Adult learners from Tipperary receive literacy awards from PJ Gallagher

Three adult learners from Tipperary were among 31 adult learners, their tutors, families, and friends from around Ireland gathered at an awards ceremony organised by the National Adult Literacy Agency in the Richmond Education and Event Centre in Dublin on September 24, 2026.

The ceremony celebrated the achievements of the learners who improved their literacy, numeracy or digital literacy skills using the Learn with NALA eLearning website.

The learners from Tipperary were Lisa Marie Hutchinson from Avista Tipperary, Gabija Mickute, from Avista Tipperary and Blessing Idada, an independent learner.

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 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. 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.”

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.

For information on Learn with NALA go to www.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 www.nala.ie.