About Us
AONTAS are the National Adult Learning Organisation of Ireland, founded in 1969 and passionately working ever since to make education equal and accessible for all. Backed by our robust research and focussed community work, we advocate and lobby for quality education for all adults, and raise awareness of the impact of adult learning on people’s lives and on society. We work on behalf our members, who connect with all communities across the island of Ireland. Our members and adult learners inform all our research and campaigns for social change.
Learner Voice is at the heart of our work. We conduct evidence-based research – through the National Further Education and Training (FET) Learner Forum – with thousands of adult learners across the country, to gather their experiences and perspectives on what is working well and what needs to change in adult and community education. This is the basis of our advocacy work and is used to ensure policy responds to the needs of the learners.
Transforming Adult and Community Education
Advocacy and Policy
We have built strong relationships with national policymakers and decisionmakers across Ireland and, using our research and feedback from our membership, we are a strong advocate for improvements in adult and community education policy nationally and across Europe. We act as a link between national policy and what happens in practice on the ground. We also respond to policy developments from Government, with our members’ and adult learners’ concerns in mind. Throughout the course of this strategic plan, we will continue to build effective relationships with key policymakers to make adult learning a more realistic option for people, and so that everyone’s basic needs are met in order to facilitate them to engage in education at any stage of their lives.
Our Membership
We have hundreds of members who connect with all communities across the island of Ireland. Our members inform all our research and campaigns as we advocate for policy change in our education system to benefit everyone.
Community Education
We support people who provide all types of learning in local communities across the country, based on a model of social justice which priorities the furthest behind in our education system.
Eurpean Projects
We seek to make a difference in global challenges like climate change, the digital divide, and threats to democracy. European projects also offer great opportunities for capacity building for people working in the adult and community education sector in Ireland. We are involved in a number of European projects, supporting our members with their work in adult and community education, and promoting access to and participation in lifelong learning in Ireland and across Europe.
The Adult Learner Journal - Annual Academic Journal
The Adult Learner Journal is a valuable resource that documents the development of adult learning policy and practice. It provides a forum for critical reflection on the practices of teaching and learning, giving priority to subject matter that addresses social exclusion, equality, workplace learning and the study of the teacher-student relationship.
Campaigns
We create multimedia campaigns that highlight the benefits of adult learning to the general public. These direct-action campaigns target social inequality to influence policy and funding.
AONTAS Staff and Board
The AONTAS staff and Board work together to promote adult and community education across Ireland. The staff team, led by CEO Dearbháil Lawless, drives policy, research, communications, and learner engagement. The Board provides strategic oversight and governance, ensuring AONTAS stays true to its mission of supporting lifelong learning and educational equality.
Dearbháil Lawless
Chief Executive Officer
Dearbháil is the Chief Executive Officer of AONTAS. She has responsibility for the strategic direction and operational management of AONTAS. Dearbháil was previously the Head of Advocacy, EU Project's Officer, and taught in Community Education, FET, and Higher Education. Dearbháil is a passionate advocate and activist. She believes that adult learning is the greatest tool for creating positive social change. Dearbháil likes to bring her dog Hazel to the office sometimes.
Dearbháil Lawless
Chief Executive Officer
Marta Feragalli
Head of Environmental, Social and Governance
Marta works closely with the CEO, Team Leads, Office Coordinator and Finance and Admin Officer and provides finance support across all areas of work. Marta also plays an integral part in the monitoring of the schedules, budgets and expenditures of all EU funded projects.
Marta Feragalli
Head of Environmental, Social and Governance
Thomas Murray
Head of Research
Thomas leads our research initiatives and Research Team, ensuring a strong evidence-base for advocacy and for informing national policy and practice in adult and community education.
Thomas Murray
Head of Research
Rachael Ryan
Head of Communications
Rachael is responsible for our daily communications activities, building the public profile of the organisation, and organising key AONTAS events throughout the year.
Rachael Ryan
Head of Communications
What is adult learning?
Adult learning is about making education accessible and meaningful for everyone, no matter their background or stage in life. At AONTAS, we believe it should be learner-led, supportive, and open to all—helping people build confidence, learn new skills, and create positive change for themselves and their communities.
Strategic Plan 2023-2026
AONTAS’ Strategic Plan for 2023–2026, ‘Leading Collective Action for Social Change’, focuses on empowering adult learners to drive social equality and justice across Ireland.
Join Us Today
Supporting Our Members
Membership
”Become a Member of AONTAS and influence the national agenda for adult and community education at a top level” Johns Philips, Carlow