, shopping centres, cinema etc. are easily accessible. There are a number of farm shops and markets in the area as well. The area is flat and conducive for cycling. There are lots of rural roads to explore. We have a bicycle if required! Malahide estuary is close to Swords and is a great amenity for walking, cycling, birdwatching etc. it leads to the nearby seaside town of Malahide which is lovely. The beach there is the nearest for swimming. Public transport from Swords is excellent and the city of Dublin is just a 35 minute bus ride off peak times. Alternatively, the farm offers short woodland and meadow walks for those interested in the great outdoors. The Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre which is approximately eleven and a half kilometres from here offers a range of interesting events, including traditional music. Newbridge House which is 6 kilometres away is a large estate run by the county council and has lots of amenities plus a model farm. Ardgillan Castle to the north is another county council estate worth visiting and boosts a fabulous walled garden, sea views and woodland.
Show more...Responsibilities
The three cats need to be fed each more and evening. They require a dose of spot on wormer/ flea protection on the back of their neck with their fur parted to expose the skin. This is to be applied once while we are away on the 4th May 2022. I will demonstrate how to apply when the sitter arrives. The donkeys need to be checked twice a day to see if they are ok, not lame and have enough fresh water. I will go through the routine with the sitter before we depart. I have some house plants and some potted plants outside which will require watering also. The sitter is free to harvest any salads that are ready in the garden of course! We would also like the sitter to bring the mail inside each day from the mail box at the gate.
Show more...Meet the pets

Ginger
10 years

Fluffy
10 years

Scamp
10 years

Sophie
32 years

Katy
26 years

Matilda
16 years

Josie
17 years
Sitter Reviews (4)
Homeowner Reviews (0)
None
Our experience as house and pet sitters was absolutely incredible and filled with so much love. The place is simply stunning, and the cabin was beyond comfortable, providing everything we could possibly need and more. But what truly made this experience unforgettable were Dorothy and John—such beautiful souls who welcomed us with open arms and made us feel at home from the very first moment. Their warmth and kindness touched our hearts deeply. And caring for Fluffy, Scamp, Ginger, Matilda, Katy, Josie, and Sophie was nothing short of pure joy. Each of them brought so much love and positive energy into our lives, and we cherished every moment spent with them. This experience was truly magical, and we are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of your lives. Our hearts are full of gratitude, we can't wait to come back and relive this incredible experience. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts—it has been a tremendous pleasure and honor to know you.
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Dorothy and John were very gracious hosts! They ensured I had all the details needed to hit the ground running. Dorothy cooked meals for me, and left me with the bulk of my food for the stay. They let me stay several days on either end as well. When I asked for a couple changes- use of shower and switching to the double bed, it was no problem. They set me up with a bicycle to get into town, yet their friendly neighbor was also happy to help. The animals were just lovely. I highly recommend if you are looking to spend some quality nature/farm time!
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A review was not left by the sitter.
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John & Dorothy are extremely welcoming! It's my honour to be able to housesit for them twice! They are extremely flexible with the dates, allowed me to stay an extra week. Dorothy is very patient with me, teaching me how to take care of the plants and identifying the different insects. The pets are absolutely gorgeous. 4 ladies (donkeys) in the field are beautiful and really easy to take care of. The 3 cats are lovely. Each of them have their personality. They're perfect companion on days when you're home. Thank you so much for feeding me, driving me to and fro town and taking care of me during my stay.
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