The Irish Arts and Culture Program

The Irish Gap Year wad incredibly positive and life changing expirience for me. I learned many skills that I will carry with me for the rest of my life, met many fantastic people and just had a great time overall. The staff is very helpful and always supportive of the program's participants at all times. The activites were very fun and engaging. I can confidently say that I came out of this program a changed man, and that is not something that I can say about most other programs I've been in throughout my life.

I had the absolute best time of my life on this program. From meeting lifelong friends to growing as a human and an artist this program has changed the way I’ll think about culture, history, art and people forever!! All the roommates including mine were very well chosen. The dynamics of all the houses were always on point. The pubs in Bundoran are lovely and safe with lots of families around. Although, the time spent in the Portbeg Holiday Homes are much more memorable. The dynamic between the group is always an amazing mix of casual time and fun outings. The staff and teachers were so caring and supportive throughout the whole program. I use a motorized scooter for my physical disability so coming across a program that supports that is quite rare. Not only did they plan accessible trips and accessible restaurants they purchased with their own money a ramp for the van we use everyday. Never once did any of them make me feel like a hassle or “too much”, as some past programs I’ve done have. The staff also bought us groceries every week based off a list we created and got us medicine from their own pockets when we were sick. One of my fondest memories is Jules ( part of the staff), making me breakfast while I was sick in bed. It’s these smalls things that IGY does that makes Bundoran feel like home.

I love my time on this program! I meet some of the most amazing people on the world. The program itself was amazing. I did the arts program and i feel the the balance of art a free time was perfect and i never got burnout. Bundoran is a great town aswell they had such cute cafes, restaurants, theme parks, and really fun pubs. The housing was also great they did a really good job at arranging the rooming situations. the rooms are really big and same with the kitchens and living rooms. the staff is really nice and was always there to help with whatever you need whenever you need it. Overall i had a really good time compared to other art programs ive done in europe this one is DEFINITELY my favorite.

This program was a great way to start your travel journey. It was a really good introduction to traveling in Europe and the UK. If you are looking to do more traveling alone Or with others it is a great way to start. Bundoran was a super cute place to live for 3 months and I would definitely return. The pubs are great with live music and culture. Bundoran is a hot spot for Irish people the come visit so you will meet lots of people. The program leaders and art tutors are amazing and incredibly supportive with anything you might want or need. Overall I had a great 10 weeks and would 100% do it again.

Honestly I think my experience here on Irish Gap Year was something I’ll take with me for the rest of my life. The people, the place, the staff, everything was pretty perfect. It was nice to slow down and fully take in all that’s around you. I feel like this program gave that to me. I was in the Art program segment of it and it was just what I needed. I don’t have much of an art background but the tutors were so helpful and helped me discover what makes art, art. The town itself was really beautiful and it was easy to make this town feel like home.

I loved my time in Irish Gap year. I was part of the Arts program and I feel that my artistic ability and talent has grown as well as meeting incredible artists and being around people who shared the same mindset helped me create lasting bonds. I enjoyed being in a house with people from both Adventure and the Art program being around a diverse net of people has helped me expand social skills as well prepare me for living with others in college. This program has helped me to live with others in harmony as well as expand my creative prowess.

The local artisans and workshops allowed a full, free exploration of the myriad of ways to be a creative. I learned a lot from each of the tutors and completed many works on a scale I had not thought myself capable of before this program. The town itself is full of constantly beautiful landscapes and inspiration, and the community felt close and safe for the majority of the program. This program is an excellent fit for someone who truly wants to grow and connect to others, but it is still challenging.

I had an amazing time at IGY! I grew so much as a person, made amazing relationships, and improved greatly as an artist. The leaders are so friendly and helpful. The art tutors are phenomenal and incredibly inspiring. The roommates and housemates they matched me with were perfect and I will carry those relationships with me forever. I learned how to be more independent and responsible living on my own. Bundoran is a great town with friendly people. I will never forget my experience. Thank you Ryan.