Volunteer in Ireland

An Ireland volunteer experience is a truly unforgettable way to explore the rich and diverse local culture as well as travelling with a difference. Whether volunteering abroad for the first time or as a returning VolSol alumnus, we can help kickstart your volunteering journey in Ireland today! If you’re looking to make a lasting impact on our volunteer programs in Ireland and truly become a global citizen, our teams are ready for you to get in touch and help find the perfect volunteering opportunity for you. 

The ‘how’ in how to volunteer abroad in Ireland is a pretty simple process that our team can guide you through. The hard part is choosing a program that you want to get involved in! Our Ireland volunteer programs offer a breadth of opportunities to work with those in need of the support and contributions you can offer. We have two different locations, Clonmel and Cork.

If community development volunteer work is what you are looking for, Ireland is perfect for you! Our 3 programs are centred around community work and making a difference locally through different projects! Our Cork project centres around enriching the local community and supporting different institutions, such as charity shops, the tourist office, local events, and care for the elderly. You’ll be able to choose where you work to best suit your skills! 

Clonmel offers programs with two different volunteer organisations in Ireland for you to get stuck into! One such program is the Charity Shop Volunteering program. You’ll be able to work with one of the largest charitable organisations in Ireland by assisting in the shop. The work you will carry out will be to maintain the shop floor, provide sales assistance, shop merchandising, and maintain cleanliness and tidiness! You’ll also sort through donations to ensure their suitability to be put onto the shop floor, as well as organising them. 

For our more creative volunteers, our Volunteer in Arts Projects would be a perfect fit! Also based in Clonmel, you’ll be assisting local charities carry out their art workshops and enriching the local community! You will support administrative work, social media campaigns and work on marketing the project! This would be a fantastic opportunity for youth volunteering in Ireland and gain valuable practical experience. 

Have we piqued your interest? Good! Are you ready to get started? Even better! Volunteering in Ireland is only a few clicks away; choose your program, click ‘Apply Now’, complete the registration process, and let us take care of the rest. Get in touch with us today for more information on how we can make your volunteering experience in Ireland unforgettable. 

Volunteering Solutions offers a wide range of programs in over 25 destinations worldwide. In the last 17 years, we have placed over 21,000 international volunteers across various projects and internships, helping them grow personally and professionally while making a difference to the world at large. We’ve hosted teen volunteering groups as well as gap year travellers, youth volunteers as well as family volunteering groups across various destinations.

Not only do we have our experience, but we have many accreditations that attest to our excellence in the field as well as our legitimacy as a volunteering experience coordinator. We are approved by WYSE Work Abroad, Go Overseas, and many other accreditors for volunteering abroad organisations. 

We have a dedicated team that ensures that volunteers have a smooth and memorable experience, learning from their peers along the way. From the moment you inquire, through the process of clearing doubts, filling out the application, making payments, accessing the Pre-Departure Guidebook, and reaching the volunteering location followed by Program Orientation – our team supports you every step of the way. We have in-country coordinators and representatives to assist you at the project sites.

Additionally, Volunteering Solutions offers various support services, including:

• Medical and travel insurance at a nominal extra cost
• Fundraising assistance for volunteers facing financial challenges
• Weekend excursions in Ireland
• Local transportation and airport drop-offs for a minimal extra cost

Upon completing your project, you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion, which will significantly enhance your career prospects. This experience will boost your CV/resume and expand your social network. It’s a journey you’ll cherish forever.

Volunteering Solutions also provides tailor-made projects for group volunteering (students, colleagues, or families) where people can work together and explore Ireland most uniquely.

Ireland, the Emerald Isle, famous for its lush scenery, rolling hills, and dramatic coastlines, can also be called home for a short while by you. Our Ireland volunteer programs are based in Cork and Clonmel in the south of the island. 

Cork is Ireland’s second city, and is a thriving town, with commerce and financial institutions finding their European headquarters there. It is a greatly metropolitan place, with food markets and art galleries to enjoy! WIth many different traditional pubs and other charming eateries abound, you will almost certainly find something to fill your time each weekend! 

If you’re looking for a volunteer experience in Ireland somewhere a little quieter, CLionmel is the place for you! An historic town in the beautiful county of Tipperary, Clonmel is full to the brim with architecture from days gone by, and artefacts from the past. A warm welcome to any hopeful volunteer. 

In Ireland, we have three options. Here’s what’s on offer:

• Community Development Project, Cork, Ireland
• Charity Shop Volunteering, Clonmel, Ireland
• Volunteer in Art Projects, Clonmel, Ireland 

Think you could be a great addition to our team? Let us know if you fulfil the following requirements! 

- Be at least 18 years or older at the time of joining the project.

- Have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment.

- Should also be proactive and can take initiative.

- Should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.

- Should be open to learning, and be friendly with everyone.

Apart from that, a Criminal Background Check Report is essential for volunteers who are joining Childcare, or Teaching programs. And you should be empathic towards the animals if you want to volunteer for wildlife conservation programs.

Our projects start from £1369 in Ireland! Here’s what comes as standard:

• Pre-departure Information guide and support
• Pickup in Cork
• First night in hostel in Cork City
• Transfer to Project
• All Meals except lunch on arrival day
• Accommodation in Host Family or at Project
• Orientation with local staff
• Ongoing support from project mentor
• Local staff support and coordination
• Travel and Medical Insurance (available at an extra cost)
• Certificate Of Completion 

Like everywhere else around the world, volunteering in Ireland comes for a minimal fee, which also covers your airport pickup, accommodation, and pre-departure booklet that contains all the information to get you started on your volunteering journey! Other than that, you'll also be provided with meals, pick up and drop from the project site to your accommodation, and most importantly, there will be 24/7 in-country support.

However, you can always fundraise to pay for your meaningful volunteer trip and experience the goodness of travelling abroad to make a difference.

We have had volunteer programs in Ireland for nearly 17 years! Since our inception in 2007, we have sent over 21,000 volunteers to over 25 destinations across the world! We have much experience in providing unforgettable volunteering experiences across the world, and our excellence in the field is a testament to that!

We know what volunteers look for regarding safety and security during their stay. All of our accommodation is located in safe areas, with 24/7 support from VolSol staff. You will be provided with a full orientation about the country, the city, and the local area to ensure you are as best informed as you can be! 

Our pre-departure booklet provides comprehensive information about the do’s and don’ts of the area, and how best to respect the cultures and traditions of your destination of choice! 

Whilst far from the capital, Dublin, both Cork and Clonmel have many of the amenities you would expect from any city! However, here’s some essentials we think you shouldn’t go without: 

• A good quality raincoat. Depending on the season, you may want this coat to be a thick winter jacket! However, it is also essential to pack a raincoat during the summer months. A sturdy umbrella is also an essential! The West Atlantic winds can be strong! 
• Warm layers! This is essential all year round. A good woolly jumper and some long sleeve tops are always a good idea considering the Irish weather. The isle has to stay emerald someway! 
• A comfortable pair of walking boots. The south coast is full of hidden gems and stunning scenery, and it would be a shame to miss out on this because you didn't want to get your shoes muddy! 

Ireland is an unrivalled destination all year round, but if you’re sensitive to the cold, winter may not be the time to go! Ireland has 4 seasons, with late autumn to early spring being the coldest time to go (November to March).

Late spring to summer is the most ideal time to go! The sun sets a lot later, meaning more daylight hours to enjoy the beauty around you. The island comes to life at this time, with rolling hills and lush green plains for which the island got its nickname suddenly become the only focal point! The summer also sees many cultural and art festivals, giving you a plenitude of events to get stuck into. 

That being said, our programs are open throughout the year, so you can join when it suits you! 

We welcome volunteers from all over the world and different walks of life! We firmly believe that diversity and inclusion can only make the world a better place. We want to champion global citizens with an international vision and a deep commitment to the betterment of our society. Our volunteers should be compassionate, enthusiastic about change, diligent, and open-minded. 

Our projects cater to group volunteering in Ireland, as well as family volunteering groups, student volunteering, gap year travellers, as well as teenage travellers looking to expand their horizons. 

You can easily apply to volunteer in Ireland and be a part of our mission trips by following a few simple steps. Once you have decided which program you wish to join, and in which destination, you can go ahead and fill out the application form here.

You will receive a welcome email from the team, acknowledging your application. We will then send your Booking Confirmation in 7-10 working days. Once you receive your Booking Confirmation you can log into your account to view your trip details and make your final payments.

If you can’t decide which program to join, or where to travel, you can always write to us at [email protected] - and our Program Advisors will assist you.

Before travelling to Ireland, please ensure that you meet the following general requirements: 

• Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your expected return date.
• Ensure your passport has at least two blank pages for your visa and other necessary stamps upon arrival and departure.

Most European countries, the USA, Canada, Australia and Japan do not require a visa. You can check the requirements by clicking here. 

Short-term volunteering in Ireland is possible, if you consider a minimum stay of 3 weeks as short-term! You will have a great many opportunities during this time to explore the area and get to know the locals, traditions, and wider culture well. 

Hoping to volunteer in Ireland for over a month? We can help with that! Our projects have a maximum length of 12 weeks, so you can start off your travels with us and move on to your next adventure! You can also pick more than one project whilst you’re there! You can start off in Cork, and end in Clonmel, or the other way around. 

Worried that you’ll get bored after a while? We can assure you that there is no way this will happen, especially not in a country as welcoming and vibrant as Ireland! You can spend the afternoons after work strolling through the town, or out in the great outdoors, inspired by the lush rolling hills around you! You can soak up the local history by visiting the many monuments and landmarks that bejewel Ireland. 

Want to know more about what trips are available to you? Just email [email protected] for more information on this! 

Of course, when you are travelling to a new country, it’s obvious that you’d want to explore and experience the area, making the most of your journey. 

Ireland is a treasure trove of UNESCO world heritage sites, historical landmarks, breathtaking landscapes, and many hidden gems of modern living in Ireland. You will spend Monday to Friday on-site working on our programs. The evenings and weekends are free to do as you please! 

When in Cork, you can enjoy the convenience and ease of city life whilst also enriching yourself with the historical and cultural wealth around you!  If you're a shopaholic, then this is gonna be a treat for you! St. Patrick Street is lined with a variety of stores and has become one of the main shopping areas in the downtown neighbourhood.

Charles Fort is just a stone’s throw away, located on the water’s edge, at the southern end of the village of Summer Cove, on Kinsale Harbour, County Cork, Ireland. James’ Fort is located on the other side of the harbour. Charles Fort is built on the site of an earlier stronghold known as Ringcurran Castle, which featured prominently during the Siege of Kinsale in 1601.

Being on the south coast means that you can also visit the most southerly point of Ireland! The bracing Atlantic coast is a sight to behold, and Mizen Head is no different! The dramatic cliffs would leave anyone in awe! 

Finally, the most famous of them all is the Blarney Castle. This ancient seat of power was built almost six hundred years ago by the Chieftain Cormac McCarthy. It is also home to the famous Blarney Stone, which is said to bestow the gift of eloquence on anyone who kisses it! A must-see.