They have 5 testimonials (view below)
Dog(s), Cat(s), Chicken(s), Rabbit(s), Goat(s), Farm animal(s) – dogs (collie, labrador, retreiver, red setter, husky, spaniel,German Shepherd,Mexican hairless), cats, goats, sheep, cows, chickens, rabbits, geese, pigeons
They have a police check
From: 1 April 2025
Until: 1 April 2026
Artist / teacher
They have referees/references (view below)
We are open to any sort of house-sitting assignments - offering you peace of mind, care and respect for your house in exchange for a new and fresh experience for us.
We're a couple of professional creative workers.
Ă“rlaith is a digital media designer/ teacher and a visual artist. You can see some of her art work here: www.orlaithcullinane.com
Dara is a documentary film-maker, teacher and writer. Some clips of his work can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoLaWaSNzpgql1_gc4jSPgg
Our working lives are mostly self - directed and project based. Most of our work can be done in any location with a broadband connection. We sometimes have pre-booked short term teaching projects which may affect our availability for short notice sits, or very long term opportunities.
We're flexible, responsible and resourceful, as well as fully mobile in our well-loved camper van. Travelling, new people and experiences, arts & culture events, good food and wine, yoga, meditation, walking, carpentry, gardening - these are the main ways we like to spend our (non-working) hours - there's never enough in the day..
We're flexible, fit and healthy, energetic and love life and think that house sitting is a great opportunity to explore, expand our horizons, and get fresh perspectives - and also to hopefully contribute something to our hosts (maybe a little piece of artwork).
We've house sat a number of times in last few years, long and short term in Ireland, France and Italy. We've minded a wide variety of animals, sometimes with medical needs. References can be supplied.
We're experienced travellers -spending at least a month every year travelling in Europe in our camper. We've also spent longer periods living abroad - Orlaith has spent 2 years in San Francisco, Dara has lived for periods in Copenhagen, London and New York.
We are reliable and trustworthy, and treat any home with care and respect - and especially get a lot of satisfaction caring for pets and looking after gardens.
Orlaith was brought up on a farm, so she's very comfortable caring for any sort of animal.
We're very flexible, resourceful and self-reliant and very handy around the house and garden.
Dara is also a home owner, renting his own house to long term tenants. He enjoys DIY and cooking.
We're fit, healthy and active, and enjoy being outdoors as much as possible - yoga, walking, running, cycling and gardening.
We're currently available from April 2025 and can consider any duration of house sit after that date
France, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom
From: 1 April 2025
Until: 1 April 2026
They don't charge for house sitting services
MindMyHouse member since 2013
Age: 46-55 years old
Family status:
Couple
Total completed house sits: 6
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MindMyHouse member since April 2013
Testimonials
Wonderful friendly housesitters
Orlaith and Dara stayed at our place for a short break and looked after our dog, rabbit, hens and our polytunnel. From the outset they were very open and friendly, and we had complete confidence in leaving them with our pets and home. They did a great job, our dog was happy and well looked after when we returned (& had had plenty of walks and joined in trips to the coast with them) and everything was looking great. We hope they'll be able to come again, which shows how happy we were. Orlaith and Dara are both really talented in art and film making and we really enjoyed chatting to them about their work. We can totally recommend them both for house sitting and pet minding.
Kathy, Ireland, 02 August, 2020
Spruce Lynch
I felt comfortable after being in Orlaith & Dara's company within 5 min. of meeting them. They exude a friendliness and competence that I felt completely assured leaving them to care for my home and pets for a month. (Embarrassingly) there was an unexpected plumbing problem, no fault of theirs, they resolved without fanfare in conjunction with a neighbor. My pet sheep and cats wore relaxed smiles on their faces on my return, my plants were healthy, and the house was in better shape than when I left it! I hope they are available next year when I again leave for a month!
Spruce, Ireland, 06 September, 2017
Mr.John Delves.
Dara & Orlaith are a lovely young couple and we are very pleased with the care and attention to detail they have shown.They are a wonderful young couple and keep in touch with any minor problems that may arise.Orlaith is an excellent artist and Dara a very creative photographer.He has sent me photographs of our home from very different angles.I had to look hard to realise they were taken in our gardens.We are very pleased that they have agreed to return in September which I think speaks volumes for the esteem we hold them in.John.
John, Ireland, 27 February, 2017
Capable and confident
Orlaith did a great job of looking after my menagerie. She had a lot to do as I have dogs, cats, goats, pigeons and hens and 2 of my dogs were on medication at the time. I left her very detailed instructions and she followed them no problem. I was very happy when I returned. I would recommend her for house sitting and I'd ask her back again!
Mandy, Ireland, 26 February, 2017
Orlaith & Dara
Orlaith & Dara have been great house sitters for us. They spent two months over the summer of 2016 looking after our house and garden in Provence, with the serious challenge of helping us cultivate a crop of tomatoes for the first time in difficult soil. They came up trumps in every way, leaving us with a bumper crop, and a load of lovely home made tomato chutney. They kept the house tidy and well organised, and were always available if we needed to get in touch. They were also great company when we returned, and we continue to keep in touch as good friends.
Richard, France, 20 February, 2017