A Dublin couple who started a commune are hopeful they can welcome new residents to their haven.
Charlotte Knee-Zaska and her husband Max purchased an acre of land in Offaly in 2017 after deciding to seek out a more tranquil life for themselves and their daughter Iza. The couple spent over €50,000 renovating the land, which now has two separate homes.
The couple eventually were joined by friends James Smith and Ffion Thomas in 2021, who also have a daughter. Ffion and James live in the original cottage was already present on the land at the time of purchase, which Charlotte renovated to accommodate two families.
READ MORE: Beloved northside cafe to close its doors after 30 years serving local community
Charlotte, a yoga teacher, told the Irish Mirror: “It’s worked really well. We’re not on top of each other as we still have separate living areas, but you also know you’re never alone. All the adults often have a coffee in the morning together and we help each other out with our kids.”
The number of inhabitants was growing even before James and Ffion made the move to Offaly, as Charlotte and Max welcomed daughters Eden, 3, and Thea, 1, after the 2017 relocation from Dublin.
Charlotte says it is the perfect place to raise children and the support she receives by having her friends in close proximity is invaluable. The two families live as a community, eating homegrown, or organically sourced food, such as beetroot and kale, and keeping chickens for eggs, and running women’s retreats from their home.
Charlotte said: “I’d always wanted to have a proper home as I was moving around so much as a kid. When we moved it was a bit daunting at first as we had no heating, and the garden was just rubble and mud.
“Slowly with saving we’ve built up the garden and homes so we can live as a community with our friends. It’s great because I can get some peace and quiet while Ffion or James look after the kids.
“I also know that they can run out and play in the garden and I don’t need to watch them. We have a slower pace of life and it’s great to live with your friends.”
But while she adores the site, she has not ruled out relocating the commune in future years.
Charlotte added: “It would be lovely if we had more people to join us. I’d love to find somewhere a bit closer to the sea .But it would also be hard to leave her as I have an attachment to it now.”
READ MORE
Trinity and TUD lead the way as 1,500 students caught cheating at Irish universities
Teacher lambasted for 'inappropriate outfit' as parents all say the same thing
Comedian Jason Byrne mocks Ryanair’s priority boarding in viral video
RTE Late Late Show line-up revealed as Hollywood legend joins Ryan Tubridy
2fm star Doireann Garrihy's warning to dog owners following scary incident in the park
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.
