• Home
• Summercamps
• Gap year travel  
• Faculty lead tours
• Contact


• About Us
• Summer Camp Diary
• Alumni
• Testimonials
• Facebook
• Twitter

about us

Adventure Ireland was formed in 1996 to cater for the many teens and young people who were looking for a way to explore their Irish heritage and culture in a way that would be relevant to them and their generation. Intially a summercamp specialising in Surfing and Adventure sports as well as the cultural aspects.

However demand and repeat business meant we expanded into other areas too, developing third level and gap year programs, and moving to our new campus Donegal Adventure Centre in beautiful unspoilt Bundoran on Ireland's majestic atlantic coast.

Adventure Ireland is approved by the Irish Tourist Board, The Irish American Cultural Institute, North West Tourism & Donegal Tourism.
Directors Niamh Hamill and Collie Mac Phaidin are both winners of the Irish Tourist Board’s ‘Welcome Ireland’ Award. Adventure Ireland is now a year round organisation dealing with domestic and international schools and colleges as well as our famous Summer camp programs for teens which are better then ever.

ADVENTURE IRELAND – Who’s who?

Niamh Hamill B.Ed M.A – Director of Studies, Adventure Ireland.
Niamh (pronounced NEEVE) Hamill, is the director of the Adventure Ireland programs. Niamh is a teacher of 20 years experience and is currently a taking a PhD in Irish-American Culture. Niamh is currently based at Drew University, New Jersey, and can be contacted anytime by interested parents, faculty or students at 1-973-610-5125.
Niamh is responsible for the curriculum of the Adventure Ireland programs, a task she has enjoyed immensely since the program began in 1996. Niamh puts together an awesome Summer Camp for High School students, and makes sure that there is an excellent mix of cultural class time, field trips and tours, some guided overnight travel to other parts of Ireland, some sports, dance, adventure, mingling with students from Ireland and Europe, and a genuine and authentic experience for those wishing to explore Irish Culture and their Irish roots. Parents and campers may contact her anytime at info@adventure-ireland.com or call 1-973-610-5125 and discuss the Adventure Ireland Summercamp.

Niamh also arranges the curricula for Faculty lead programs. As these are usually customised, interested faculty should speak to Niamh about the kind of program they would enjoy. We have had many colleges and universities from the USA base some or all of an overseas trip with us. We have delivered full programs, and we have facilitated the relocation of faculty classes here in Ireland.

Typical programs for College groups include emphasis on

1:Sports Programs (Surfing, Kayaking, Gaelic Sports, Lifeguarding, Hillwalking, Adventure Activities)

2: Literature Programs
We are located beside Yeats County, close to the W. B. Yeats grave at Drumcliff and the magnificent hinterland of Glencar, Lissadell, Inisfree and Ben Bulben, much associated with both W.B and Jack Yeats (Painter.) The West of Ireland provides a magnificent setting for studies in Anglo-Irish Literature, and we offer classes and cultural field trips on a variety of Irish writers, including Brian Friel, Patrick Kavanagh, Seamus Heaney, & many more. We can also combine literary classes with film studies, Arts & Irish Music.

3: History/ Culture/Politics
Irish political history is a fascinating subject, in particular the recent Peace Process, Anglo-Irish agreement, and social change in Northern Ireland. Visits to Bellfast, Stormont, Derry City, Eniskillen, and the border towns now provide excellent research and study opportunities for students. Classes in political and social history can be arranged, with local and well-known guest speakers.

Collie Mac Phaidin – Managing Director, Adventure Ireland
The legendary Collie is director of the program, and based full time at the Adventure Ireland campus in Donegal. Collie is renowned among generations of Adventure Ireland alumni for his irrepressible sense of humour, his excellent tours and classes and his attention to individuals. Collie ensures that every single visitor to Adventure Ireland, be it summer camper or college student or travelling Professor – every person who comes to us is well taken care of. You’ll be hearing about Collie for a long time!

Ken Keane Director of Operations
Ken is our Directors of Operations, and his job is to make sure that all the sports, water sports etc are supervised to the correct ratio, that all staff are fully trained and briefed, and that all activities are safe and well run.

Trisha Corr- Administration and Student Care. Trish is responsible for the well being of all our visitors, including arrangements for collection at airports, all food plans and rooming arrangements, any special dietary or health issues, liaison with parents/teachers/faculty, medical issues, wellbeing and comfort.

Ciara O’ Shea Financial Administrator
Ciara take care of the fee schedules and payment details of our participants. She can help organisers with all pre-travel information, paperwork, visa and airline arrangements, application forms and payment plans. Ciara can be contacted directly at office@donegaladventurecentre.net.

Marion Doherty -Director of Housekeeping
Marion and her great team keep the accommodation and facilities spotlessly clean. Marion takes care of all housekeeping, and ensures an excellent standard of hygiene and cleanliness in all areas- student accommodation, recreation rooms, changing rooms and classrooms. Marion also keeps an eye on how our visitors are taking care of themselves, - her motherly radar misses nothing!