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Volunteering in Ireland: Get ready to go
Ireland is a destination that will enrich your life experience with its volunteer programmes. Here we tell you everything you need to know.
Doing volunteer work in Ireland or anywhere in the world is enriching, both for you and for the communities you help. In Ireland, particularly, you’ll need to be in good physical condition, as some volunteer work involves building country houses, gardening, and childcare.
To meet all the demands of volunteering in this European country, you must consider key points such as documentation, language skills, and your health condition.
Don’t worry, we know there are several aspects to consider when volunteering abroad. That’s why, here, we’ll clearly show you everything you need to know. From the requirements to the best volunteer programs in Ireland.
Why volunteer in Ireland?
Let’s look at some reasons why volunteering in Ireland offers various benefits, some of which contribute to work experience, personal growth, and others allow you to save money to visit more places.
- Training in health-related topics: Ireland has projects where volunteers collaborate in health campaigns. There, you’ll not only follow instructions but also receive training to perform tasks, gaining experience for both your profession and daily life.
- Learning about types of crops and gardening: programs related to agriculture offer knowledge about crops, vertical gardens, and urban farming. You’ll learn to identify seeds, planting cycles, and composting techniques for creating fertilisers.
- Veterinary knowledge: Volunteering in animal rescue and care gives you a broad understanding of veterinary medication, how to treat wounds, and the necessary care for dogs, cats, and other animals.
Requirements for volunteering in Ireland
To volunteer, there are a series of requirements you need to meet, such as documentation, permits, education, experience, and health condition, which we’ll detail below for you to understand better.
Requirements for European Union citizens or legal residents:
- As a European Union citizen you don’t need a visa, you just need to be between 18 and 30 years old, register for the European Solidarity Corps, and apply for the program that interests you most.
- Passport or ID card.
- Health access: You must present your European Health Insurance Card.
- Residence registration: If the volunteer work lasts more than 90 days, you must register as a resident with the Irish Immigration Service.
Requirements for other nationalities:
- Visa: Depending on your nationality, you may need to check if a Type D visa is required, which allows you to stay in Ireland for more than 90 days.
- Language: Your English or Irish skills must be intermediate/advanced to communicate effectively.
- Passport: It must have a validity of at least one year.
- Motivation letter: In this letter, you must explain your motivations for volunteering in Ireland.
- Health insurance: It’s mandatory to cover any emergencies, medical consultations, and even repatriation in case of accident or death.
- The coverage must be at least €50,000 ($55,000), valid for the duration of the activity, and applicable in Ireland.
- Academic certificates: Some volunteer programs require your academic documents to verify your knowledge in specific areas.
- Criminal background check: This is necessary as most volunteer work involves caring for children, the elderly, or animals.
- Time: Volunteer programs last from 2 to 12 months.
- Age: Volunteers must be between 18 and 30 years old, though there are humanitarian aid programs that extend the age limit to 35 years.
- Internet connection: Ireland has good fixed and mobile coverage. Holafly offers you an eSim for Ireland that provides unlimited data on the days you need, with fast and stable coverage, perfect for short stays. For longer volunteer work, Holafly’s monthly plans are the best option.
Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 170 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍
Best volunteer programs for Ireland
The most prominent volunteer programs in Ireland are related to childcare, elderly care, animal rescue, gardening, and running charity shops. Below, we’ll provide more details about each program.
Gooverseas
This platform connects you with volunteer programs in various countries. In Ireland, it offers the chance to work in community projects with patients, children, and the elderly, including those with special needs and disabilities. Additionally, there are roles in education and the environment.
| Requirements | Duration | What’s included | Price |
| – 18+ years – Intermediate/advanced English – Motivation letter. | Programs last from 2 weeks to 6 months. | Some programs offer accommodation and meals, but it depends on each program. | Prices are around $300 (€270) per week or more. |
Volunteer World
This platform brings together various volunteer programs worldwide in fields such as teaching, environmental conservation, animal rescue, and support for children and people with special conditions.
| Requirements | Duration | What’s included | Price |
| – 18+ years – Basic/intermediate English. | From 2 weeks onwards. | – Accommodation – Meals – Guidance according to the project. | Prices range from $400 ($370) to $1,000 (€960) per month. |
Volunteering Solutions
It offers volunteer opportunities in childcare, community development, marine conservation, and healthcare for patients. Over its nearly 20 years of activity, it has collaborated with NGOs, schools, hospitals, and vulnerable groups.
| Requirements | Duration | What’s included | Price |
| – 18+ years – Intermediate/advanced English – Motivation letter. | Programs last from 2 weeks to 3 months. | – Accommodation with hosts. – Meals. – Support during the volunteering. | From $820 (€780) for 2 weeks. |
Worldpackers
It’s one of the most well-known platforms worldwide for volunteering. Its model is the exchange of voluntary work for accommodation and meals in communities, hostels, or NGOs. Tasks range from managing a café, helping on a farm, to attending to guests’ needs in hotels and hostels.
| Requirements | Duration | What’s included | Price |
| – Basic/intermediate English – 18+ years – Create a profile on the Worldpackers platform. | From 2 weeks to 3 months. | – Accommodation – Meals – Communication through the Worldpackers community. | The membership costs $49 (€44) per year, which is the only payment you need to make. |
Volunteer Ireland
It’s an organisation that promotes volunteer work in Ireland by connecting volunteers with social programs within the country. Their objectives are focused on communities, supporting areas such as health, education, and culture.
| Requirements | Duration | What’s included | Price |
| – Basic/intermediate English (not required). – 18+ years old – Motivation – Depending on the programme, additional requirements may apply. | From 1 day onwards. | – Training from the NGOs. – Some projects offer accommodation or meals. | No cost. |
Types of volunteer projects in Ireland
In Ireland, there are many areas where you can volunteer, as well as places that need volunteers. Some projects focus more on protecting the environment, animals, while others focus on caring for people and assisting in charity shops.
Here, we’ll detail the 4 main types of volunteer projects in Ireland so you can choose the one that best fits your interests.
1. Care for patients with special needs
Volunteer programs in Ireland offer assistance to people with physical or mental disabilities who can still lead an active daily life.
In this case, some projects aim to find people who can accompany patients in various social activities, such as visiting family and friends, dining out, going to the cinema, or helping them with their food, clothing, or hygiene.
A large part of the work will be done alongside the foundation staff, who are trained to teach and professionally assist patients.
The goal is also to help individuals with mobility difficulties move around more easily, working on their mood and emotions through talks and activities. The working hours are typically agreed upon between the hosts and the volunteer, ensuring some leisure time as well.
2. Farm support
Sustainability is a significant issue in Ireland, especially in rural areas, where volunteers are needed to help with planting and creating different types of gardens.
But it’s not just about growing organic food for personal consumption, it’s also about teaching techniques and types of seeds to use for cultivation.
Volunteers should be motivated to learn, with the goal of later training others. Additionally, they’ll need to assist with maintaining the shop and the facilities.
The time and type of work are agreed upon with the host, which allows the volunteer to choose the activity they feel most comfortable with and the amount of time they want to dedicate. However, the ideal situation is that both parties remain flexible, with the main objective being focused on the project.
3. Animal rescue and environmental protection
Here, you’ll go out to rescue animals living in vulnerable conditions, changing their lives. Pigs, goats, dogs, cats, and even birds can be rescued, treated, fed, and protected in different locations across Ireland.
As a volunteer, you’ll commit to maintaining the facilities, walking dogs, and caring for sick animals. This work typically doesn’t exceed three days a week and is generally done during weekdays.
Additionally, you might need to cook, wash dishes, clean other areas, or even engage in gardening and construction tasks to optimise the shelter.
The ideal volunteer for this role should have a love for animals, be aware of the difficult conditions some animals may face, and understand the complexities of their care.
4. Volunteering in charity shops
This work is often complementary to other activities, such as animal rescue or work in eco-centres, requiring only part of the day or week, leaving room for other tasks.
Charity shops typically sell organic products and second-hand items, helping promote the circular economy and recycling. Volunteers may assist with customer service, sorting, and organising displays.
Additionally, you’ll be expected to help with maintaining the spaces, loading and unloading donations that come from different parts of the country.
How much does volunteering in Ireland cost?
Volunteering in Ireland doesn’t require a huge investment, at least not compared to the budget of a typical tourist. Most programs offer benefits such as meals, accommodation, training, and leisure activities.
However, let’s take a closer look at the expenses you should consider when volunteering in Ireland.
- Flights: On average, flights to Ireland range from $600 to $2,000 (€552 – 1,840) depending on your country of departure.
- Programme Cost: The investment required for a volunteering programme can range from free to $1,000 (€920) per month.
- Visa: If you’re not from the European Union, you must invest approximately €65 to €120 ($71 – 131).
- Travel Insurance: This is another necessary investment for volunteering and can cost $50 to $100 per month (€46 – 92) depending on the provider.
- Expenses during the volunteering: Some expenses, such as leisure activities, transport, and meals outside of accommodation, need to be considered. These depend on what you do in your free time, but on average you may spend around $150 per month (€138).
- On average, the total monthly expenses you may have while volunteering in Ireland range from $600 to $1,000 (€552 – 920) once settled.
By immersing yourself in Irish culture with locals, some leisure activities and visits to tourist spots can be free or low-cost, since if you’re working, these expenses are usually covered by the foundations or hosts.
Frequently asked questions about volunteering in Ireland
If you’re from Latin America or outside the EU, apply for a Type C visa for short stays and Type D for longer stays. EU citizens only need their passport for entry.
Volunteering programs can last from 1 day to 2 years, depending on the program.
Rarely do they specify a maximum age limit for volunteering, but the minimum age is 18 years.
Some programs offer participation certificates, which can be very useful for your resume.
No, the purpose of volunteering is not monetary compensation, but rather the exchange of skills and culture while exploring the country or gaining new experiences.
