(at the outset I should say that I work for an NGO that sends volunteers overseas)

Volunteering is not a waste of time, as long as you choose a high-quality organisation (which I would define as a signatory of the Comhlamh Volunteer Charter). As well as the short term benefits to the community overseas, and [...]

In July 2007, some friends of mine were playing at a small festival in Wicklow.  We went down for the weekend and were stunned to find this tiny vibrant festival split between a small field for camping and a marquee in a pub car park down the road.

No-one was checking wristbands, in fact no-one seemed [...]