AONTAS

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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