Irish Learning Support Association ILSA clg

📢 SAVE THE DATE

ILSA Annual Conference 2026
🗓️ Friday, October 10th 2026

We are currently planning this year’s conference programme and welcome your input.

If you, a colleague, or a presenter you have recently engaged with at CPD would be a valuable addition, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Please share your recommendations with us via DM.

We look forward to delivering an engaging and impactful conference.

Thank you for attending the
Spring Conference last week. We now continue planning for our Annual Conference in Athlone in October.

Learning the importance of touch tying and file management from Deirdre Madden. Assistive Technology at Irish Learning Support Association ILSA Spring Conference Radisson Blu, Cork

Deirdre Madden UCC at Irish Learning Support Association ILSA Spring Conference in Cork sharing assistive technology with teachers. Excellent resources.

Only 4 days to go until the ILSA Spring Conference 2026! 🎉

We can’t wait to welcome you to the ILSA Spring Conference at the stunning Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Cork for an inspiring day of learning, leadership and connection.

✨ Headliner: Dr Ciara O’Donnell
🎤 Dr. Trevor O’Brien
🎤 Deirdre O’Toole
🎤 Dr Pauline Cogan
🎤 Deirdre Madden
🎤 Dr. Margaret Egan
🎤 NCSE
🎤 Inspectorate
🎤 Aoife Power
🎤 Dr Mark Prendergast
🎤 Dr Marie Ryan
🎤 Emma O'Keeffe

An incredible lineup you won’t want to miss!

🎟️ Final tickets are available now via Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/ilsa-spring-conference-2026-tickets-1979773440655

See you in Cork!

🎤✨ Guest Speaker Reveal – ILSA Conference 2026 ✨🎤

Join us on Friday, March 6th at the stunning Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Cork for an inspiring day of learning, connection and practical insight.

We’re excited to introduce two of our fantastic guest speakers 👇

🌿 Laoise Hamill
Deputy Principal & SENCO at St. Malachy’s MNS

🏡 Nurture: A Home Away from Home

This research-informed session explores the implementation and impact of a Nurture Group within an educationally disadvantaged Irish primary school. Drawing on qualitative research capturing children’s and staff perspectives, Laoise will highlight:

• The importance of a nurturing environment
• Supporting social and emotional development
• The role of the adult and sustaining nurture practices

Children described their Nurture Room as a “home away from home” — a space of belonging, community, shared rituals and trusted relationships.

Participants will gain practical, whole-school strategies to strengthen relational practice and support socio-emotional development.

💛 Ms. Emma O’Keeffe
Teaching Fellow in the Educational Psychology and Inclusive Special Education (EPISE) Department at Mary Immaculate College

🌈 Social Emotional Learning

Social and emotional literacy — the ability to identify, understand, manage and express feelings — directly impacts a student’s capacity to learn. Emotions influence attention, organisation, motivation and problem-solving, while regulation skills support positive peer relationships and social interactions.

In this session, Emma will explore social emotional learning from theory to practical classroom application — focusing on:

• What to teach
• When to teach it
• How to teach it

Drawing on her experience as a Special Education Teacher and her PhD research exploring the wellbeing of SENCOs in Irish primary schools, Emma will provide practical, classroom-ready approaches to embedding SEL meaningfully.

📅 Friday, March 6th
📍 Radisson Blu Cork
🤝 Connect. Learn. Be Inspired.

💼 Why Join ILSA?
✨ Access exclusive resources
✨ Connect with a growing community of special education teachers
✨ Attend workshops, talks & CPD events
✨ Enjoy member-only discounts
✨ Stay ahead with the latest research in the area of special education

🌐 With school membership, members will enjoy -
✓ Exclusive Content for members
✓ Reduced rates and early booking for Conferences
✓ Live Communities of Practice
✓ Recorded Webinars
✓ 3 members per school membership

👉 Become part of a community of passionate educators in the area of special education TODAY!

We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Ciara O’Donnell as our Keynote Speaker at the ILSA Conference on Friday, 6th March ✨

🎤 Keynote: Charting Directions in Teacher Professional Learning and Development

With over 20 years’ experience in teacher CPD, Dr. O’Donnell previously served as National Director of the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST), leading Ireland’s first multi-disciplinary, cross-sectoral support service for teachers and school leaders.

Now an independent education consultant, author, and professional speaker, she also works as an academic tutor and supervisor at Maynooth University, specialising in teacher education, curriculum, and school leadership.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain powerful insights into the future of teacher professional learning and development.

🌟 ILSA Special Education Teacher Award 2025 🌟 We’re celebrating the exceptional contributions of teachers working in special education across Ireland! Are you or a colleague making an outstanding impact? Applications are now open – ILSA members only. 📄 Download and complete the application form 📘 Don’t forget to read the T&Cs ✨ Let’s recognise and honour the incredible work happening in our schools every day. Apply now & help us shine a light on excellence in special education! Link in our bio to T&C’s and application form ✨

Tickets on Eventbrite For Spring Conference Radisson Blu, Cork. 6th March 2026

Irish Learning Support Association I.L.S.A. CLG Cumann Tacaíochta Foghlama na hÉireann Irish Learning Support Association Company Limited by Guarantee Empowering educators to support learners ILSA Membership 2025-2026 is now available There are two forms of membership : School Membership and Individual MembershipMembership is for t...