Over the weekend, our Head of Communications Rachael Ryan was on Near FM with Declan Ralph talking about the AONTAS Star Awards 2025.
You can listen to the interview here.
"We're actually in our 19th year for the STAR Awards," Rachael says, "nearly two decades under our belt. We kind of like to call it the Oscars of adult education in Ireland!"
Nominations are open for any groups or organisations across the island of Ireland working in adult learning.
Rachael talks about the importance of recognising adult learning and the achievements of educators and learners across the country.
Any organisation working in some form of adult learning can nominate themselves in five different categories.
These are "Health and Wellbeing", "Learner Voice", "Third Level Access and Engagement", "Social Inclusion", and "Global Citizenship Education."
Declan mentions the massive diversity of groups involved, and the value not just of winning but also of being shortlisted.
"The stars of the show," Rachael says, "are always the groups and projects that win our awards."
The closing date for nominations is next Wednesday 30 October 2024.
To apply:
"We're calling out to any organisation who think they might fit into one of the categories to nominate themselves," Rachael says.
"You might as well. If you're on the fence, you might as well. You might just get that nomination."
The STAR Awards 2025 ceremony is taking place on the 7 March in Croke Park in Dublin.
Find out about last year's winners.