Woman discusses sitting her Junior Cert at 71 at Limerick event

THE POWER of literacy to change lives was the focus of one Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival seminar, with an ambassador sharing her “inspiring” story of completing her Junior Cert at age 71.

The Lifelong Learning Festival returned for its 15th year and features over 120 free events. 

The Power of Literacy interactive seminar took place at the University of Limerick (UL) Access Campus, located in Roxboro and had over 60 attendees.

The event featured key speakers, including Literacy Ambassador Pam Noonan. Pam is from Cavan but living in Southill for over 50 years.

She sat her Junior Cert at age 71, with the support of Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board’s (ETB) College of FET Core Skills programme. 

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Opening the seminar, Eimear Brophy of Limerick and Clare ETB and chair of Learning Limerick Steering Group, highlighted the relevance of this year’s festival theme of literacies for life and the importance of Limerick’s role as an UNESCO Learning City. 

“The theme is very timely and celebrates all the literacies that we need to embrace throughout our lives,” she said. 

“We also reflect on the work of Learning Limerick over the last year; the importance of connection in promoting lifelong learning; including this welcome collaboration with the national Adult Literacy for Life office. 

“We are very proud of our membership of UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) and the Irish Network of Learning Cities (INLC) and value the sharing of best practice ideas and supporting other cities as we all continue our good work.”

The keynote address at the seminar was from Yvonne McKenna, director of Adult Literacy for Life (ALL) Strategy National Programme Office, SOLAS, who said: “The strategy aims to make sure that anyone with an unmet literacy need is able to access the supports they need.

“Significantly, Adult Literacy for Life also aims to make Irish society more accessible to people with an unmet literacy, numeracy or digital literacy need. 

“It is really important that organisations, public, private and community and voluntary, deliver services in a literacy-friendly and literacy-aware way.”

There was also a panel discussion focused on identifying one clear action that individuals or organisations can take to promote literacy in their communities. 

Attendees reportedly left feeling “further motivated to continue their efforts in promoting lifelong learning and literacy awareness”.

Limerick’s Lifelong Learning Festival is an annual festival of learning organised by Learning Limerick, a partnership that is collaborating to advance Limerick’s progress as a Learning Region.

Membership includes Local Government, Higher Education, Further Education and Training, Local Development, Community Education, Youth Work, Social Welfare, Childcare, Mental Health Services and Limerick Chamber Skillnet.