Saving traditional thatch cottage
Donation protected
Hello all! My name is Thea, originally a Canadian who immigrated to Ireland in 2020... yup, that was fun with the pandemic. I arrived alone and unable to access help due to the severe lock downs in Ireland but I learned skills and made my wee thatch cottage homey. My dream had always been to return to my mother's ancestral home country, live in a thatch cottage and honour my heritage through my work holding retreats to sacred sites in Ireland.
No major works could be conducted on the cottage during the pandemic and when the world came back to normality, supply chains had tripled the cost of replacing the front of the thatch cottage. The back had been thatched but alas, the front was not done at the same time.
At this point I had exhausted my savings as I couldn't work, the Canadian government wouldn't support me during lockdown unless I returned to Canada but all my life, including pets, were here. The Irish government wouldn't support me as I was here at that time on a student visa in order to stay until I found a sponsor employer. The thatch unfortunately was last on my priorities of personal survival.
The thatcher who previously did the work connected me with a grant... a grant that has not increased since the 80's! So a 3,800 euro grant barely touches a job that is now rated at an estimate of 17,000 euro!
As the cottage is not listed I am unable to access certain grants. I have no mortgage as I paid in full for the cottage. As an expat, yet to gain full residency, I am unable to mortgage the cottage.
My desire is to retain the heritage of the thatch as sadly they are disappearing from the landscape due to grant issues and other elements including insurance. I have full insurance with no issues.
My property operates as a BnB and has a traditional traveler caravan for a glamping experience. I take folks on personal tours as well as hold retreats where we travel to heritage sites around the country. I bring famous traditional musicians to my property to play small concerts on my land and tell the stories about the enormous ring fort across the field from my place.
I named the cottage Aisling cottage... translation is dream or vision. My home has become a place of healing partially because of the place but also as I am a mental health worker and life coach.
Do you want to be a part of saving Irish heritage.... to be a part of a healing space... to perhaps experience part of your dream to live in a thatch cottage and step back in time?
Donations of 5 euro or more receive public thanks.
Donations of 200 euro or more receive a day tour.
Donations of 500 euro or more receive a 2 night stay and one day tour!
Organizer
thea trussler
Organizer