Adventure and Leadership Program: Semester Length, Fall and Spring Cohorts

Adventure and Leadership Program: Semester Length, Fall and Spring Cohorts

Location
  • Ireland
Length
4 - 12 weeks
Program Tags
Adventure Travel Cultural Immersion Hands-On Learning Volunteer Abroad
Merit-based funding, Payment plans, 529 Plan eligibility
Health & Safety

Program Details

Activities
Kayaking Trekking
Timeframe
Fall Spring
Housing
Guesthouse
Primary Language
English
Age Min.
18
Age Max
22

Pricing

Price Details
Program fees include all meals, housing, activities, and transport within Ireland and the full 24/7 support of the Irish Gap Year team.
Please visit our website for more information on what is included in our program fees.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Equipment Meals Park Fees Tour Guide Transportation Wifi
What's Included (Extra)

All food, accommodation, activities, travel within Ireland, and full, 24/7 support from the Irish Gap Year team are included.
Please see our website for more details on what's included in the Adventure and Leadership Gap Year Program

What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance
What's Not Included (Extra)

Flights and medical insurance

Apr 29, 2026
May 15, 2026
91 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Our Adventure & Leadership Program takes students far off the beaten path, deep into Irish culture and nature where they will discover more about themselves and the world around them.

This structured, group-based program immerses students in our local community and Irish way of life. Expect plenty of outdoor adventure, leadership workshops, team challenges and meaningful volunteering projects, alongside travel throughout Ireland.

Ireland’s rugged landscapes and welcoming communities create the perfect backdrop for personal growth and exploration. Throughout the program, students build self-awareness, confidence, independence, teamwork and leadership skills. Our hope is that students leave with a stronger sense of self and a perspective that stays with them long after the journey ends.

You do not need to be especially outdoorsy to enjoy or benefit from the Adventure & Leadership Program all that’s required is a willingness to try new things and step beyond your comfort zone!

COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

This program offers a balanced mix of structured activities and flexibility, with supportive leaders who encourage growth through outdoor adventures, cultural immersion, and volunteering.

Program Highlights

  • Expeditions around Ireland: Each expedition on the Adventure and Leadership Program is unique with its own area of focus and theme. The expeditions are 3 to 5 days each and will and bring you far off the beaten track and face to face with Ireland’s hidden
  • Amazing Race Challenge: Mystery locations, wacky and fun tasks, build your travel IQ
  • Volunteering with Liquid Therapy in our afterschool surf therapy program.
  • Team Challenges: Developing leadership and communication skills in real-world, experiential settings
  • Live with Your Peers: Share a household with your fellow gappers in the beautiful coastal town of Bundoran, County Donegal

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion 💙

We welcome students from all walks of life and backrounds and have hosted many BIPOC students on our programs.
We welcome students from all walks of life and backrounds and have hosted many LGBTQIA+ students over the years. Ireland and Europe in general are quite progressive with regards to LGBTQIA+ policy, lifestyle and support. Irish Gap Year provides support to our LGBTQIA+ students to help them feel secure and safe during their time with us.

Impact 🌎

Irish Gap Year is a Carbon Negative Company, meaning we remove more C02 from the amosphere through our ecological volunteering than we create as an organization (including student flights to Europe).

Irish Gap Year Director, Ryan Allen is the Chair of the Gap Year Association's Sustainability Commitee and created the Association's Climate Action Plan in 2023.

Program Reviews

4.81 Rating
based on 197 reviews
  • 5 rating 81.22%
  • 4 rating 18.27%
  • 3 rating 0.51%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Housing 4.6
  • Support 4.75
  • Fun 4.8
  • Value 4.75
  • Safety 4.85
Showing 105 - 112 of 197 reviews
Charlotte
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

fun, friends, and potatoes

Despite ever-changing covid guidelines in Ireland, the past three months have truly been some of the most memorable months of my life. The IGY leaders have a good balance between creating structured plans and allowing the gappers to independently explore/ decide what we want to do. The town of Bundoran is a very nice beach town and I really enjoyed waking up next to the ocean each day. My group became very close throughout our three months of camping, hiking, surfing, and exploring this beautiful country together! Highly recommend for anyone looking to reconnect to nature and make new friends.

What was your funniest moment?
Meeting late-night besties with Belfast locals <3 #welcometotheboneyard
154 people found this review helpful.
Fiona
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Irish Gap Year

Irish Gap Year was 10/10. I had so much fun in Ireland, despite COVID-19 restrictions. The programs leaders did a great job of making sure that we had a full experience, and we got to do a ton of activities, like hiking and surfing. It was incredible actually living in a foreign country, and engaging with the town and cities around us. I would definitely recommend this gap year program to anyone looking to immerse in Irish culture and enjoy the beautiful natural scenery, as well as forming great relationships with other students. I miss it so much!

123 people found this review helpful.
Caleb
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Irish gap year adventure and leadership program

This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me. I went into this program knowing that Covid would restrict some of what we do but, I feel as if I made the absolute most out of this program. Staying in the house with everyone was the best part of the program. We had a very fun and interesting group dynamic and I can honestly say there wasn’t a day where I was not bored. Despite Covid restrictions, the leaders did there best to keep us active and entertained. My favorite activity during the trip was surfing and I do plan on continuing to surf back in the states. I highly recommend this program to anyone wanting to try something new and exciting.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Keep your options open and try everything. Just enjoy your yourself in Ireland!
126 people found this review helpful.
William
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Irish Gap Year Adventure & Leadership Program

I had a great time in Ireland with Irish Gap Year and would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone. It was the perfect mix of adventure and fun while still developing leadership skills, making a positive impact in the community with volunteer work, and learning about topics ranging from environmental science to Irish history and so much more. From surfing and cliff jumping to hiking and jewelry making, all of the activities are amazing and the program does a great job of providing opportunities to try new things and always have fun doing it.

What was your funniest moment?
Meeting Irish people in the streets and comparing their Irish slang to my own from the United States.
125 people found this review helpful.
Johnny
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Adventure and Leadership Program

I had a fun time on this trip a lot because I was able to meet new people and spend time in a place that I had never been before. We were able to also do many activities that I had never done. I like the fact that we had a set schedule every week so we know what we are doing every day and we are prepared. The leaders were good people and were very helpful the whole time. I would recommend this program to anyone who is interested in doing activities like hiking, surfing, and cliff jumping. Great time overall.

What was your funniest moment?
When Stinky Davey did anything. That kid is a character.
118 people found this review helpful.
Nicholas
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Irish Gap Year Adventure Program Spring ‘21

Disclaimer: My experience was different from what other groups have done on this program given that I completed this program during COVID 19 and there were rules/restrictions in place. Regardless, I had an awesome time on this program. What made this program special was the relationships I made. I thought the activities done and the living arrangements (among other things) created great camaraderie among the group. I also thought the program did a great job of keeping us busy. Personally I am happy staying busy and it was a welcome change from the unfortunate alternative of living with covid.

What was your funniest moment?
When we watched Dillon Collings Dells Ducks number 12 highlights. Shoutout Aga, Mr Mark, and Jamaican Ryan.
121 people found this review helpful.
Emma
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Irish Gap Year Adventure and Leadership

I loved my semester with Irish Gap Year! Despite covid restrictions, we were still able to explore Belfast, Derry, Enniskillen, Galway, Sligo, and the Cliffs of Moher among other towns. Living in a house with a group pf people my age is a unique opportunity IGY provides and I have come out of this program with many friendships. My leaders are fantastic and so much fun! They are always positive and flexible. Our days are filled with surfing, hiking, cliff jumping, camping, fishing, exploring cities, volunteering, and workshops. I have come out of this program with countless new skills, like setting up shelters, and navigating. I am taking the connections I made and unique experiences away from my gap year with IGY.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Do not be afraid to speak up! IGY is very flexible and if there is something you want to do, all you have to do is ask
117 people found this review helpful.
Avani
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Adventure Program Review

I had a really good experience with Irish Gap Year! We did some super fun outdoor activities like hiking, surfing, and camping. We also did a few workshops and a bit of volunteering around the town which was great! Even with restrictions, we took a few trips around Ireland so we got to learn about bits of Irish culture and history. The leaders are all super friendly and want to help you grow as a person. I also really liked the housing situation as it allowed me to become close with all my peers.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice for future gappers is to immerse yourself in the program so you get a lot out of it. Overall, just have a positive mindset.
122 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers