School Groups in Ireland · Ages 7+
Bring your students to Ireland
AGE
7+
Availability
Year-round
DESTINATIONS
Dublin & Drogheda
PROGRAMME OPTIONS
English Classes or Activity-Only
A school trip built around your group
More than visiting a new country
A school trip abroad should give students something they cannot get from an ordinary week at school. It is a chance to experience a new culture, become more confident away from home, communicate with people from different backgrounds and discover Ireland together.
At ELI Schools, we bring the practical elements together so schools can focus on the educational experience. Programmes can combine accommodation, airport transfers, cultural activities, excursions, student support and, depending on the package selected, English classes.
Choose your programme
What do you want your students to experience?
Both programme options are designed for school groups and can be adapted around your dates, group profile, interests and objectives.
English Classes Package
Learn English where it is actually spoken
Combine structured English classes with accommodation, cultural activities, excursions and everyday life in Ireland. Students develop their English in class and then have opportunities to use it naturally throughout the programme.
Best for: Schools looking for an English immersion experience with cultural and social elements.
Activity-Only Package
Discover Ireland beyond the classroom
A fully organised cultural programme for schools that want to experience Ireland without adding English-language tuition. Students explore Irish culture, history and everyday life through sightseeing, workshops, sports, social activities and excursions.
Best for: Schools looking for a cultural, educational and social trip without classroom lessons.
A programme that starts with what your school needs
1
Choose your programme type
Select English classes package or activity-only package.
2
Choose your dates
Plan the trip around your academic calendar.
3
Choose your destination
Experience Dublin or Drogheda.
4
Choose your accommodation
Select from the options available for your destination and group profile.
5
Choose your experiences
Build the itinerary around culture, sport, history, social activities and excursions.
A different kind of classroom
Ireland becomes part of the experience
Students learn differently when they are somewhere new.
Culture and history
Museums, historic sites, local heritage and Irish traditions.
Sports and creative activities
Team experiences, Irish sports and recreational activities.
City experiences
Walking tours, cultural visits and time discovering the destination together.
Social activities
Group challenges, workshops and shared experiences outside the academic programme.
Excursions
Explore Ireland beyond the school campus through coastal walks, historic towns and full-day trips.
Support your school can rely on
Clear structure from arrival to departure
Organising a group abroad means coordinating much more than activities. Our team supports schools with the practical details of the programme and provides clear points of contact throughout the stay.
Programme coordination
Your itinerary and main services are organised before arrival.
Student support
ELI teams are available during the programme to help with practical questions and student welfare.
Group leader support
Group leaders receive clear programme information and a direct emergency contact.
24-hour emergency support
A duty manager is reachable throughout the group’s stay.
Student welfare comes first
Standards schools and families can understand
Safeguarding is built into the way our school group programmes operate.
Vetted staff
Teachers, activity guides and approved host families hold current An Garda Síochána vetting.
Safeguarding training
Staff working with student groups complete mandatory Child Safeguarding and Protection training.
Supervision
Guided activities operate with a maximum ratio of one ELI staff member to 18 students.
Class sizes
Where English classes are selected, classes have a maximum of 18 students per teacher.
A comfortable base for the group
Stay in Dublin or Drogheda
Accommodation options depend on the destination, age of the students, programme dates and availability.
Host families — Dublin & Drogheda
Students experience everyday Irish life while staying with inspected host families. In Dublin, students should expect journeys of up to approximately 45 minutes. In Drogheda, many families are within walking distance or around 20 minutes away.
Group accommodation
Drogheda Hostel
Drogheda Hostel — Drogheda
A group accommodation option in the centre of Drogheda, approximately five minutes from ELI Schools.
150 beds
4–8 bed dormitories and twin rooms
Private bathrooms
Central location
Around 30 minutes from Dublin Airport
Two different ways to live in Ireland
Study in Dublin or Drogheda
DUBLIN
Live in a vibrant international capital
Experience a city filled with culture, music, events and professional opportunities.
DROGHEDA
Experience a more local side of Ireland
Settle into a historic riverside town with a welcoming atmosphere, a more relaxed pace and easy access to Dublin
Trusted by schools
See what the experience feels like from the other side
Ready to explore the options?
Request my group proposal
Share your group's details and an ELI advisor will follow up with a tailored proposal — including a suggested programme, accommodation options and a clear breakdown of what is included.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The questions schools and group leaders ask most often before booking.
What ages can join?
School Group programmes are available for students aged 7+.
When are School Group programmes available?
School Group programmes are available year-round, allowing schools to organise their visit at the time that best fits their academic calendar and group needs.
Can we choose between Dublin and Drogheda?
Yes. Both destinations are available for school groups.
What is the difference between the two packages?
The English Classes Package combines English tuition with the wider group experience. The Activity-Only Package focuses on culture, activities and excursions without English lessons. If English development is a main objective, explore the English Classes Package; if the priority is cultural immersion, explore the Activity-Only Package.
Can we customise the programme?
Yes. Dates, destination and selected programme elements can be adapted around the group’s needs and interests.
Is accommodation available?
Yes. Accommodation options depend on destination, dates and group profile.
Can airport transfers be arranged?
Yes. Airport transfers can form part of the group package.
Start building your school trip to Ireland
Choose your dates, destination and the kind of experience you want your students to have. We will help you turn it into a programme built around your group.
