Remoteness
They say no man is an island – but you can be the exception to the rule if you land Bird Watch Ireland’s new job. There are two jobs up for grabs on Rockabill island, which is 7km off the north Dublin coast. The summer jobs will see two wardens placed on the island, of which they will be the only inhabitants.The wardens, who don't need to be enthusiastic birdwatchers, will be perched for three months on top of the rocky outcrop of two tiny islands that are home to a working lighthouse, accommodation and "just enough room to stretch the legs".
Applicants can forget home comforts, the shops and the pub, and must be prepared for the company of thousands of seabirds.
The work entails the monitoring and protection of the migrant Roseate, as well as Common and Arctic Terns, during the May to August breeding season.
Birdwatch Ireland development officer Niall Hatch admits the work isn't for everyone but says it's a "feather in the cap" for anyone wishing to advance their careers in environmental or similar sciences.
"It's a job for somebody who comes from a biology or environmental science background or somebody who has a lot of experience in that field," Mr Hatch told the Herald.
Mr Hatch said Rockabill is "a magical place". "When the sun is shining there and the weather is nice, it's gorgeous out there. When the weather is bad, it's pretty exposed," he added.
The job runs from May to August, during which time the wardens will only be given two weekends off the island – weather permitting. The Roseate Tern is the most endangered bird in Ireland.
When the successful applicants are left on the island they will be given provisions for their stay, and be dropped off by chartered boat.
Remoteness
They say no man is an island – but you can be the exception to the rule if you land Bird Watch Ireland’s new job. There are two jobs up for grabs on Rockabill island, which is 7km off the north Dublin coast. The summer jobs will see two wardens placed on the island, of which they will be the only inhabitants.The wardens, who don't need to be enthusiastic birdwatchers, will be perched for three months on top of the rocky outcrop of two tiny islands that are home to a working lighthouse, accommodation and "just enough room to stretch the legs".
Applicants can forget home comforts, the shops and the pub, and must be prepared for the company of thousands of seabirds.
The work entails the monitoring and protection of the migrant Roseate, as well as Common and Arctic Terns, during the May to August breeding season.
Birdwatch Ireland development officer Niall Hatch admits the work isn't for everyone but says it's a "feather in the cap" for anyone wishing to advance their careers in environmental or similar sciences.
"It's a job for somebody who comes from a biology or environmental science background or somebody who has a lot of experience in that field," Mr Hatch told the Herald.
Mr Hatch said Rockabill is "a magical place". "When the sun is shining there and the weather is nice, it's gorgeous out there. When the weather is bad, it's pretty exposed," he added.
The job runs from May to August, during which time the wardens will only be given two weekends off the island – weather permitting. The Roseate Tern is the most endangered bird in Ireland.
When the successful applicants are left on the island they will be given provisions for their stay, and be dropped off by chartered boat.