Location
  • Ireland
Length
4 - 12 weeks
Program Tags
Adventure Travel Cultural Immersion Hands-On Learning Volunteer Abroad

Program Details

Activities
Kayaking Trekking
Timeframe
Fall Spring
Housing
Guesthouse
Primary Language
English
Age Min.
17
Age Max
22

Pricing

Starting Price
16500
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 19, 2022
Nov 21, 2022
62 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 course and volunteer 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. Our goal is create an environment that nurtures this process.

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.

Video and Photos

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

4.90 Rating
based on 143 reviews
  • 5 rating 90.91%
  • 4 rating 8.39%
  • 3 rating 0.7%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Housing 4.75
  • Support 4.85
  • Fun 4.9
  • Value 4.8
  • Safety 4.95
Showing 49 - 56 of 143 reviews
Default avatar
CJ
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great Life Experience

I had so much fun learning new things and going on adventures everyday. I learned how to surf and get over my fear of heights and made lifelong connections. Even with the COVID lockdown it was a great experience.

My health also improved over this trip. The hikes and surfing definitely helped my endurance and stamina. I know I will do a lot of hiking when I go home.

I also met people that I probably would not have talked to if it weren’t for this program and now they’re really close friends.

What was your funniest moment?
Running through Belfast late at night. We had a curfew so my friends and I stopped at McDonald’s for food and then ran back.
38 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Charlotte
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Irish Gap Year

I had a great time with Irish Gap Year despite being nervous about how COVID would impact the program. I really feel that I got to see a lot of Ireland despite being on lockdown for half of the program. We got to see Belfast, Derry, Sligo, Enniskillen and other Irish cities. It was really fun living and getting to know people my own age while also getting to experience the beauty of Ireland. I would highly recommend this program to anyone who loves the outdoors and loves to hike and surf!!!!!!!!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Bring a positive attitude and be willing to do everything even if it sounds scary!!
40 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
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
39 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
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!

27 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
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!
30 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
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.
27 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
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.
26 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
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.
26 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers