On Thursday 24 September, adult learners, their tutors, centres, families, and friends gathered at an awards ceremony organised by the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) in the Richmond Education and Event Centre in Dublin. The event celebrated the learning achievements of 31 adult learners from across Ireland who improved their literacy, numeracy or digital literacy skills using the Learn with NALA eLearning website.

The UNESCO* award-winning Learn with NALA eLearning website has 44 free online courses for adults in subjects including reading, writing, maths, computers and communications.

At the event, learners received NALA certificates and national Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) certificates for their work on Learn with NALA. Between January and June in 2026:

• 774 learners achieved 1,525 QQI awards on Learn with NALA.
• 381 of these learners were working directly with NALA and 393 learners were based in one of 70 Learn with NALA registered centres across the country.

In the same period:

• 612 learners achieved 1,681 NALA certificates on unaccredited courses on Learn with NALA.
• 410 of these learners were working directly with NALA and 202 learners were based in one of 64 Learn with NALA registered centres across the country.

The guest speaker at the ceremony was PJ Gallagher – renowned Irish comedian, broadcaster, podcaster, and TV personality. PJ is best known for the hit hidden-camera series Naked Camera and as co-host of Morning Glory with PJ and Jim on Radio Nova.

Speaking at the awards, guest speaker PJ Gallagher said: “I am delighted to be with Learn with NALA learners today to celebrate their awards and certificates. It’s such a positive day for the learners, their families, friends, tutors and everyone who supports them.”

PJ continued: “I hope these awards for the learners will inspire them and other potential learners to continue their education and to have the courage to consider other opportunities. This wonderful day shows how there are lots of routes into education and a variety of paths to gain awards, certificates and educational experience. No matter where you are on your learning journey, you all have something unique to offer. I commend the learners for taking the step that led them here today. You should be incredibly proud.”

Speaking at the event, NALA Chairperson, Eleanor Neff said: “All of us at NALA are extremely proud of all the learners who are celebrating their achievements today. Thank you to the learners for being here today and sharing this special occasion with us. Thank you to the tutors, staff, family members, and friends whose support has been so important along the way. Literacy really does change lives, and we hope today’s celebration inspires you to continue your learning journey. We are excited to see where it leads next.”

Jodie Forbes, a learner from the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) in Clontarf who received a Level 3 Award in Managing Personal Finances on the day said: “Before I started the IWA (Irish Wheelchair Association), I was a bit nervous about money, but after I started doing NALA, I got more used to dealing with money and I became more confident. I want to move on and get a job, so I choose courses that will help me get to that level. The more QQI certificates I have on my CV (Curriculum Vitae) the better.”

Barbara Hamill, a tutor working with the Irish Wheelchair Association in Clontarf said: “My focus is on giving learners the practical skills, knowledge and confidence they need for everyday life, greater independence and their own goals. Learn with NALA has been a real support to me in that work, giving me resources and ideas that I can adapt to make literacy and numeracy meaningful and relevant to each learner.”

Inspiring learner Lucy Wilde who received a Level 2 Major Award on the day said: “As an early school leaver, Learn with NALA helped me gain a QQI qualification at home and build my confidence – I feel ready to move on to a level 4 in Youthreach next year.”

Alison Quinn, a tutor working with the Headway in Limerick said: “We have found Learn with NALA to be an incredibly supportive resource for our learners. NALA offers a wide range of modules, allowing learners to choose topics based on their individual preferences, needs and interests. This approach promotes learner autonomy, flexibility and independence, empowering learners to take greater ownership of their learning journey.”

Each year, NALA supports over 3,000 adults to improve their literacy skills over the phone and/or online. NALA is one of Ireland’s largest providers of programmes leading to QQI awards with over 50,000 QQI minor awards at level 2 and 3 earned by learners since 2008. In September this year, Learn with NALA launched 12 new Level 1 accredited courses.

Find out more

For information on Learn with NALA go to  learnwithnala.ie.

NALA also manages a national Freephone service that refers callers to Education and Training Boards and community education providers around Ireland.  For information on free courses nationwide call Freephone NALA at 1 800 20 20 65 or go to nala.ie.

Recent news about Learn with NALA

• Launch of accredited QQI Level 1 Learn with NALA programmes
• Adults celebrate literacy achievements in Waterford – NALA
• NALA wins UNESCO International Literacy Prize for Learn with NALA

Photography

Photography: Conor Healy / Picture It Photography

• Photo 1: Speaker panel including NALA Chairperson Eleanor Neff, Jodie Forbes and Barbara Hamill from Irish Wheelchair Association Clontarf, Alison Quinn from Headway Limerick and PJ Gallagher guest speaker.
• Photo 2: Learn with NALA learner Blessing Idada with PJ Gallagher
• Photo 3: Learn with NALA learner Eamon Griffin with PJ Gallagher
• Photo 4: Learn with NALA Karl Martin with PJ Gallagher
• Photo 5: Jodie Forbes with Eleanor Neff
• Photo 6: Groups from Irish Wheelchair Association Clontarf and Irish Wheelchair Association Balbriggan
• Photo 7: Learn with NALA learner Lucy Wilde with PJ Gallagher
• Photo 8: Group from Headway Limerick
• Photo 9: Group from Avista Tipperary

*UNESCO – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization