visa in ireland?

Doesn't matter if it's ferry or plane. All you need is your passport and a smile. You don't need a visa with a stay that short. You won't be questioned beyond being asked how long you're planning to be in Ireland. You don't need any of that other paperwork. Bring your drivers license if you're planning to do any driving over there.

I'm not sure of the answer but I'd recommend you double check any advice you receive here through official channels as the "volunteering/ doing work-trade" idea will probably take you outside normal tourist entry parameters.

The last time (and every time) I have entered Ireland, they have asked the purpose of your visit (business or vacation) and how long you will be staying, that's all. But I would take Peter's advice and find out the actual legal requirement for that type of work. I would expect that it would fall into the same category as doing a charity-type work trip, but only the embassy can tell you exactly.

As a second piece of advice I'd would avoid like the plague any advice like Steve's that involves 'massaging' the truth. If there's one thing guaranteed to cause a lot of trouble at immigration it's being caught in a lie.

Don't assume that because the work is unpaind (although if they are paying you in lodging it clearly is paid work) that you can do it on a tourist visa. You really, really, need to check officially but, as an example, what you suggest would not be allowed in the UK as visitors cannot work, paid or otherwise. This obviously has no bearing on Irish law but their immigration laws are broadly similar to ours due to the CTA.

Taking a wild, wild guess: since you asked the question and put in the details that you did, you suspect there's a potential problem. The secondary questions are almost a give away.

Whatever the issue is, face it head-on. Lying can make things real messy real fast.

Different countries have different laws (not many agriturismos in Ireland) and the laws have definitely changed since the '70s - which is why the OP needs to speak to an expert about Ireland.

It's easy to give anonymous advice to be less than honest with immigration officers but it can have quite serious consequences for the OP. If she's allowed to 'work trade' then there's no reason not to mention it and keep it all above board is there?

I suspect this thread going no where so this is my last post on the matter but I'll leave these pieces of advice for the OP:

-Beware of immigration advice from non-experts (certainly including me) or anecdotes - especially if you are doing something out of the ordinary (i.e. working or volunteering). Do your due diligence because it's you who'll pay the price for bad advice.

-Any advice that involves telling lies to immigration is dangerous and reckless and could get you into a lot of trouble. People can dress it up or rationalise it all they like you know when you're telling the truth or not.

I withdraw my earlier response and defer to Peter's always-cogent advice. One of my daughters went to school in Dublin back in '05 and did some volunteering too and did not need a work permit. It was my understanding at the time that a work permit was needed only for "salaried employment". But I totally agree that you should call your nearest Irish consulate to find out the current requirements re: your situation.