AONTAS
@aontas.com
The voice of adult learning in Ireland since 1969. Advocating for the right of all adults to quality lifelong learning.
RCN: 20013042
RCN: 20013042
Only 24 hours to go until we announce this year’s STAR Awards finalists. ⭐
Best of luck to all nominees and the communities behind them.
#STARAwards2026
Best of luck to all nominees and the communities behind them.
#STARAwards2026
January 15, 2026 at 11:01 AM
Only 24 hours to go until we announce this year’s STAR Awards finalists. ⭐
Best of luck to all nominees and the communities behind them.
#STARAwards2026
Best of luck to all nominees and the communities behind them.
#STARAwards2026
There’s a world of learning waiting in your own community! 📚
Whether you’re curious, upskilling, or just looking to meet new people, community education offers a welcoming space to start.
Use the AONTAS Community Education Map to find courses and programmes near you: map.aontas.com
Whether you’re curious, upskilling, or just looking to meet new people, community education offers a welcoming space to start.
Use the AONTAS Community Education Map to find courses and programmes near you: map.aontas.com
January 14, 2026 at 3:23 PM
There’s a world of learning waiting in your own community! 📚
Whether you’re curious, upskilling, or just looking to meet new people, community education offers a welcoming space to start.
Use the AONTAS Community Education Map to find courses and programmes near you: map.aontas.com
Whether you’re curious, upskilling, or just looking to meet new people, community education offers a welcoming space to start.
Use the AONTAS Community Education Map to find courses and programmes near you: map.aontas.com
A powerful example of how community education groups help build welcome, belonging and solidarity at local level. Moate’s support for refugees and asylum seekers shows what’s possible when communities come together.
#CommunityEducation #AdultLearning
Credit: Westmeath Independent
#CommunityEducation #AdultLearning
Credit: Westmeath Independent
January 14, 2026 at 1:01 PM
A powerful example of how community education groups help build welcome, belonging and solidarity at local level. Moate’s support for refugees and asylum seekers shows what’s possible when communities come together.
#CommunityEducation #AdultLearning
Credit: Westmeath Independent
#CommunityEducation #AdultLearning
Credit: Westmeath Independent
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/
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/
January 13, 2026 at 2:06 PM
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/
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
Discover this year's champions of adult and community education on Friday.
#STARAwards2026
January 13, 2026 at 12:01 PM
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
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
#ENHANCE #LearnerVoice
January 12, 2026 at 2:31 PM
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
#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
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
January 12, 2026 at 12:30 PM
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
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.
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.
January 1, 2026 at 10:01 AM
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.
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!
December 31, 2025 at 10:00 AM
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.
December 30, 2025 at 3:01 PM
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.
December 30, 2025 at 10:01 AM
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.
December 29, 2025 at 3:01 PM
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.
December 29, 2025 at 10:00 AM
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.
December 26, 2025 at 3:01 PM
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.
December 26, 2025 at 10:00 AM
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. 🎄
Wishing you a very merry Christmas & a happy New Year 🎄
Nollaig Shona agus Athbhliain faoi Mhaise Daoibh. 🎄
December 25, 2025 at 10:01 AM
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. 🎄
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.
December 24, 2025 at 3:01 PM
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.
December 24, 2025 at 10:01 AM
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.
December 23, 2025 at 3:00 PM
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.
December 23, 2025 at 10:01 AM
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.
December 22, 2025 at 3:01 PM
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.
December 22, 2025 at 10:00 AM
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
Read more: tinyurl.com/kxz8w6fb
December 19, 2025 at 12:17 PM
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
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
All learners attending are newly elected Class Reps responsible fo
December 17, 2025 at 12:08 PM
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
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
Celebrating collaboration & sharing Ireland’s adult learning journey across Europe. Read more: tinyurl.com/m44u2ryk
#NEAAL
December 16, 2025 at 3:01 PM
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
Celebrating collaboration & sharing Ireland’s adult learning journey across Europe. Read more: tinyurl.com/m44u2ryk
#NEAAL