We have a comfortable two-storey four-bedroom home (area 200 square metres) with views of Galway Bay. The main bedroom has a queen sized bed and ensuite bathroom. There is another room with a sofa that converts to a comfortable double bed, and two other rooms with single beds. We love cooking, so the kitchen is well equipped. We have a power shower so there is always hot water for a shower.

We live in a peaceful rural area with ample opportunities for walking, cycling and swimming (the beach is 5 minutes away by car). The house, surrounded by a landscaped garden, is set on a quiet road in Indreabhán (Inverin) and has views of Galway Bay, the Burren, the Aran Islands and the Cliffs of Moher. If you like walking, there are plenty of opportunities to do so on peaceful country roads with views of the ocean and surrounding hills. Just around the corner from the house is a vast area of bogland wilderness accessible by a quiet local road that is ideal for walking free from traffic. For swimming, picnicking and relaxing, there are beautiful beaches about 5 minutes from the house. There are very few holiday homes in our area; most are permanent family homes, which makes staying here a very authentic experience. The well-served village of An Spidéal (Spiddal) is just 10 minutes away and has restauants, pubs with Irish music, and a craft centre. Irish Gaelic is the main language of the area but everyone can speak English. It’s very easy to get to the Aran Islands as the airport and ferry port of Ros a’ Mhíl (Rossaveal) are just 10 minutes down the road. Shopping is easy, as there is a large, well-stocked supermarket just 5 minutes from the house.

Unfortunately, Siobhan is highly allergic to cats, so can't stay anywhere with cats or where cats have been.

For summer we are interested in exchanges of minimum 10 days and maximum 3 weeks duration any time during June and August

Midterm exchange 5 days Dublin / N Wicklow October 2014

Also interested in weekend exchanges in other parts of Ireland

Open to any dates

France -- Mediterranean coast or Atlantic coast from La Rochelle to Biarritz
Spain -- Costa Brava, Atlantic coast from Santander to A Coruna

Siobhan and John got married in 2007 and have a daughter Riona, who was born April 2009. John is a teacher. He is fluent in Irish Gaelic and French. Siobhan is an adult education tutor. She enjoys theatre, film and creative writing. John and Siobhan both enjoy nature, going for walks and swimming at the nearby beach.

English, Français, Gaeilge