Great Blasket Island, located off the coast of Dunquin near Dingle, Ireland, is looking for a pair to take charge of the coffee shop and the island’s night accommodation from April to October.
A breathtaking deserted island is looking for two intrepid people to operate a coffee shop during the spring and summer – though there’s one significant hurdle. The picturesque Great Blasket Island, located off the coast of Dunquin near Dingle in the Republic of Ireland, is looking for a couple to manage the café and island guest accommodation.
Caretakers will be responsible for maintaining the three holiday cottages, “cleaning and painting,” “looking after visitors,” and, of course, making tea and coffee while maintaining “day-to-day activities.”
Great Blasket Island, a wildlife refuge, is sure to attract those seeking an off-grid existence, but its lack of permanent residents won’t leave caretakers idle.
The job listing states, “The role of the caretakers is to manage the coffee shop and 3 holiday cottages on Great Blasket Island.”
It says, “This includes meeting and greeting overnight guests, cleaning and painting the three holiday cottages, serving tea and coffee and snacks from the coffee shop to day visitors and making sure the daily routine is being met.
“We are looking for a hard-working, responsible and reliable couple who have great people skills and initiative. Please be aware that this is not a holiday job. The season can be very busy, and you will be on your feet most of the day.”
The list places even greater emphasis on the demanding nature of the role, warning that the island can be “very busy” and describing it as an “intense” situation, with carers needing to accept that the location offers “very little” in the way of resources.
Successful candidates should plan to reach the island during the last week of March, weather permitting, from April 1 to mid-October.
The list also mentions that the weather “determines” holiday days. For example, a prolonged period of inclement weather may mean no sailing, while four solid weeks of sunshine may again mean an “intensive” time for carers.
However, the job is not without its benefits, as carers will, in addition to their salary, also enjoy food and meals, although it is pointed out that alcohol and toiletries are not part of the daily routine.
As with last year, the successful candidate will rest in quarters above the café and will have access to the site’s kitchen facilities. In a separate note about their duties, the app also acknowledges that “general DIY or maintenance” is encouraged in the event of prolonged inclement weather or days off.
Designated a ‘Special Area of Conservation’, the island stretches for four miles and covers 1,100 acres. Empty of inhabitants since 1953, Great Blasket Island was once one of the most isolated Irish-speaking areas of Corca Dhuibhne.
A major attraction of the island is its wildlife; lucky visitors may spot a number of species, including Risso’s, common and bottlenose dolphins, as well as basking sharks, grey seals and whales.
The island also showcases a diverse bird life, boasting species like gannets, puffins, Arctic terns, guillemots, and cormorants.
Visit the website to apply for a job here.
