New “learning neighbourhood” launches near Trinity for Dublin Learning City Festival
Posted on: 30 April 2026
A new D2/D4 (Pearse Street, Ringsend, Irishtown) Dublin Learning Neighbourhood was recently launched at St Andrew’s Resource Centre on Pearse Street as part of Dublin Learning City Festival.
The neighbourhood, which is chaired by community activist Liz Watson, brings together organisations and learners across Ringsend, Pearse Street and Irishtown.
While the initiative will continue to grow, the festival provided an ideal moment to mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter—one that encourages neighbouring organisations, such as Trinity and Trinity Access Programmes, to collaborate and celebrate learning in their communities.
Denise McMorrow, Chair of Dublin Learning City commented: “Learning neighbourhoods are vital to fostering a culture of lifelong learning and creating opportunities for entire communities.”
“They thrive on collaboration, coalition-building, and intergenerational learning...By working closely with local communities to highlight the wealth of educational and learning opportunities available, we are able to encourage a year-round commitment to lifelong learning in Dublin, creative industries where learning is free, fun and for everyone.”
Representatives from Trinity attended the launch alongside James Lawless, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
The working group includes Greenore Community Group, St Andrew’s Resource Centre, RICC (Ringsend Irishtown Community Centre), Trinity College Dublin, Trinity Access Programmes (TAP), IADT, NCAD, UNESCO Dublin Learning City, Dublin City Council and City of Dublin Education and Training Board.
Wendy Crampton, Director of TAP, said: “Celebrating the learning neighbourhood around us is incredibly important, as they are integral to the work we do. We have also recently launched our North East Inner City Programme with local schools, and it is fantastic to see Trinity continuing to build strong, meaningful connections with the communities around us. Trinity is open to everyone, and we wholeheartedly embrace this year’s festival theme, ‘To Belong’.”
Hundreds of free lifelong learning events took place across the city throughout the week for the festival, including a notebook‑making workshop delivered in partnership with Trinity Library and Unit 18 Trinity in the Community.
To find out more, visit the Dublin Learning City website.