Centre for Cross Border Cooperation

01/09/2026

Guest interview - Shane Kelly

Aidan Campbell, the Centre's Research Programme Development Manager, interviews Shane about the work of the Border Region Manufacturing Cluster (BORMAC).

Its members are private manufacturing businesses, academic institutes, and government agencies.

💻 Watch now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xqs5eHMr2XA

Atlantic Technological University ~ Enterprise Ireland ~ InterTradeIreland ~ MEGA- Manufacturing & Engineering Growth & Advancement ~ Department for the Economy NI

Aidan Campbell (the Centre's Research Programme Development Manager...

01/09/2026

The 24th International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species is in full swing! We're thrilled to coordinate a platform that brings researchers, policymakers, educators, and other key partners together to protect natural spaces and communities from the impacts of aquatic invasive species.

Queen's University Belfast

31/08/2026

Conference co-headline sponsor: West Tertiary Regional Cluster

We're delighted to have the support of EPIC Futures NI at next month's conference.

Paul Hannigan, Vice President for Cross Border Engagement and Head of College at Atlantic Technological University, Donegal, said: "The North West Tertiary Education Cluster is a strategic alliance of all four publicly funded tertiary educational providers in the North West City Region, comprising Atlantic Technological University, Ulster University, Donegal Education and Training Board and North West Regional College.

"It provides the full range of educational services including advanced skills training, cutting-edge innovation supports for enterprise, and internationally-recognised high-quality research. The Cluster has three core growth pillars of smart growth, sustainable growth and inclusive growth.

"NWTEC was established via the North West Strategic Growth Partnership and is focused on supporting the development of the North West City Region which comprises Donegal County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council."

Paul and Dr Billy Bennett, Registrar and Chief Academic Officer at Atlantic Technological University, will address delegates at the conference.

Read more about North West Tertiary Regional Cluster (ATU, Ulster University, North West Regional College & Donegal ETB) at https://mynwtec.com/

Join us on 17 September: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/centre-for-cross-border-cooperations-conference-2026-tickets-1991543405938

28/08/2026

Conference co-headline sponsor: EPIC Futures NI

We're delighted to have the support of EPIC Futures NI at next month's conference.

Malachy Ó Néill, Director of Regional Engagement and Professor of Irish at Ulster University, said: “Talent does not stop at borders, and neither do the challenges and opportunities involved in developing the skills and workforce our regions need.

"Through EPIC Futures NI, we are working with employers, policymakers, communities and education partners to understand how we can create fairer and more inclusive pathways into employment, respond to changing skills needs, and ensure that people and places are able to benefit from economic change.

"This conference provides an important opportunity to bring perspectives from across the island together, share evidence and strengthen the collaboration needed to build a more inclusive and resilient future workforce.”

Prof Ó Néill and Prof Kristel Miller, Director of EPIC Futures NI, will address delegates at the conference.

Read more about EPIC Futures at https://www.epicfuturesni.org/

Join us on 17 September: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/centre-for-cross-border-cooperations-conference-2026-tickets-1991543405938

28/08/2026

Pictured this week is the Tassagh viaduct, near Keady Co Armagh. The viaduct is a disused railway line, and was Completed in 1910. it was built to bridge the Callan River Valley as part of the Castleblayney, Keady and Armagh Railway. The viaduct features 11 arches and stretches 174 meters, reaching a maximum height of 24 meters. Constructed with concrete piers and brick arches and vaulting, it is a testament to early 20th-century engineering.

More pictures of this photogenic location here: https://www.pakaerialmedia.co.uk/tassagh-viaduct-keady/

27/08/2026

Michael D'Arcy, the Centre's Senior Research Associate, reflects on the Fleadh held earlier this month in Belfast.

In his article he argues that the success of the event was underpinned by the values and the conditions created by the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.

https://crossborder.ie/news/belfast-fleadh-michael-darcy/

Image credit: Tourism Ireland's Content Pool

Share this page:  Michael D’Arcy, CCBC Senior Research Associate, writes about the Fleadh Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann which was held in Belfast for the first time a few weeks ago generated unprecedented enjoyment, togetherness and sheer joy, along with record crowds and a much-needed boost to city...

27/08/2026

✨ We are absolutely delighted to announce the fifteen poets who have been selected for our Introductions / Céadlínte Programme 2026!✨

This bilingual programme offers early career poets, an opportunity to showcase their work through workshops and performance. It also provides participants with the opportunity to have their work published through an e-publication which Poetry Ireland / Éigse Éireann will produce and release.

🎤 We will also be hosting a special performance with the poets as part of the Dublin Book Festival in the coming months.

🔗 Check out this year's selected poets: https://www.poetryireland.ie/news-events/announcing-introductions/ceadlinte-class-2026

Poetry Ireland / Éigse Éireann is proudly funded by The Arts Council of Ireland and through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland National Lottery Funding.

26/08/2026

Getting Started with Cross Border Collaboration

The next course, with our Director Anthony Soares, will start on Tuesday 1 September 2026.

Each of the six sessions will start at 11am and last one hour. The course will run until Tuesday 6 October.

Martina Byrne, Chair of Hilltown Community Association, has completed the course.

Martina said: "The online course was a really valuable learning experience.

"It gave me a much better understanding of the opportunities and challenges involved in working across borders, while providing practical insights that I can apply in my own work.

"I particularly appreciated the accessible online format."

Martina was involved in the Centre's Cross-Border: enACTing cooperation (CBenACT) project with WOMENSTEC and Creative Spark.

Find out more about the 6-week course at https://crossborder.ie/what-we-do/projects/online-training-programme/

26/08/2026

💡Got an idea that could make a difference in your community? We could help you make it happen.

The Rural Action Awards are NOW OPEN.

🏡 Improve a community space
⚽ Purchase much needed equipment
🤝 Bring people together
🤷🏼‍♂️ Try something new in your community

We’re offering £1,000/€1,000 awards to help rural community organisations turn great ideas into action. Open to constituted rural groups across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Donegal, Cavan, Sligo, Leitrim, Monaghan and Louth.

📅 Apply by Sunday 20th September 2026
👉 To find out more and complete our short form:
https://ruralaction.co/what-we-do/rural-action-awards-scheme/

Your idea. Your community. Let's make it happen 💗

24/08/2026

Conference speaker profile 📁

Alistair Stewart is Director of Civic Engagement and Strategic Communications at Queen's University Belfast (QUB).

He leads a team of engagement professionals to build partnerships and influence key stakeholders across the political, civic and business sectors.

Alistair is a former civil servant, holding a variety of roles, including within the Private Office of the Minister for Employment and Learning.

He also worked as a project manager on the Shared Education Programme at the School of Education at QUB, which led to the Shared Education Act (NI).

📅 Thursday 17 September
⏰ 9.15am
📍 Ballymascanlon Hotel & Golf Resort, Dundalk

Conference tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/centre-for-cross-border-cooperations-conference-2026-tickets-1991543405938