Clubs Beyond Sport: Music, Drama, Debating and more, in Irish Schools

Sport is highly visible in Irish schools, but it is only one part of the picture.

For high school study abroad students, some of the most rewarding experiences often happen in music rooms, assembly halls, classrooms after school, and rehearsal spaces. Clubs focused on music, drama, debating, and other interests give students the chance to try something new, meet likeminded people or those outside their usual circle, and get more out of everyday school life in Ireland.

Within a few weeks, most exchange students have found their feet academically. This is often the point where they feel ready to say yes to opportunities they might not have considered at home.

Why clubs matter for international students in Ireland

Clubs are where school starts to feel less formal.

They sit somewhere between lessons and free time, which makes them easier to enjoy. You are still in school, still with teachers, but the pressure is different. People talk more. They relax. They get to know each other in a way that does not always happen in class.

For students, clubs add variety to the school week.

For parents, they offer something reassuring: structure, supervision, and a healthy routine beyond homework.

Most Irish school clubs are open to anyone who wants to give them a proper try. Talent matters far less than turning up and getting involved.

Music in Irish schools: choirs, ensembles and traditional sessions

Music plays a strong role in many Irish secondary schools, and students do not need a formal background to take part.

Across our partner schools, music clubs commonly include:

• School choirs open to all year groups

• Small instrumental ensembles

• Informal traditional music sessions

• Seasonal concerts and school events

  
  

At Bandon Grammar School, music is embedded in school life through choir and instrumental opportunities that welcome new students during the year. At Alexandra College, music forms part of a broad co-curricular programme, with choirs and performance groups that include students with varying experience levels. At Sligo Grammar School, students regularly participate in ensemble and performance-based music activities alongside academic study.

Several of our partner schools work closely with local music education initiatives, including Music Generation, meaning students may benefit from visiting tutors, group tuition, or supported ensemble work as part of the wider school offering.

Music clubs are particularly popular with international students because they allow participation from the first rehearsal, without needing advanced language skills.

Drama clubs and school productions

Drama in Irish schools tends to be practical rather than polished.

Rehearsals are busy, sometimes noisy, occasionally chaotic. That is part of the appeal. Students learn by doing, whether they are acting, helping backstage, or figuring out lighting five minutes before rehearsal starts.

Within our partner schools, drama activities usually lead to:

• Annual school plays or musicals

• Involvement in local or regional drama festivals

• A mix of performance and technical roles

  
  

At St Gerard’s Senior School, drama has long been part of the school’s co-curricular life, with students involved across performance and production roles. At Mountmellick Community School, school productions bring together students from different year groups, including those who joined the school partway through the year. At Presentation Boarding School Thurles, drama and performance contribute to the wider cultural life of the school community.

For many exchange students, drama becomes a highlight. Rehearsals give structure to the week, and performances give a sense of shared achievement that stays with students long after the curtain comes down.

Debating and public speaking in Irish schools

Debating has a strong tradition in Irish education, and it is taken seriously as a skill.

That does not mean it is only for confident speakers.

Across our partner schools, debating clubs focus on:

• Learning how to structure an argument

• Listening carefully and responding clearly

• Speaking in front of others without unnecessary pressure

  
  

At CBS Westland Row, debating is part of a wider culture of discussion and civic engagement within the school. At Wilson’s Hospital School, students are encouraged to take part in formal debating and public speaking opportunities during the school year. At Coláiste Éamann Rís Cork, debating and public speaking are available to students who want to build confidence and clarity in how they express ideas.

Many of our partner schools take part in national initiatives such as the Concern Debates. Not every student loves debating, but those who stick with it often surprise themselves.

Volunteering and student leadership

Irish schools place a lot of value on contribution.

Leadership is not treated as a title so much as a responsibility. Students are encouraged to get involved, help organise events, and represent their peers in practical ways.

Within our partner schools, international students often take part in:

• Student councils

• Charity and fundraising groups

• Wellbeing or environmental committees

• School events and initiatives

  
  

At Ratoath College, students are encouraged to participate in representative and service-based roles within the school community. At City Vocational School Kilkenny, student involvement extends beyond the classroom into leadership and community-focused activities.

These roles tend to appeal to students who like being busy in a purposeful way, and they are always supported by staff.

How joining clubs actually works

Most Irish schools keep club sign-up straightforward.

Students usually hear about opportunities through:

• Assemblies

• Teachers mentioning activities in class

• Friends already involved

  
  

There is rarely a formal application. Students are expected to try things out and see what fits. Costs are usually low, and many clubs are free.

Teachers are realistic about workload. One or two activities alongside schoolwork is normal, and rehearsals or meetings usually finish in time for students to get home without difficulty.

How HSI supports the right match

HSI’s approach is based on knowing our partner schools well.

When students tell us they enjoy music, drama, debating, or leadership activities, we factor that into school placement. We do not assume every school offers the same experience, because they do not.

Instead, we guide students towards schools where these activities are genuinely part of day-to-day school life. That way, students arrive knowing there will be opportunities that suit them, rather than hoping to find something later.

A final thought

Not every important moment of a year abroad happens in a classroom.

Sometimes it happens during a choir rehearsal, a late drama practice, or a debate where you realise you are more confident than you expected. Trying one club is often enough to change how a student experiences their time in Ireland.

If you want help choosing a school where music, drama, or debating is already part of everyday life, we are happy to talk it through.

Contact us to find an Irish school where your favourite activities are already part of everyday life.