So you’re heading off for a gap year in Ireland? That’s massive—meaning excellent, in Irish slang! You’re going to have a fantastic time; gap years are exceptional ways to enhance a resumé or grad school application, gain new skills, or simply take a rewarding break!
But what specifically will you get up to in a country with so many wonderful choices? Where will you stay? How will you afford it? You might have all kinds of questions swirling about like the eddies of an Irish tidal pool, so let’s look at some solid ways to make the most of your time.
YES, your gap year in Ireland will obviously feature a few choice pubs. Bottoms up!
Ireland gap year programs offer everything from volunteer opportunities to sightseeing and adventure, to work for hire, to study abroad. What you plan to do while there is certainly open for exploration! But what you do before going is just as important (if not more important, actually!) to ensure that your time abroad is the best it can be.
There’s no reason to be caught off-guard with so many resources available. So, we’ve assembled nine great tips to help you explore your choices and get you toasting a pint of Guinness or a cup of tea in no time!
9 top gap year in Ireland tips
Planning a gap year in Ireland? Keep these tips in your back pocket—as well as some seriously helpful Irish gap year reviews!
1. Decide what kind of gap year you want to take.
With a country offering so many different kinds of opportunities, you will most likely want to do more than just sightseeing during your gap year in Ireland. Do you want to work with animals in Tralee or Kilkenny or while you’re there?
Maybe it’s time for you to expand your musical skills somewhere like Dublin? From taking a position as an au pair, to working holidays, to setting aside some excellent time for soul-searching and self-discovery, you’ll find gap year programs in Ireland that will help you make the right choice. So start researching now!
“Before I decided to intern in Ireland, I was unsure of my next move in life: I felt slightly stuck and stagnant. So when I stumbled upon the opportunity to intern with the Intern Group, I jumped at the chance. It is a decision I will be thanking myself for for many years to come. I was able to apply myself in a new direction and experience new and exciting things with an amazing group of people.” —Emma Campbell, The Intern Group
2. Keep costs down with affordable options for Ireland gap year programs.
If you’re looking for affordable gap year programs, be sure to check these handy resources for 9 low-cost gap year programs in Ireland. Whether you want to work, travel, study, intern, volunteer (or do a little bit of all of the above) you don’t need to let cost be a factor preventing you from having the best possible gap year Ireland experience!
With options ranging from roughly $100 per week and up, there is something for every budget in this list. Some include things like room, board, and in-country travel, bringing your costs down even further! (And if not, we have you covered there too.)
3. Think about the value-adds that gap year programs in Ireland can bring.
It’s one thing to spend $3000 on a program that enriches your life; it’s even better to spend that same amount on a program that not only adds value to your life, but also earns you college credit, leverages your next career move, or builds network opportunities for your nonprofit work. If you think that you’d enjoy spending time abroad on a gap year, Ireland is one of those destinations that is particularly well-equipped to help you maximize the at-home value of your experiences while abroad.
You can’t see this at home, can you?
4. Make a cultural passport for yourself—and catalog your experiences!
No matter what draws you there, you won’t want to miss the extraordinary cultural opportunities available to you as part of your gap year in Ireland! It might be helpful for you to create an Instagram catalog or a virtual document of some other kind to track all the great things you can do while abroad.
Ireland has castles, universities, Gaelic games, contemporary sports leagues, art museums, musical venues, and theatre...just to name a few! Thanks to technology, you can document these experiences easily, and make visual memories for years to come.
“I had my gap year in Ireland and it was an adventure. On weekends, we visited The Cliffs of Moher, Grafton Street, Killarney National Park and Muckross House & Gardens, and my absolute favorite—The Ring of Kerry!!! My co-interns are lovely and fun! I'm happy I took this plunge. Not just a career move, but I seriously had a great time.” —Chae T, Institute For Global Studies
5. Plan to get your beach time in.
Many people think of cold winds and rocky cliffs when they think of the Irish coastline. While that is certainly the case in some areas, don’t underestimate the number of incredible swimming spots and beachy leisure spots that Ireland has to offer. In Ireland, gap year opportunities can bring all kinds of coastal water-based fun.
From the daring Forty Foot near Dublin, to the warm and tranquil waters of the Derrynane in County Kerry, you can find cliff-diving, clear underwater canyons, surfing, and sandy beaches (whichever you prefer) and enjoy some sunshine and surf during your gap year in Ireland.
6. Hit the trails, grab your backpack, and bring your camera!
Ireland gap year programs offer all kinds of opportunities to get outside and create your own adventure. Do you want to engage in backpacking or hiking across the coastline? Are you interested in pursuing some photography adventure opportunities during your stay? With a landscape that is lush, accessible, and largely protected, you can find all kinds of ways to satisfy your wilderness-inspired wanderlust as an adventure traveler in Ireland.
Adventure is waiting for you on your Ireland gap year. Don’t be surprised if you run into a few sheep along the way.
7. Get paid to go to camp—and maybe even ride a horse.
Gap year programs in Ireland include some of the coolest camp job opportunities to be found! One of the more beautiful places for horse-lovers, Ireland has all kinds of camp experiences for those who want to not just spend some time outdoors, but also help others (especially kids) learn to enjoy nature in new and exciting ways.
You can work on a short-term project, spend the summer portion of your Ireland gap year on the coast, or customize some other kind of program that works best for you—but if being outdoors while helping others is your thing, you’re in luck!
8. Take advantage of the opportunity to break the mold.
It might be tempting to go with the traditional choices...you know, that whole pint of beer while reading a well-worn copy of Ulysses in Dublin thing. However, there is so much more to be seen in Ireland!
Yes, there are castles—and you should at least see (if not kiss) the Blarney Stone—but remember to explore the resources available to you that will help you plan some interesting, unusual, and off-the-beaten-path activities as well! For example, why not consider gap year programs in Ireland that include some time in places like Galway? Venture out and explore!
“An experience of a lifetime! CAPA supported me from the moment I applied to the moment I arrived in Ireland. CAPA made me feel safe and kept me engaged and informed while I was in Dublin. Anyone who wants to study and learn about the culture of Dublin is the place to visit.” —Jack Supino, CAPA Dublin
9. Check out some of these best of the best programs!
One smart approach to researching your gap year in Ireland is to check out this list of some of the best programs out there. These providers will help you find the best fit for your needs, interests, budget, housing preferences, and on-the ground support.
With information about average cost, travel needs, and even ratings and testimonials from other gappers who can tell you exactly what to expect, you can do quite a bit of useful research without even leaving your couch. Each gap year experience is different, so be sure to use the resources available to get started!
[Get Matched with 5 Gap Year Programs in Ireland for FREE]
You’re ready for a gap year in Ireland!
A gap year in Ireland is what you make it.
Can you hear the call of the Irish harp? Can you feel the cool winds from the coast against your face? Can you taste the centuries-old Irish specialty of lobster cooked in whiskey and cream? When you’re planning for a gap year, Ireland is full of delicious memories to be made, and the kinds of experiences that will appeal to all of your senses.
Even better, you can boost your professional, educational, and personal skill-set through a variety of programs designed to help you level up through some meaningful travel experiences.
With so much to gain, there’s nothing to hold you back from an exceptional experience! As you review our suggested list, from the type of Ireland gap year you want to take to which program provider will best help you achieve it, you’ll find all kinds of options to make your time as rewarding as possible.
So, before you pack your bags and get your passport and documents ready for travel, make sure you take a bit of time to think through what you want to do and where you want to do it, and let the resources we pulled together help you find the perfect program for you. You’ll soon be on your way. Your gap year in Ireland awaits!
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