Recently, our Community Education Office had the pleasure of attending the 14th Gathering of Cork Community Education Providers. This inspiring event brought together community education organisations, learners, and stakeholders from across Cork.  

Participants were invited to take part in a creative, mindful “Connecting with the Creative Self” exercise, led by Kathy Cronin and Isobel Abrams of Arteteka, which beautifully highlighted the creativity and energy in the room. Kathy also showed off their skills as a wonderful MC, keeping a seamless flow to the day. Opening the event, reminding us that “creativity is at the heart of what we do, there is no strength without unity.” 

As always, great to hear from Commandant Geraldine Fitzgerald, Gender, Diversity, and Equality Officer, at Collins Barracks, greeting participants on the historic grounds of Collins Barracks. reminding us that the army is part of the community too. Geraldine reminds us that the army is an option not only for work but to gain a valuable education and reminds us that there are other routes.  

One particularly heart-warming highlight came from the learners at Corlan/Artlink Blackpool, a community arts-based initiative operating under the Cork Community Art Link. It offers personalised support, supporting learners to meet their goals. Learners danced through the crowd proudly waving their creative artwork in the form of colourful dragonflies, wonderfully presented by Aisling. This was followed by an impressive and engaging video, created by both learners and tutors, displaying learners’ wonderful interview skills through a beautifully crafted production. At the close of their presentation, the learners proudly held up signs signifying what it meant for them to be part of the gathering to a captivated audience; there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.