A former teacher and a County Offaly farmer, he is also an honorary member of the International Vegetarian Union and of the World Esperanto Association.

Christopher Fettes was born in Bromley, Kent, England and educated at Clayesmore School, Dorset, and in English and French at Trinity College Dublin.

For a number of years, Fettes accompanied children to Esperanto youth and family gatherings in various European countries.

[citation needed] In 1991, he purchased the remains of the Bloomville estate: 55 acres of land with a decaying Georgian farmhouse in County Offaly.

In addition, Esperanto-speakers from as far away as Australia and Brazil, Japan and Korea are provided with free accommodation.