The farm store sells produce from local farms to Cork City residents, helping to bridge the gap between urban and rural areas and encouraging the consumption of local, healthy produce in a country where the vast majority of vegetables are imported. Take a gap year and go on thisproject, which relies on the involvement of international volunteers to help them with their farming, farm store and café activities in vibrant and friendly Cork City. This project welcomes volunteers and interns throughout the year.

As with all of our gap year programs, the project in Ireland allows you to validate your year while making a positive and lasting impact on the local community.

Why do an internship in Ireland?

Taking a gap year and going to Ireland offers many advantages: the environment is safe, the culture is friendly, rich in heritage and history. From exciting cities to spectacular countryside, this is a magical place to visit and discover during a cultural and language immersion.

The strengths of the project

– Cultural immersion in Irish life with daily interactions with the local population.

– Multicultural environment with a group of international volunteers.

– Combination of rural and urban environment.

– A very experienced project coordinator, working with volunteers for more than 20 years.

– A variety of activities and learning opportunities, including: Farm work (agricultural activities, gardening, animal care, yogurt making, etc.) Sales and customer relations in the caf.

– Practice of English.

Volunteer tasks

The number of working hours is approximately 35 hours per week with a variable schedule each day. In the summer months, the focus is more on gardening, maintaining the organic garden and surrounding fields, weeding, and much of the day is spent outdoors. During the colder winter months, activities are focused on tree planting, trail maintenance, stone wall maintenance, firewood collection, and the rainy days are devoted to painting, carpentry, woodworking and general house maintenance.

When volunteers arrive, they participate in all types of work. They are then able to decide which ones they prefer and focus on a specific task. However, organizers can rotate volunteers to avoid monotony and give them the opportunity to learn about many aspects of rural life.

Volunteers also have the opportunity to visit the farm’s café, located in downtown Cork. This part of the volunteering is optional, but most volunteers enjoy doing it two days a week. Duties include greeting customers, brewing coffee, selling farm products, and keeping the café clean and tidy. This gives the volunteers an excellent opportunity to practice their English. Transportation to and from the farm is provided. Volunteers also share kitchen and housekeeping duties in the project area.

Duties are varied and depend on the season and weather conditions, and may include:

– Gardening and tree planting.

– Feed the animals.

– Manufacture of yogurt.

-Construction, especially of stone walls.

– Going to farmers’ markets (in Cork) to sell farm products.

– Assisting at the farm cafe in Cork City (making coffee, serving customers, etc).

– Household chores.

Working conditions for volunteers

Volunteers work 4 to 7 hours a day on the project, 5 days a week. They are expected to be proactive during the internship and show initiative. Working on a farm, one must expect to spend time outside, in the sun, rain or cold. Appropriate clothing is therefore essential.

Volunteers have two days off per week. During their free time, they can discover Cork, a friendly and vibrant city with many festivals and cultural events throughout the year. They can also visit the many attractions in County Cork or explore the Wild Atlantic Way which begins in Kinsale, just 30 minutes from Cork.