Glendalough Youth Hostel

Glendalough Hostel is in a truly magical location. We are situated right on the Wicklow Way walking trail and beside the beautiful Wicklow Mountains National Park. On one side, you’ll see the ancient round tower from the old monastic site. On the other, forest paths lead through a peaceful glacial valley to the remains of a quiet historic village.

It's a calm and welcoming place surrounded by nature, with lots of great walks and amazing scenery right at the doorstep.

If you love hill walking, peaceful surroundings, and breathtaking scenery, Glendalough is the perfect destination for your next adventure.

We are an international hostel set in the heart of the beautiful Glendalough Valley in County Wicklow. This is just one hour south of Dublin city, yet it is surrounded by peaceful countryside, mountains, and forest trails. Our hostel has 25 rooms, sleeping up to 130 guests. Each room includes its own private bathroom, and we welcome travellers from all over the world. We aim to create an environment of mutual respect between volunteers, staff, and guests. Volunteers can expect to be treated fairly, kindly, and as part of the team. We do our best to accommodate your needs where possible and encourage open communication to help everyone feel comfortable and supported during their stay. As a volunteer, you’ll become part of a friendly, multicultural team. We usually have around 8 to 14 volunteers here at a time (sometimes more in summer, a little fewer in winter😊), so it’s a great opportunity to make friends from across the globe. Volunteers often cook meals together, explore the national park, share music or stories in the evenings, and many stay in touch long after their time here. We ask for 15 hours of help per week (usually 3 hours per day, 5 days per week), in return for free accommodation and breakfast. Most of the work involves helping with the daily cleaning of bedrooms, bathrooms, public areas, kitchens, and reception. You’ll typically work from 10:30am to 1:30pm, which leaves the rest of your day free to explore. On occasion, we host large groups and may ask for help in the kitchen during meal times (breakfast, lunch, or dinner), but this is not a regular part of the role. Weekends are our busiest time, so days off usually fall during the week. You’ll always get two days off, though they may not be consecutive. While lunch and dinner are not included, we have two fully equipped kitchens for volunteer use. When we’re catering for guest groups, volunteers are invited to join for dinner. There’s a small grocery shop nearby, and a local link bus runs to the town of Wicklow for bigger shops. There’s also a Glendalough bus to Dublin, perfect for day trips on your days off. Volunteers share rooms with other Workawayers (we’re unable to offer private rooms for couples), and all bed linen and towels are provided. You’ll also have access to a laundry room for personal use. We offer free Wi-Fi in the common areas, where you’ll also find comfy sofas, this offers a perfect spot to relax, read, or chat with fellow travellers. As well as this, our volunteers are welcome to enjoy a complimentary night in our partner hostel, Knockree. This is located in the beautiful Glencree Valley and gives volunteers the opportunity to take a break and explore a different part of the picturesque Wicklow Mountains! The work is not difficult, but it does require people who don’t mind getting their hands dirty and who take pride in keeping things clean and welcoming for our guests. We also ask that you complete the full time period we agree on when you apply. A working visa is required for non-European citizens. In return, you’ll gain much more than just a free place to stay—you’ll join a community. You’ll meet amazing people while exploring one of Ireland’s most beautiful regions and experience the peaceful rhythm of life in Glendalough.