Europe Gap Year; American Football in Ireland
Program Overview
2026 Fall - September 27th start date / 2027 Spring - Feb 14th start date
Cost: 11 weeks £13,500 / 8 weeks £10,000 - scholarships available
8 week structured program in Portrush on Ireland's north coast
- Stay for 11 weeks and explore across Scotland
- Train and coach with the Causeway Giants
- Deliver football sessions in local schools
- Experience Irish culture and travel around the island
- After the 8-week program, you can continue your adventure in Scotland
What You'll Do
- Train with the Causeway Giants
- Coach and mentor younger players
- Deliver football sessions in local schools
- Help grow American football in Ireland
- Earn an official coaching qualification
- Make a community impact
- Explore Ireland and Scotland
Life in Portrush
- Live with students from our other programs in town centre, overlooking the ocean and opposite train station
- Walking distance to beaches, cafés, shops and pubs
- Surfboard, wetsuit and e-bike included
- Friendly seaside town with a great community
- Traditional Irish music and local nightlife
- Built-in social life with other students
- Portrush quickly feels like home, giving you the freedom to explore while making lifelong friends
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Jump to the full breakdown of dates, costs, eligibility, and more.
Program Highlights
What's Included
Quick Details
- Post High School
- During College
- After College
- Adventure Travel
- Experiential Learning
- Self-Discovery
- Sports
Updated Jul 15, 2026
Program Details
Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know
Locations
- Derry, Ireland
- Donegal, Ireland
- Belfast, Northern Ireland
- Derry, Northern Ireland
- Portrush, Northern Ireland
- Belfast, United Kingdom
Available Terms / Availability
- Years Offered
- 2026, 2027
Eligible Nationalities
- All Nationalities
- This Program is also open to Couples
Education Levels & Language
- Language
- English
- Education
- University Freshman (1st Year)
- University Sophomore (2nd Year)
- University Junior (3rd Year)
- University Senior (4th Year)
- High School Senior (4th Year)
- No schooling completed
- High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (for example: GED)
- Some college credit, no degree
- Trade/technical/vocational training
- Associate degree
- Bachelor’s degree
Accommodation Options
- Apartment/Flat
- Group living
Application Procedures
- Phone/Video Interview
- Online Application
Age Requirement
18-25
Duration
- Post High School
- During College
- After College
Starts At
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FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to all the most common questions about Europe Gap Year.
Where do I fly into?
You will fly into Dublin airport where you will be met by Europe Gap Year program leaders.
Where do we stay and where will we travel too?
The majority of the program will be based in the beautiful coastal town of Portrush in Northern Ireland. From here, you will visit Derry, Belfast, Donegal, Dublin, and more.
What is the accomodation like?
The accommodation is apartment style where you will share a bedroom with a fellow gap year student. It is 20s from the train station and walking distance from everything in town including shops, cafes, bars and two beaches.
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