111/365: Lesley Bond, Monastervin, Co. Kildare episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 25, 2026 · 25 MIN

111/365: Lesley Bond, Monastervin, Co. Kildare

from Sin Scéal Eile

I am absolutely fascinated by Lesley Bond’s story. We met in Woodstack Café, which is nestled away in the woods in Kildare and feels like you’ve been transported back in time, and after hearing Lesley’s story it makes total sense. Lesley once held one of the most coveted (and viral) jobs in Ireland. We’re all seen it, we’ve all dreamed of it. Herself and her (now) husband, got hired as the caretakers of the Great Blasket island in 2019. They lived for six months, without electricity, wifi, or even a fridge. They spent their evenings in the tiny cottage, reading books by candlelight. In the daytime they’d welcome visitors to the island, serving them cups of tea (heated by their wee gas stoves), having the chats and providing some rudimentary accommodation as well. Lesley’s new book explains it all (and is so beautifully written too). RxSin Scéal Eile - That's Another Story was hosted and created by Ruth Medjber, with sound by Ronan Lally. The podcast is produced by Dee Reddy at Poddle Audio with original music by Elaine Mai. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I am absolutely fascinated by Lesley Bond’s story. We met in Woodstack Café, which is nestled away in the woods in Kildare and feels like you’ve been transported back in time, and after hearing Lesley’s story it makes total sense. Lesley once held one of the most coveted (and viral) jobs in Ireland. We’re all seen it, we’ve all dreamed of it. Herself and her (now) husband, got hired as the caretakers of the Great Blasket island in 2019. They lived for six months, without electricity, wifi, or even a fridge. They spent their evenings in the tiny cottage, reading books by candlelight. In the daytime they’d welcome visitors to the island, serving them cups of tea (heated by their wee gas stoves), having the chats and providing some rudimentary accommodation as well. Lesley’s new book explains it all (and is so beautifully written too). RxSin Scéal Eile - That's Another Story was hosted and created by Ruth Medjber, with sound by Ronan Lally. The podcast is produced by Dee Reddy at Poddle Audio with original music by Elaine Mai. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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111/365: Lesley Bond, Monastervin, Co. Kildare

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This episode is 25 minutes long.

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This episode was published on April 25, 2026.

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I am absolutely fascinated by Lesley Bond’s story. We met in Woodstack Café, which is nestled away in the woods in Kildare and feels like you’ve been transported back in time, and after hearing Lesley’s story it makes total sense. Lesley once held...

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