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Brazil
My experience was very negative. What should have been a cultural exchange became labor exploitation. The host treated volunteers like employees, demanding more hours than agreed, including heavy tasks and frequent requests outside scheduled time. I worked exhausting shifts, including 12 hours straight, and was promised payment for extra hours that was never made. In the end, the host tried to justify not paying me by using my days off as an excuse. It was disrespectful, unfair, and exploitative. I do not recommend this place. “Questions. Direct!”
7 months ago
Ana,
We’re sorry to hear your experience was not positive, as it seemed you were enjoying your time in Newport and connecting with locals.
On St Patrick’s Day, we asked you to work extra hours as it’s our busiest day, with time off in return. The photos were your own initiative. We stayed flexible with your schedule, and you were always free to refuse changes.
We regret the misunderstandings, likely due to communication, and apologise. We wish you all the best.
United States
Gautier (recently joined the host and will remain on premise 'til October-great addition to the host) and workers/cooks/volunteers made my experience memorable. This is the best part. Consider reading all negative comments because true. Gautier might make communication and organization better. I was a volunteer willing to learn but not a worker. I complained about amenities (lack of heat and black mold). I'll stop. I did leave early. Sorry!
9 months ago
United States
This experience was not ideal whatsoever. The staff at the pub are great, but the host was not. Due to terrible communication on the host’s end, I was met with confusion upon arrival. I was then shown my room for which I never received a key, so my belongings were left unlocked for 3 weeks. Additionally I was not given a key to enter the building in which I was staying, resulting in me being locked out at 1am. There was also no heat on in my room, despite near freezing temperatures. I left a week early.
11 months ago
United States
The communication was very bad. I didn't really feel listened to when raising issues, I said multiple times how my heat was not on and was just told repeatedly that the heat was in fact on. The schedule is rarely made out in advance and sometimes the next day would be blank and so you wouldn't know when to work. There is also no clear instructions and everything is done differently by everyone leading to a lot of confusion and disorganization. The entire staff is very nice and a lot of the locals are very friendly but the lack of organization is just very frustrating.
about 1 year ago
Brazil
The experience at Walsh Bridge Inn was very good, I could practice my English with native speakers and volunteers from other countries. The people were kind and respectful and all issues were resolved by the host properly . I would like to thank everyone for their help and friendship, especially Chef Ann, Annete, Fran, Aileen and Francis!
over 1 year ago
Germany
Unfortunately, my experience here was not very good. The lack of organization made the experience frustrating. There was no clear system for keeping track of when volunteers arrive and the shift planning was also very disorganized, with very little notice given. I was here in March when the weather was very cold, yet the heating in the rooms was only turned on if paying guests were staying at the B&B. When it was just the volunteers, the heaters stayed off, leaving us to freeze through the night. This is completely unacceptable and shows a lack of basic consideration for volunteers.
over 1 year ago
Chile
It was a good experience, at first I was surprised because the place is another one that the photographs indicate, since it is currently in a construction process. In the other hostel where I was, everything that required volunteering, tasks, food, schedule and accommodation was fulfilled. Very respectful and nice people with you. Thank you very much for everything!
over 1 year ago
Spain
Unfortunately, my experience at the guest house was disappointing. It was under renovation (which no one told me), so I was sent to Walsh Bridge Inn. The exchange includes laundry (at the manager's farm) and meals (you can use the pub's kitchen, but staff are working, so you feel in the way). The staff was kind, but the manager was absent and provided no guidance. The work is easy but disorganized. The private room was nice, but overall, it's not a social hostel experience—just work. I wouldn't recommend it.
over 1 year ago
Spain
Excellent experience, both the host and the whole team and of course the rest of the volunteers are 10, the best thing without a doubt are the personal relationships and the bonds of friendship that are forged. If you have an intermediate level of English it is ideal because the people are super friendly and you will be able to improve a lot in the language although the Irish accent is somewhat difficult. Newport is a small, pretty and quiet town with beautiful surroundings. The work is very varied, I had to work hard on the renovations of the guest house but it was gratifying to feel useful.
almost 2 years ago
Brazil
I really enjoyed the experience and recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about Ireland through the eyes of the Irish. The people there are friendly so you'll feel welcome, even if your English isn't great.
over 2 years ago
Many worldpackers have been applying to this position recently. The host will probably not be able to respond to all of the applications, so we recommend that you also apply to other hosts in our community and not just this one :)
