Adventure Ireland SEMESTERS IN IRELAND offers 10-12 week semesters for U.S students to specialise in Sports qualification as part of a study abroad programme.
This is a new incentive which has been set up to allow students and college study abroad programmes to avail of an intensive programme of outdoor sports to complement their Kinesiology or sports degrees.


Adventure Ireland is currently running a FETAC approved outdoor instructor training course. Fetac is ‘Further Education and training Awards Council’ , and all recognised educational programmes are approved by FETAC. Adventure Ireland is now working towards liaising with US colleges in order to offer this semester as part of US courses in Sports.


The qualifications offered in this twelve-week semester include an Irish Surf Association level 1 coach award,
a RLSS Beach Lifeguard Award,
An Irish Canoe Union Coach award,
Training in Outdoor Leadership Skills,
Outdoor Management,
A Recognised First Aid award and training in outdoor activities including rappelling, climbing, team building and adventure pursuits. Also included is a child protection course, and intensive hands-on experience in working with children and adults in the area of outdoor sports.



Tara McDonald, Scotland & Kate Maroney, California
enjoying some night time belaying

This course is an ideal opportunity for students to travel abroad, and to enjoy a cultural immersion experience in one of Ireland’s most scenic outdoor areas. The Training centre is located in Bundoran, Ireland’s surf capital, and this area is ideal for intensive experience in outdoor pursuits.

Students will not only have a terrific cultural experience, but an intensive and physical semester which will see them gain world-recognised qualifications in Surfing, Lifeguarding, Canoeing and Outdoor management. They will also gain experience in working alongside trainers and fully qualified staff in delivering excellent outdoor experiences.


Director Niamh Hamill is currently consulting with interested Universities and Colleges who are already offering sports course as part of their curriculum.Niamh will be visiting the USA in August and November ’07, and January-March ’08 to set up these programmes for Fall ’08 onwards.
Interested persons should contact Niamh at info@adventure-ireland.com Courses can be adapted in terms of length and qualifications to suit the needs of specific groups.
Individual students are also welcome to join on semester programmes: open programmes have been running since Fall ’06. Students should visit www.gapyearireland.com

The Semester
Students will spend the first week in an immersion programme, which includes an introduction to Ireland, Irish culture, history, sociology and current affairs. Accommodation is provided on-campus, and our staff provides workshops on the above subjects. Students will be fully equipped with necessary items for their sports courses, including a winter wetsuit, surfboards, canoes, skateboards, outdoor clothes and bags.
The next ten weeks will see students in class from 10am-5pm each day. Each morning, they will train as surf and kayak coaches, and afternoons will be spent in class, working on Outdoor Leadership Skills, Child Protection, First Aid, Risk Assessment, Activity planning, Safety and Operational discipline & other relevant material.

At the end of the course, the following world-recognised governing bodies will assess students:
The Irish Surf Association: Surf Coach Level 1 Award
The Royal Life Saving Society: Beach Lifeguard Award
St Johns Ambulance: Occupational First Aid Award
British Canoe Union: 3* Kayak award.

Adventure Ireland will submit modules on Outdoor Leadership, Adventure Activities & Instructor training to each specific college for accreditation by the College. These modules are already approved buy Fetac, the Irish Awards Council, so it is likely that accreditation should be easily approved.
Additional courses include Child Protection, provided by the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC)
Written work includes weekly assignments and written examinations at the end of the semester. All of this will be submitted to participating colleges for approval and accreditation.