Travelling and working round Ireland? Advice needed!

[WanderingFruitWonderer]

Hello folks. I was born in Northern Ireland, to NI parents (though my grandfather was from near Dublin) and have lived in England from the age of two. So have a very English accent, and think of myself as a bit of both! But mostly just a citizen of the world.
I've always had a British passport, as I was living here, and also it was cheaper! I don't mind which passport I have, as long as it works. My current passport expires in December, and then I plan to get an Irish one, due to Brexit. I'm so immensely grateful for the opportunity to have an Irish passport, and remain an EU citizen, that I want to give something back.
I'm at a bit of a crossroads in life generally, and time for a change soon. I'm thinking of doing a tour of Ireland for a few weeks or months next year (the Republic and the north) and unusually for me, planning ahead! I'm somewhat poor, so would be hoping to pick up some temporary work perhaps on route hither and thither. How possible is it? It occurred to me I could offer to work in hostels I stayed in maybe? Or pick fruit on farms or similar? I'm a vegan, so couldn't work in animal agriculture.
Also, anywhere I particularly should visit?
If all else fails I'll just go for a few little camping trips instead!
All advice gratefully received. Thank you very much

Fly in to Waterford or Cork.
Visit Wexford for beaches and you may get work strawberry picking, there is also a seal sanctuary there that take volunteers. They save seals and release back into wild once rehabilitated. Not sure do they provide accommodation for volunteers.
Visit Kilkenny, beautiful medieval city.
Go along the coast then Cork, Kerry you may get summer work there as very touristy.
If you have time hit The Burren in Co. Clare, Galway City is fab always a buzz and then out to Cliffs of Moher.
Up in the Northern counties I would definitely do Belfast, amazing city and so much to learn. People are friendly once you are respectful. It gets a bad rep from years ago. (Avoid in July though). If you have time do the coast drive - beautiful. Donegal and Derry are others to hit.

Personally I'd avoid Dublin, I don't like it, over crowded and expensive and I think you don't get the sense of real Ireland.

You may get work in bars or restaurants as places are short staffed but doubt they'd take on anyone for a week at a time.

You should have no problem picking up work around the causeway coast. You can probably ring ahead and set up an interview at any restaurant or hotel before you get here they are always looking for people during the tourist season.

Be warned! Once here you will not want to go home!

Thank you @ShoppingBasket that's all very helpful

Thank you @Crispynoodle yes, I wonder if I might end up staying longer than planned! I definitely do feel at least a bit Irish, having been born on the island of Ireland (Enniskillen in Fermanagh to be precise) and I have wonderful childhood memories of visiting every other summer. But I don't know much of it well, and long to see more. I'm troubled by the direction England is going in some ways. The amount of support the current government still enjoys, in spite of party-gate etc. It's disturbing. Of course many here feel the same, but feel trapped. I can't tell you how grateful I am for my Irish passport opportunity. I voted Remain by the way!

Have a look at hosts looking for volunteers on workaway.info; fantastic way of travelling with minimal outlay.

Be warned though, I went to Ireland on holiday many years ago and stayed for 11 years!!

Thank you @Escarpahell
Ha! Yes, 'visiting' Ireland, and staying for years, seems to be a fairly common phenomenon! 😀

Hospitality are crying out for staff. So you will definitely pick up work no bother,

@SparkyBlue thanks, that's reassuring.
I'm starting to feel very excited about the prospect of my trip next year; and may even bring it forward!

Have a look at Woof wwoof.net/

Organic farming volunteering sites, am sure you can find a non livestock one. Pay is food and board only, but might be a different way to experience a community.

Are you under 30? If do look at

europa.eu/youth/solidarity_en

my DS is on a gap year and volunteering in many EU countries with this scheme - advantage is that accommodation & food is paid for. You will need your Irish passport to take part as UK choose not to.

Thanks @turkeyboots I'm passionate about organic and sustainable food production, so I'll take a look. I'm aware of the Woof scheme, but hadn't thought of it in relation to my Ireland trip, so that's a great idea. @Eve thank you. Alas, just a little bit over 30 now (not much!) But there may be other similar opportunities, so I'll have a good look into it.

Thank you all so much for your help and advice. If this thread is anything to go by, I instinctively feel my time in Ireland will be positive 😊