Volunteer in West Cork – Work, Stay, and Explore Ireland

Volunteer by the Wild Atlantic Way (Ireland)

Experience the beauty as a volunteer in West Cork while volunteering at our campsite and helping to maintain the surrounding land. If you’re looking for a rewarding work-exchange opportunity in a peaceful and inspiring setting, this is the perfect place. Surrounded by mountains, unspoiled beaches, and breathtaking landscapes, you can enjoy nature while lending a hand. Whether you want to improve your English or Serbian, practise yoga, savour delicious homemade meals, or connect with like-minded travellers, we’d love to welcome you to our community.

Located along the breathtaking Wild Atlantic Way, Dunbeacon Camping and Glamping is set on the stunning Mizen Peninsula, with sweeping views over Dunmanus Bay and the Sheeps Head Peninsula. Our site sits in a peaceful rural location just outside Durrus village, within easy reach of the charming villages of Ballydehob and Schull, as well as the lively market town of Bantry.

Volunteer in West Cork: Tasks & Roles

As a small, family-run campsite and glamping retreat, we offer a more personal and nature-focused alternative to mass tourism. Our site is surrounded by mature trees, a flowing stream with a waterfall, and panoramic ocean views. We welcome guests looking for a unique getaway and are seeking enthusiastic individuals who enjoy outdoor tasks and hands-on work.

The role involves a range of duties, including cleaning, cooking, gardening, painting, general maintenance, and skills-based projects such as carpentry, stonework, and construction. During the peak season from June to August, the focus is on maintaining the facilities, keeping the grounds tidy, changing beds in our Tipis, and ensuring the kitchen and toilets are spotless. During this time, we ideally seek a couple or two friends who can work well together.

Outside the busy summer months, there are opportunities to assist with smaller projects such as painting, landscaping, and minor building work. Helpers who can commit to longer stays are especially welcome, as consistency is important in maintaining the smooth running of the site.

Volunteer in West Cork: Living & Getting There

Accommodation is provided in a newly renovated three-room attic conversion adjacent to our main house. The space features fresh flooring, insulation, furniture, and paintwork, offering a comfortable and private place to stay. It boasts stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean, with shared access to kitchen, laundry, and bathroom facilities downstairs.

Cork is the nearest airport, located about 90 minutes from Bantry, the largest nearby town. A regular bus service connects Cork to Bantry, as well as the villages of Schull and Ballydehob. We can arrange pick-ups from Bantry upon arrival and departure. Our location is approximately 15 km from Bantry and 13 km from Ballydehob and Schull, making it an excellent base for exploring the region.

Volunteer in West Cork: What Else?

As a friendly and easy-going family, we love meeting people from all over the world and sharing experiences. Our dogs are a big part of our lives and enjoy spending time both inside and outside the house. Having spent years living in different countries, we chose to settle here to embrace a slower, more nature-connected lifestyle.

Our home is a partially renovated old farmhouse on a few acres of land, featuring a stream, meadows, beehives, and an abundance of native wildlife. Situated on the Mizen Head Peninsula, we are surrounded by beautiful beaches, hidden coves, and scenic mountain trails with spectacular views over the Sheeps Head Peninsula.

The best way to explore the area is by bike, and we provide bicycles for our helpers to use. Public transport options include bus services in Bantry and Ballydehob, with a new Link bus connecting key locations across the peninsulas, including Durrus, our closest village. We are also happy to offer lifts to Bantry or other nearby places when possible.

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