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.
17
Age Max
22

Pricing

Starting Price
17000
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.
For more information on whats included in our program fees please visit our website www.Irishgapyear.com/info/frequently-asked-questions
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Equipment Meals Park Fees Tour Guide Transportation Wifi
What's Included (Extra)

All food, accomodation, activities, travel within Ireland and full, 24/7 support from the Irish Gap Year team are included.
Please see our website www.irishgapyear.com/info/frequently-asked-questions 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

Jan 05, 2024
May 10, 2024
76 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Irish Gap Year’s Adventure & Leadership Gap Year Program will take you far off the beaten track, deep into Irish culture and nature where you will learn much about yourself.

You will become immersed in our community and Irish culture, be challenged physically through outdoor adventure and mentally through our leadership workshops and volunteering in our community.

The rugged natural beauty of Ireland and warm heartedness of the people offer a unique setting for your journey of self-discovery. Throughout this program you will develop a deeper level of self-awareness, independence, group dynamics and self-governance. We hope that you will take with you a way of thinking and self-awareness that will last a life time.

You don’t need to be outdoorsy to enjoy and benefit from the Adventure and Leadership Program, it’s all about a willingness to participate and pushing your perceived boundaries.

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion

BIPOC Support

We welcome students from all walks of life and backrounds and have hosted many BIPOC students on our programs.

LGBTQIA+ Support

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

Sustainability

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 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
  • Community Immersion: Live in your own magnificent Victorian home on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean on Ireland's rugged Northwest coast. Your home is cozy, quirky and quaint. Here you'll learn invaluable independence building skills with your peers!
  • Volunteer in the Community: Make a meaningful and positive impact on our community as you volunteer on farms, animal shelters, with local youth groups, Clean Coasts Ireland and other local organisations.
  • Develop your Leadership and Communication Skills: Our leadership workshops are fun, interactive and experiential. You'll learn much about yourself and others as you are challenged to work within a team on a wide range of projects.
  • The People: Irish people are amongst the freindliest and funniest people you'll come across anywhere and our gappers always love getting to know the locals. They're quirky sense of humor and unique outlooks on life won't disapoint!

Program Reviews

4.84 Rating
based on 172 reviews
  • 5 rating 84.3%
  • 4 rating 15.12%
  • 3 rating 0.58%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Housing 4.7
  • Support 4.8
  • Fun 4.85
  • Value 4.75
  • Safety 4.9
Showing 33 - 40 of 172 reviews
Default avatar
Georgia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

#irishgapyear

Irish Gap Year has been an extremely rewarding experience for me. While the program has pushed me out of my comfort zones (as I’m sure it’s designed to), I have never felt like I was being thrown off the deep end. The program created a safe space where I could push myself more.
For potential gappers in the future, this program will provide you with unique and fulfilling experiences. You will see and do things you probably never thought you’d do.

What was your funniest moment?
Breaking the salt at our social night… there’s probably a better one but I can’t think of it as of right now…
Pros
  • Unique and strong friendships
  • Discovering Ireland and its history
  • Learning about yourself and your capabilities
Cons
  • Constant activity- can be exhausting for less experienced people
  • Constant social interaction- it can be hard to get alone time
  • Don’t always get a lot of free time in cities/trips
66 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Weston
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Irish Gap Year

I just had a great time. The staff was supportive but also gave us space to figure things out for ourselves. I learned a lot about living with other people during this trip. I learned how to take initiative and communicate with my housemates. And I lived most of the activities. The surfing was amazing. I really felt like I have grown as a person on this trip and have found myself. I feel like I am much more prepared to go out into the world and carve my future. The staff were so great and I had a blast with my fellow gapers

Pros
  • Surfing
  • Great staff
  • Exploring cool places
Cons
  • Dishwasher was broken
  • Sometime it was hard with other kids on the program
  • Not being allowed to ask for ice cream on the shopping list
71 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Lukas
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

We love Niall

I absolutely loved this program, I feel like I’ve gained a lot from it, I’ve made incredible lifelong connections with the people I’ve lived with and I’ve learned a lot about the country and culture. We’ve had many adventures throughout the country and I’ve enjoyed every single one of them. The leadership and staff here have also been great, they listen and provide help whenever needed. I’ve loved my time here and would recommend this program to anyone whose interested in Ireland or someone who wants to experience the outdoors in a different country.

Pros
  • Lots of traveling and a lot of fun
  • Good food
  • Get to meet amazing people
Cons
  • Long days
  • Lots of physical activities so you’ll usually be tired
  • The houses will usually end up dirty by the end of the week
67 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Eoghan
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Adventure and leadership gap year

I had an amazing time interacting with the locals while helping and learning more about the Irish culture. Our group of gapers created bonds that we will never forget. We had an amazing group of leaders that helped us when we were sick and always watched out for us. Even when going on long walks or hikes our leaders made sure we were good to go and enjoying the time. Another one of my favorite parts about traveling Ireland is getting to experience cafes and shops that I don’t don’t get to see back where I live.

Pros
  • Meeting people
  • Exploring new places
  • Letting lose
Cons
  • Cold Weather
  • Being sick
73 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Kate
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Irish gap year

I had an amazing time on the program. I tried lots of new things and was able to grow a lot as a person. I made lots of new friends and got to participate in lots of fun and challenging activities. The leaders were all very kind and helpful as well as experienced in the activities we were doing. The housing situation was very good because we all lived close to each other and were able to hang out whenever we wanted. The houses were also in a very scenic place where we could go for walks along the beautiful cliffs around bundoran

Pros
  • We got to try all sorts of activities, such as volunteering, surfing, and hiking.
  • Leadership workshops were educational and fun at the same time
  • The program leaders were always there to help if you needed anything and really cared about all the students
72 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Lila
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Irish Gap Year Adventure & Leadership

I went into Irish Gap Year hoping to grow and prepare myself for college while also making friends and having meaningful experiences. I came out of it having done all that and more. The program struck the perfect balance between pushing me to challenge myself and creating an environment that was safe and fun for everyone. I felt comfortable relying on the staff when I needed to and encouraged to participate and grow. Most of all, I am truly grateful for the unique and close bonds that were built between us through the experiences we faced and time we spent living in close quarters. I feel prepared to face what college has to offer me and am feel extremely lucky to have had this opprtunity.

Pros
  • Student Led Trip
  • Group living
  • Nights out at the Phoenix
Cons
  • Being sick
  • Castle park
  • Drinking ban
55 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Ava
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Irish Gap Year Adventure and Leadership

I was kind of nervous about coming to Ireland because I didn’t know anyone and was scared about the activities that we would do. Turns out it was the best decision I’ve ever made. I’ve made lots of new friends, tried new activities like surfing and hiking, and experienced a different culture! I feel like I’ve grown as a person and found a purpose and gained confidence. If I could I would totally do this program again! The leaders are very supportive and helpful as well. Truly the best program ever.

Pros
  • Learning about the Irish culture
  • Traveling around Ireland
  • Making life long memories with the group
Cons
  • The program being only 12 weeks. I would love to be here longer
56 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Andrew
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Irish gap year review

Irish gap year is a fantastic opportunity for growth. I participated in the adventure and leadership program and feel I grew as a person in the time I spent in bundoran. On the first day Ryan Allan said to the group,”You get what you put in to the program.” That could not be more true. I advise that those who apply that they must be ready to put in effort and be put in foreign or uncomfortable situations. The one piece of advice I would to future gappers is to follow the rule that tells one not involve yourself in romantic relations since they tend to take away from the experience of the program. Overall I had a great time at Irish gap year and if you are ready to put in effort it may be a great fit for you.

Pros
  • Very well stuctured
  • Great social scene
  • Opportunities to mature and grow
Cons
  • Activities can get repetitive
56 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers