The Fitzpatrick Family

Laois, Ireland

Trusted Host Family

Doubly vetted 3 reviews

About us

We live in a large, modern, comfortable  detached home, 1km from rural village on edge of the sliabh bloom national park. We have a large garden with set of goals for soccer/gaelic football. We also have a basketball hoop which is used a lot by the whole family in the summer. The nearby village although small has great facilities. There are 2 primary schools and a secondary school. There are lots of clubs including basketball, soccer and GAA. There is a soccer pitch, all weather astro pitch, GAA pitch and community centre with basketball court. We are an easy going, loving family. Before settling down in Clonaslee with our family we travelled quite a bit. We lived in New Zealand for 6 years where our first child Caoimhe was born. We are interested in other people and cultures and think it would be great for our children to get to know children from other countries and gain an awareness and understanding of other cultures.  We are an active family and enjoy walking in the nearby sliabh bloom national park. Our children enjoy sports such as soccer, basketball and gaelic football. Caoimhe enjoys art, writing stories, songs and poems and playing music. She plays acoustic and electric guitar. Cillian is into photography and Tiernan loves robotics and baking. We enjoy family day trips to visit places of interest. In a typical immersion week with us we would spend some days exploring the local area for example exploring Sliabh Bloom national park visiting places such as Glenbarrow, Kinnity, Moniknew and the catholes to name but a few. Other days we would arrange day trips to places of interest. In the past we have brought our visitors cycling/walking/exploring in Lough Boora parklands, Stand up paddle boarding on the River Shannon, riding the Cu Chulainn roller coaster and other exhilarating rides at Tayto park (soon to be renamed Emerald Park) or for those who are less fond of adrenaline activities we have also brought our visitors to places such as the very pretty Kildare village for some outlet shopping or to visit places of interest in the city of Dublin. We are flexible and if there is somewhere within a reasonable distance that our visitors would like to visit we can try to accomodate this. As the children are involved in sport it is likely that there would be gaelic football or hurling matches to go to also. This is a great opportunity to experience our national sports which are a huge part of Irish culture.

Host family children

Male 15 Yrs, 10 Mths
Female 17 Yrs, 10 Mths
Male 13 Yrs, 4 Mths

Parent/Guardian 1

Occupation: School Teacher - Primary

Parent/Guardian 2

Occupation: Environmental Scientist

What's Included

  • No other children of same nationality
  • Activities with the host-family or in local camps
  • Trip Insurance
  • Double-Vetted Host Families
  • 24/7 Famworld Support
  • Optional airport transfers

Family interests

Soccer
Walking
Cycling
Reading
Cinema

Amenities

Own Room
Non Smoking
WIFI
Garden
Bedrooms 6
Bathrooms 3
Diet
Reviews
5
Solenne
August 2022

Hugo had the chance last year to spend 2 weeks in the Fitzpatrick familly. He has been warmly welcome, so happy about the house, the arounds and most important the familly. he was happy to play and talk with the children and talk a lot to improve his english. That was the aim! It was very nice for him to visit the area, make nice walks, playing and making sport with the children!! Many activities : Tayto Park, Lough Boora Parklands and SUP on the River Shannon. On my mother side it was very important to talk with Fitzpatricks before during and after Hugo's stay in Ireland. I could feel he was in good hands! Solenne

Ruth - Parent
July 2023

My 15-year-old son Ivan has been with the Fitzpatrick family for 13 days and the experience has been wonderful. The Host mother and her husband and children have welcomed Ivan as one of the family. He has felt very comfortable from day one. They've gone to the movies, played board games and video games, and gone on bike rides. He's been lucky enough to go on mini-breaks with the family to the west of Ireland, bathing in lakes and even in the cool waters of the beach. At the end of his stay he had the opportunity to attend a historic car race and this is greatly appreciated since Ivan is a huge fan of the motor sport. This experience has been very positive for Ivan, he is delighted with everything and has been able to practice and learn the language a little more. thank you so much for taking such good care of my son. Ruth

Carlotta -Parent
July 2024

This was my son Tobias first experience abroad, and it was a wonderful one!! He spent three fantastic weeks with Fitpatrick family: he did and enjoyed a lot of activities with them like cycling long a canal, walking in the forest and they visited together a lot of places all around Ireland (from the Moher Cliff to Dublin, Glendalough Wicklow, Powerscourt waterfall, Paulnabrone Dolmen in the Burren…). It was a real immersion experience in Irish life: they went to the cinema; they spend free time all together playing boarding games and videogames. They participated all together to a Guinness World record event too!!! For me it was very nice to have some messages and pictures from the family during Tobias’s stay : nice to be updated about daily life! Tobias was really part of the family, and his English has improved.

Location

Memories that last

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