Home The AONTAS Adult Education Summit 2026

The AONTAS Adult Education Summit 2026

Summit 2026: Join the Waitlist

The response to this year’s Summit has been extraordinary. Educators, learners, policymakers, and community leaders from across Ireland and Europe are coming together.

Join us on 21st and 22nd October 2026 at the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, where we’ll explore the role of adult and community education in shaping a more inclusive, equal, and sustainable future.

This year’s theme, Shaping Europe’s Future through Adult Education, will spark discussion, learning, and action on the challenges and opportunities facing communities across Ireland and Europe.

Missed out? Join the waitlist.
Places may become available, and we’ll contact people on the waitlist as soon as they do.

Follow along on our social channels for updates, speaker announcements, and highlights as the Summit approaches.

Questions? Get in touch with mail@aontas.com.

What To Expect

At last year’s Summit, we came away even stronger in our conviction that education is political.

On 21st and 22nd October, the AONTAS Adult Education Summit 2026 brings together learners, educators, researchers, artists, policymakers, and changemakers from across Ireland and Europe. Hear keynotes from Professor Lyn Tett and Professor Ted Fleming, and join panels on the missing voices in the National Convention on Education and on Europe’s future, with perspectives from the Netherlands, Denmark, Serbia, and Northern Ireland. Discover what Swedish folk high schools can teach us, take part in workshops on learner voice, research, and community wealth building, and enjoy a new play, Full Circle, and live music. We’ll also launch two publications: the LVAI Report and The Adult Learner 2026.

Two days of conversation, creativity, solidarity, and learning. Registration is closed, but join the waitlist to be first in line if places open up.

Meet Our Exhibitors

Our exhibitors are booked, and they’re bringing some of the most exciting work in adult and community education to the Summit. Adult education providers, NGOs, charities, advocacy organisations, and educational technology and learning resource providers will be there to share their programmes, resources, and expertise.

Make the most of the exhibition time at lunch and coffee breaks on both days. Stop by, ask questions, swap ideas, and build connections with the people shaping the sector.

Can’t wait until then? Get a head start and click below to view our exhibitors and find out what they do.

Summit Guide

Getting There

The 2026 Summit will take place on 21st and 22nd October 2026 at the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Dublin 8.

We encourage attendees to travel by public transport where possible.

The venue is located in Dublin city centre, within easy reach of Dublin Bus, Luas, DART, and Irish Rail services. The nearest Luas stops are St Stephen’s Green (Green Line) and Four Courts (Red Line), both within walking distance of the venue.

For those travelling from outside Dublin, Heuston and Connolly stations are easily accessible by public transport or taxi. Regular bus and coach services also connect Dublin Airport to the city centre.

On-site parking is available at €4 per hour / €20 overnight. Spaces are first come, first served. More parking is available nearby at Q-Park Christchurch, just a short walk from the venue.

Directions to the venue can be found below.