Job Application
2026 Great Blasket Island Caretaker’s Job Application
Hello! We are looking for the next duo to run the Great Blasket Island coffee shop and overnight accommodation for the 2026 season.
If you would like to apply, please read the FAQ’s below and fill in the application form.
For any queries please contact gbicaretakers@gmail.com. Any applications or enquiries emailed to info@greatblasketisland.net will automatically be deleted – this is used for boat and accommodation bookings only.
Míle Buíochas,
Billy & Alice.
Please note there is a cap on the amount of applications we can receive and are very sorry if you missed out this time round. There will be future positions, so make sure to follow our social media pages for more updates;
Facebook: Great Blasket Island
Instagram: @greatblasketisland
Twitter: @gbisland
Sé an t-am san den mbliain aríst ina bhfuilimid sa tóir ar bheirt Oileánach nua ar an mBlascaod Mór. Léigh na Ceisteanna Comónta le do thoil, Líon isteach an fhoirm iarratais thíos. Muna bhfuileann tú cuí de réir an chritéir atá leagtha síos sna Ceisteanna Comónta, ná lean ar aghaidh led’ iarratas, le do thoil, ach gabhaimid buíochas leat as do chuid suime.
Dein teangamháil le jobs@greatblasketisland.net má thá ceist agat. Deinfear aon iarratas poist nó fiosrúchán a chuirtear go dtí info@greatblasketisland.net a scrios go huathoibríoch mar gurb é seo an seoladh dos na háirithintí amháin.
Míle buíochas,
Billy & Alice.
Le gach dea-ghuíW
Frequently Asked Questions
The caretakers role is to manage the coffee shop and 3 holiday cottages on the Great Blasket Island. This involves meeting and greeting overnight guests, cleaning and painting three holiday cottages, serving tea and coffee and snacks to day visitors from the coffee shop and ensuring the every day to day runnings are being met. We are looking for hardworking, responsible and trustworthy duo that have great people skills and initiative. Please be aware this is not a holiday job. The season can get VERY busy and you will be on your feet for most of the day.
Please note the Island can get VERY busy. This is an intense positions and caretakers must acknowldge that they are on an Island with very little resources.
A general day would be:
- Ensuring coffee shop and public toilet building are prepped and set up for opening.
- Guests check out @ 10 am. Once checked out you must proceed with full clean of the houses and get them ready for new arrivals. This should take approx. 3 hours.
- Coffee shop open, serving teas and coffee to day visitors throughout the day.
- Guests check in – this time varies depending on tides.
- Coffee shops closed approx 5 pm.
- Clean, check stock and set up coffee shop ready for next day.
Staff will sleep above the coffee shop, sharing the main bedroom and use the coffee shop kitchen as their own. There is a private bathroom and sitting area in the cottage for the staff to use. The sitting area includes a fuel burning stove which can be lit in the evening. Any laundry will be collected and washed on the mainland and food shops will be delivered daily. During the busier months – June, July and August – we may get one or two voluntary helpers who will sleep in the second upstairs bedroom.
Yes if you are a non EU citizen you will need a valid working visa.
No, the selected duo must cover all their travel expenses / accommodation expenses until they board the boat to the Island.
Our season begins from 1st April ending mid October (weather permitting). Ideally we like to get the caretakers out the Island around the last week of March to settle in before opening.
Days off are determined by the weather. We could have a week of bad weather, therefore no sailings to the Island, or else 4 weeks of sunshine. This is where the role can be very intense. During the busier months of June, July and August we will get ‘helpexers’ in on a voluntary work basis in exchange for bed and board.
Yes you are paid a wage – to be discussed further upon application.
All food and board is included in the position on top of your wage. Alcohol and toiletries are not included in daily shops.
You will sleep in a bedroom above the coffee shop and will use the coffee shop kitchen as your own (all located in the same building).
Our main priority are the guests and coffee shop. If there is a long period of bad weather / days off we encourage any general DIY or maintenance.
Fluent English speaking is required. If you have Irish that would be great, please specify in your application.
Job Application Form
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