What's On
Your guide to community, civic and climate-justice events across Ireland — from UN observance days to national conferences, festivals and local initiatives. Get involved.
UN Days & Weeks
Local groups often choose to tie in local initiatives with United Nations International Days and Weeks. These Days and Weeks are named to promote awareness, action, and education on issues such as human rights, peace, and sustainable development. The UN publishes a handy calendar listing the relevant dates.
Annual National Conferences & Events
15th - 17th SEPTEMBER 2026
National Ploughing Championships
– focused on agricultural attractions, but also featuring community and social groups and government departments and agencies (who pay to exhibit). Open to the public, running since 1931, small entry fee. Attendance over over 200,000 people over three days.
MAY 2026
The Wheel Summit
– an annual national conference for charities, community groups and social enterprises in the state. Open to the public, running for 20+ years. Note there is a fee (from €75 / €200 non-members availing of early bird registration). Attendance approx 600.
TBC 2026
Social Inclusion Forum
– brings together policymakers, community groups, and people experiencing poverty or social exclusion. Apply to attend, no fee, running for over 20 years. Attendance approx 200-300.
TBC 2026
National Civic Forum
–held annually since 2022 to provide a space for formal dialogue between the Community and Voluntary Sector and local and central government. Apply to attend, no fee. Attendance approx 200-250.
TBC 2026
National Public Participation Networks Conference
Other national conferences
Conferences are also often organised by the following – to name but some – consult organisation websites (click name) for more information:
The Local Development Companies Network (LDCN),
Irish Rural Link (IRL),
Community Work Ireland (CWI),
Social Justice Ireland (SJI),
Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC),
National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI),
Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL),
Irish Traveller Movement (ITM),
Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI),
National Disability Authority (NDA),
Social Farming Ireland (SFI),
Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU),
Social Care Ireland (SCI),
NASC Migrant & Refugee Rights Centre
and independent think-tank TASC.
Conferences for climate justice workers
To keep up to date on Climate Justice events, visit: https://ejni.net/events/
Events being held in 2026 are listed below:
9th - 10TH JULY 2026
The Mary Robinson Climate and Nature Conference
It takes place from July 9–10, 2026, in Ballina, County Mayo – it brings together activists, farmers and community workers with a focus on food, care and local action.
19TH NOVEMBER 2026
EPA Annual Circular Economy Conference
It takes place on November 19, 2026, in the Aviva Stadium, Dublin
All-Island conferences and events
The Shared Island Leadership Forum aims to foster relationships between leaders to help build a better society. The forum runs workshops and networking events.
The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) website is also worth checking out for workshops, funding calls and upcoming events.
A good place for information on events, training, funding sources, etc is the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA).
Parades and events
Traveller Pride Week is an annual event held in May to celebrate Irish Traveller ethnicity, culture, and achievements. The week features national and local events, including the National Traveller Pride Awards.
LGBTQ+ Pride events take place in workplaces, education providers, community centres and in towns and cities across Ireland, mostly in June every year, culminating with the Dublin Pride Festival in late June.
Africa Day is an international day observed on May 25 every year (to mark the formation of the African Union in 1963). While initially a single day for celebrations, events now take place throughout May to celebrate all things African. In Ireland, the Department of Foreign Affairs – through Irish AID – partners with local authorities and community groups to organise some of the flagship events.
Other events
Social Inclusion Weeks
Local authorities, PPNs and/or local development companies organise Social Inclusion Weeks to highlight achievements locally through community development, diversity and social inclusion initiatives. These weeks are held at various times of the year. Check locally for your Social Inclusion Week and get involved!
Local events, festivals, training, etc.
The Public Participation Network (PPN) in your county should know all about community, environmental, voluntary and charity events, training, etc, in your county. Many PPNs publish regular e-newsletters which you can sign up to receive. To find the PPN for your county click here. Also check local press.
Local authorities and elected city and county councillors:
Local authorities have increased responsibility since 2014 for supporting community development.
The Association of Irish Local Government (AILG) is the national representative body for all 949 councillors and is involved in policy development and formal consultation between local government and government departments. It organises events and training for members. W: https://ailg.ie/
The Local Authorities Members Association (LAMA) is a smaller organisation best known for its annual LAMA awards. https://lama.ie
Academic seminars and conferences
Some academic-led conferences are detailed on this dedicated conferences website. Link: https://conferencealerts.co.in/ireland/social
However, it is best to consult individual faculty websites within Ireland’s universities for further information on workshops, seminars and conferences.
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