Applications are still open for voluntary editorial roles on The Adult Learner. Be part of the editorial team behind Ireland’s leading journal for adult and community education. 📅Applications close this Friday Find out more: aontas.com/about-us/work-with-us/

The countdown begins! We're only three days away from announcing the finalists for the STAR Awards 2026. ⭐ Discover this year's champions of adult and community education on Friday. #STARAwards2026

Learners, community educators & policymakers joined an ENHANCE workshop in Belfast hosted by our our European Projects Coordinator and Senior Researcher, shaping how learner voice can guide adult education. Big thanks to Open University & participants! #ENHANCE #LearnerVoice

Interested in taking part in the Adult Learners’ Festival 2026? 🌱 Join our online info session on 20th January, 2.00–2.30pm to learn how you can get involved, share ideas and access AONTAS supports. 👉 Register: tinyurl.com/2ajwrzzf

Happy New Year from all of us at AONTAS! Athbhliain faoi shéan agus faoi mhaise daoibh go léir! Here’s to another year of learning, growing, and lifting up learner voices across our communities. Wishing you a 2026 full of curiosity, connection and new opportunities.

As 2025 ends, Our CEO Dearbháil Lawless reflects on addressing the Oireachtas Committee, highlighting the impact of AONTAS and our members. Thanks to all our learners, members, and partners for a memorable year. Here’s to 2026!

Traci Barton, Finance and Administration Officer, was inspired by Cathy Clear at the AONTAS Adult Education Summit 2025. Cathy’s story showed the power of lifelong learning, how small steps can open new possibilities, leaving her uplifted and reminded of learning’s joy at any age.

Giuliana Peña, Publications and Design Officer, recalls the Writers’ Workshop as a highlight of 2025. Bringing together researchers, learners, and practitioners, it reflected what makes “The Adult Learner” special: supporting writers, valuing voices, carrying care onto the page.

Looking back on 2025, Conor Thompson, Head of Advocacy, highlights the Community Education Campaign, Local, Lifelong, Lifechanging. Shaped by the Community Education Network and learner voice, it brought community education stories into local, national and political spaces.

Brian Desmond, Membership and Engagement Officer, reflects on a 2025 highlight: the STAR Awards. From meeting learners and staff across Ireland to visiting winners, he was inspired by the dedication, compassion and innovation across adult and community education.

Aisling Meyler, Research Officer for Learner Initiatives, shares a 2025 highlight: the Community Education Against Disinformation project. Built on years of research and collaboration, the workbook is already helping communities tackle online disinformation across Ireland.

A standout AONTAS 2025 moment from Karyn Farrell, Learner Voice Project Officer, was delivering Learner Voice training across eight ETBs, creating interactive sessions to share experiences and practical tools to strengthen Learner Voice.

A huge thank you to all our learners, members & partners for being part of the AONTAS community this year. Wishing you a very merry Christmas & a happy New Year 🎄 Nollaig Shona agus Athbhliain faoi Mhaise Daoibh. 🎄

Another AONTAS 2025 moment from Thomas Murray, Head of Research: Caoimhe Butterly’s keynote at our education policy discussion in Dublin, celebrating community education, collective care, and the quiet power of joy as resistance.

Another highlight from AONTAS 2025 comes from Lorraine, Community Education Officer. She recalls the exhibition space at the AONTAS Adult Education Summit, a space dedicated to giving back to our CEN members and celebrating the incredible work happening across community education.

Next in our AONTAS 2025 moments, Eve Cobain, Senior Research Officer, recalls launching our first all-island research on Community Education for Social Transformation, exploring the sector’s capacity for change and the resources it needs.

Today’s AONTAS 2025 moment comes from Philip: the launch of the Learner Voices Across Ireland report. After a year of forums and focus groups, learners’ powerful, empathetic stories shaped this important report across Further Education and Training.

Continuing our AONTAS 2025 moments, Ruby Cooney, our Education Projects Officer shares one her highlights of the year was meeting Ulreeka, the Community Dog at Dunboyne College of Further Education, and seeing the positive impact animals can have on wellbeing in adult education.

As the year wraps up, AONTAS staff share their 2025 highlights. Larisa Sioneriu, Adult Education Initiatives Officer, loved the Learners as Leaders Community Changemakers Programme, co-creating a space of creativity, care and connection that sparked momentum for change.

Community Education Officer Lorraine O’Connor’s blog on her visit to our new CEN member Lus na Gréine Family Resource Centre in Longford is now live. It reflects on the power of community education to build connection, confidence and belonging. Read more: tinyurl.com/kxz8w6fb

In October, Learner Voices Project Officer Karyn Farrell and Education Projects Officer Ruby Cooney delivered training to 23 learners from Louth and Meath Education and Training Board at the Ó Fiaich Institute of Further Education. All learners attending are newly elected Class Reps responsible fo

Larisa & Conor joined the final #NEAAL 2024–25 meeting in Brussels 🌍 Celebrating collaboration & sharing Ireland’s adult learning journey across Europe. Read more: tinyurl.com/m44u2ryk#NEAAL #NEAAL

Minister Marian Harkin got a first-hand look at the incredible work happening across Mullingar’s community education projects yesterday. #AONTAS #communityeducation

Delighted to welcome Minister Marian Harkin to Women’s Community Projects & WCI Mullingar to launch the Women’s Storytelling Project. We also met to bring CEN voices directly to the table to discuss challenges facing the sector. Community education changes lives.

In October, our Learner Voices team delivered online Class Rep training to learners in An Cosan, exploring the role of Class Reps and how to give effective feedback. Delighted to connect with a valued member of the AONTAS Community Education Network. #NEAAL #LearnerVoice

Great day in Kerry as Karyn and Ruby delivered Class Rep training to 46 learners across four KETB campuses. Learners explored the Class Rep role, how to give effective feedback, and enjoyed connecting with others. #NEAAL #LearnerVoice

You said it, we did! Over the past two years AONTAS has run Learner Voice training for ETB staff, and sparked real change. 57 ETB staff joined our Learner Voice webinar to hear practical insights from staff and learners. Watch it now on the AONTAS Members Hub. #NEAAL #LearnerVoice

Great to bring Community Education organisations together for our final CEN meeting of 2025. We reflected on the year, planned for 2026, and were inspired by the energy in the room. Thank you to all who joined us. Wishing our CEN members a peaceful Christmas and a great year ahead🎄

Our CEO Dearbhail is attending the @eaea.org event on "EU & Adult Learning – 30 Years of Partnership" today 🇪🇺 Celebrating decades of collaboration in adult learning across Europe! Read more about the event here: eaea.org/event/eu-and...

We’re inviting applicants for voluntary editorial positions on The Adult Learner. Help shape Ireland’s leading journal for adult and community education. Deadline 16 January. Learn more here: aontas.com/about-us/work-with-us/

Life Long Learning Week 2025 kicked off yesterday! This year focuses on Investment, Inclusion, Innovation, Internationalisation and Intermediaries. 🌍 Lifelong learning helps people of all ages keep growing and adapting. Learn more here: lllplatform.eu/lllweek #LLLWeek

Our CEO Dearbhail Lawless is in Brussels today for a board meeting with the @eaea.org. Adult learning is more than courses, it is a vital right that supports democracy, inclusion and a fairer Europe. Read her interview here ➡️ tinyurl.com/5em85du7 #LLLWEEK

Last Thursday, LWETB learners took part in the National #FETLearnerForum in Mullingar Learners highlighted the welcoming support of staff, and the value of ESOL classes for inclusion. They suggested improving social spaces and strengthening supports for learners. #LearnerVoice

Lorraine O’Connor visited our new Community Education Network (CEN) member Lus na Greine FRC in Longford this week. The community spirit was unreal and learners were buzzing. Lorraine will be sharing more in a blog soon, so keep an eye on our socials.

Learner Voice training is helping strengthen representation and build more inclusive Further Education and Training. Ruby Cooney shares the impact in our latest blog. This project is made possible through the funding from NEAAL. 🔗 tinyurl.com/ycyknas8 #learnervoice #NEAAL

Yesterday, our Larisa Sioneriu facilitated a Storytelling for Connecting Communities workshop for the Local Development Companies Network. We were delighted to help build capacity for their Community Connection project, supporting local community engagement and integration. #NEAAL

Delighted to join the Meet the Innovators Panel at the Shared Island Innovators Conference on Tuesday. Megan Fearon spoke on the value of cross-border networks in strengthening evidence and delivering what communities need 🌍 Big thanks to The Wheel, NICVA & all involved!

Our Community Education Officer Lorraine O’Connor joined the Northside Community Forum Speed Networking event, connecting with local organisations and exploring new ways to support learners and communities. Read the blog 👉 tinyurl.com/2wd2dvez

This International Day of Persons with Disabilities, read our blog by Research Officer Philip Finn on Disability, Education and Access to Socially Valued Roles. It shows how inclusive adult education gives learners dignity, confidence and belonging. ➡️ tinyurl.com/yv88ze5v #IDPD #InclusionMatters

On International Day of Persons with Disabilities we’re celebrating two learners whose stories show the impact of inclusive adult education. Finian Ready: tinyurl.com/5b4jkw2x Esther Koroma: tinyurl.com/yeh53rxu This year’s theme is fostering disability-inclusive societies. #IDPD #InclusionMatters

This Friday 5th December, join our Writers’ Workshop for the 2026 edition of The Adult Learner. Get tips, ideas, and guidance from our Editorial Board. 📧 Reserve your spot here: shorturl.at/FVeX1. #AdultLearnerJournal2026

Students from NLN Mullingar and NLN College East were among the attendees at the excellent @aontas.com Adult Education Summit, meeting peers from across Ireland’s educational sector. #ThinkPossible #SupportedEducation #FET #Mullingar #Dublin #NEAAL #AONTASSummit #AdultEducationSummit2025

🚀 Great session this morning on building a case for support + driving change! Huge thanks to all who joined, shared insights and contributed to the discussions. 👉 Our next Impact Practice Network meeting will have an Impact Innovation Lab focus. Sign up: tinyurl.com/3e24cf5f @aontas.com

Our Lorraine O'Connor was delighted to attend CASPr’s 30th birthday. CEO Tom O’Brien spoke about CASPr’s role in tackling inequality and the importance of reconnecting, supporting each other, and centring children’s voices. Great to see the NEIC community coming together.

Yesterday, Dr. Eve Cobain presented our recent research for the Alliance for Lifelong Learning, created with FALNI, looking at how the impact of adult education is captured in Northern Ireland. You can read the report here: tinyurl.com/ytjpntxx

Take a moment to watch this powerful video created by Kate Glavin as part of the Learners as Leaders – Community Changemakers Programme. 📹 Watch here: Facebook: www.facebook.com/reel/1373170... Instagram: www.instagram.com/reel/DRP4IGP... #NEAAL

Great to join DALC’s Voter Voices Conference on “Building Trust in an Age of Misinformation.” Our team shared our Community Education Against Disinformation resource. Thanks to Fionnaigh and the DALC crew for a powerful event. Get it here: lnkd.in/eTZarcHy #NEAAL

Last weekend, Aisling Meyler delivered a workshop at the Frederick Douglass Civil Rights Festival using our Community Education Against Disinformation workbook. Thanks to Financial Justice Ireland and Wexford Local Development for the support. Access the workbook: lnkd.in/eTZarcHy

The 2025 special edition of The Adult Learner is available! This year’s journal focuses on Challenging Racism and Creating a More Inclusive Society, bringing forward the voices and ideas of educators, practitioners, and learners pushing for meaningful change. Read it here: shorturl.at/NMwDE

Learner Voices Across Ireland: The 2024–2025 Report highlights the experiences and hopes of adult learners nationwide. Launched at the AONTAS Summit 2025, read the full report and executive summary: Full report: shorturl.at/0vJdg Summary: shorturl.at/zygxH #NEAAL