D2/D4 Pearse Street, Ringsend & Irishtown announces UNESCO Learning Neighbourhood
Key UNESCO Dublin Learning City Festival 2026 Event
Dublin’s third Learning Neighbourhood was announced today in St Andrew’s Resource Centre, as part of the Dublin Learning City Festival 2026 with James Lawless, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science of Ireland.
A learning neighbourhood is a thriving, dynamic area where inclusive education and lifelong learning is secured through collaboration and shared support. The area of D2/D4 (Pearse Street, Ringsend and Irishtown) has taken the first step to officially recognised by UNESCO Dublin Learning City as a learning neighbourhood. To mark this, a D2/D4 Learning Neighbourhood working group has been established to bring the project to fruition. Their work will involve producing a guide for locals, highlighting all the learning and educational opportunities that exist on their doorstep and are available in the Pearse Street, Ringsend and Irishtown area for all residents, whether that is in education or training, formal or informal.
The D2/D4 (Pearse Street, Ringsend and Irishtown)Learning Neighbourhood is supported by a dedicated working group, which includes Greenore Community Group, St Andrew’s Resource Centre, RICC (Ringsend Irishtown Community Centre), TAP (Trinity Access Programme), Trinity College Dublin, IADT, NCAD, UNESCO Dublin Learning City, Dublin City Council and City of Dublin Education and Training Board.
Launching this initiative, Minister for Further & Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless TD said “I’m delighted to see the D2/D4 Pearse Street, Ringsend and Irishtown Learning Neighbourhood brought to life today. This Learning Neighbourhood is a testament to the local community and the many incredible resources that exist in your locality to encourage residents to upskill, continue their education, or take up a new hobby. This is a welcome and meaningful initiative, driven by the community to ensure that everyone is welcome and that nobody gets left behind.”
Denise McMorrow, Dublin Learning City Chairperson, said “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.”
She continued, “The announcement today of the D2/D4 (Pearse Street, Ringsend and Irishtown) Learning Neighbourhood is a fantastic showcase event for our 2026 Dublin Learning City Festival. 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.”
Speaking at the Launch, Liz Watson, Chairperson of the D2/D4 Learning Neighbourhood said “The announcement of the D2/D4 Pearse Street, Ringsend and Irishtown Learning Neighbourhood is a fantastic development for our local community. I look forward to progressing the initiative with the working committee over the coming months – my colleagues in St Andrews Resource Centre, Ringsend Irishtown Community Centre, Trinity Access Programme and Unit 18 Trinity in the Community.”
“The success of this initiative inspires and encourages us to follow in the footsteps of other Learning Neighbourhoods in the City, and to continue to foster accessible learning for all in our city. Thank you to Dublin Learning City for bringing Learning Neighbourhood to our community.”
The announcement of the D2/D4 Pearse Street, Ringsend and Irishtown Learning Neighbourhood is a keystone event of the seventh UNESCO Dublin Learning City Festival, which began yesterday, Wednesday 22nd and continues through to Saturday, April 25th. The festival is taking place across Dublin, both online and in person, hosting over 100 events for members of the public, all of which are free to attend.
For more information about Dublin Learning City and the Learning Neighbourhoods programme, please visit: www.dublinlearningcity.ie
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