Few natives ever give Castleisland and its environs the kind of credit it gets from the director of a rapidly growing and innovative business which she founded and based here.
Antoinette Butler is a native of the deeply historic county of Waterford and she’s the director of Irish Host Family.ie.
This is a fast-growing Castleisland-based business which provides English language learning experiences to hundreds of European students each year.
Personally Selected Host Families
The business started officially in May 2012 with summer camp. It has been grown from an understanding of the needs of visiting students and the attraction and availability of facilities within easy reach of the Castleisland base.
“Students are accommodated with personally selected host families and attend English language classes as well as a wide range of sport and leisure activities during their stay,” Ms. Butler explained.
Fully Experience Irish Life
“The programmes offered by Irishhostfamily.ie range from two week intensive stays during the year and summer months, to full academic year stays where students attend a local secondary school and fully experience Irish life from September to June.
“Earlier this year, Irishhostfamily.ie welcomed its first group of third level Agricultural students. They were accommodated and worked on local farms as well as improving their English proficiency.
Scholarship to Germany Available
“Irishhostfamily.ie also encourages Irish students to learn languages abroad, sometimes offering scholarships as an incentive. Under the initiative, students have been sent to Germany for school terms with great success as the irish students had the opportunity to embrace a new culture, learn the language, new sporting possibilities, and the opportunity to travel.
“We are currently offering a scholarship to a deserving student for a four-month stay in Germany and anyone interested in taking up this exciting offer can contact us for more information through the details at the end of the article.
There is a boost too for the local economy from the activities of Irish Host Family through the injection of new monies from Europe into the region.
“This influx of students in turn boosts the local tourist attractions, bus companies, cooking classes, art classes, sports clubs such as: An Riocht AC; badminton; basketball; rugby; tennis; swimming memberships; gym membership; restaurants; equestrian centres; surfing clubs and many more.
Influx of Business
“This influx of business into the locality comes not only from the visiting student but also from families visiting this region for the first time. They utilize the local B&B accommodation and hotels and short term lets that Irish Host Family promotes.
“You couldn’t base a business like this in a better location. Castleisland has everything going for it. Look at all the excellent sporing facilities and services we have here and it’s so central to everywhere else in the county.
“It is a very rewarding business to be in. Seeing students blossom, growing competent in English and providing an economic boost to the local economy brings its own rewards,” Ms. Butler concluded.
For more information of any aspect of Irish Host Family business you’re invited to contact 066 71 47 845. Email: antoinette@irishhostfamily.ie or visit the website with a click on the image.
