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Limerick adult learning initiative honoured at 2025 AONTAS STAR Awards

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Representatives from the Certificate in Transition to Higher Education programme from Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) Midwest Access Service, winners of the Third Level Access and Engagement category, pictured at the AONTAS STAR Awards 2025 ceremony. The programme is held on the TUS Moylish campus in Limerick. Photo: Marc O’Sullivan

A Limerick adult learning initiative was among 24 community projects celebrated at the 2025 AONTAS STAR awards

A Limerick adult learning initiative was among 24 community projects celebrated at the 2025 AONTAS STAR awards
Richard Butler, Programme Graduate, Orlaith Borthwick, TUS, Trevor Prendergast, N-Tuttor, Dave Doherty, Programme Graduate, Professor Vincent Cunnane President TUS, Frances O’Connell, Vice President Student Education and Experience, TUS and Seamus Hoyne, TUS. Photo by Alan Place.

An adult learning initiative from Limerick was among 24 community education projects from across the island of Ireland that were celebrated at an awards event in Croke Park on Friday, March 7.

Organised by AONTAS, the national adult learning organisation of Ireland, the STAR awards – short for showcasing teamwork, awarding recognition – highlight education initiatives that showcase the transformative power of adult education.

The Limerick winner was the Certificate in Transition to Higher Education course from Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) Midwest Access Service. The project brought home a STAR Award in the third level access and engagement category. The programme is held on the TUS Moylish campus in Limerick.


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The initiative was among seven overall winners announced at the event, co-hosted by special guest, the writer and actress Pauline McLynn, a.k.a. Mrs Doyle from Father Ted.

The Certificate in Transition to Higher Education course from TUS Midwest Access Service is a preparation course that provides a pathway for people in under-represented groups to access higher education. The programme supports adults who experience severe social, economic and/or educational disadvantage to engage in a supportive and structured third-level academic foundation programme.

Speaking at the STAR Awards ceremony in Croke Park, AONTAS CEO, Dearbháil Lawless said the event shines a light on the “incredible initiatives and programmes that are running in Limerick” and all of Ireland.

He said, “The Limerick STAR Award winner highlights the incredible initiatives and programmes that are running in Limerick and across the island of Ireland that promote adult learning and community education. The value and benefit of adult education is truly reflected in the individuals here this morning and I highly commend all the winners and nominees for their fantastic achievement!”

The STAR Awards marked the end of the 2025 AONTAS Adult Learners’ Festival, a week-long all-island celebration of adult learning that this year centered around the theme of connecting communities.

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Richard is a presenter, producer, songwriter and actor. He was named the Limerick Person of the Year (2011) and won an online award at the Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards (2011) for promoting multi-culturalism online. Richard says that the ilovelimerick.com concept is very much a community driven project that aims to document life in Limerick. So, that in 20 years time people can look back and remember the events that were making the headlines.