English Meet 2026

Come to a convivial evening in the lovely surroundings of Whispering House at St Columba's College to share ideas about teaching English. The College was also the venue for the 2019 and 2022 researchED Dublin conferences.

Teachers will speak about a wide variety of elements of their practice.

Confirmed speakers and topics:

• Sarah Butler: Teaching The Children of Men in an era of wall-building.
• Deirdre Carroll: Functional writing: a practical approach.
• Amy Earley: Teaching the graphic novel.
• Aoife Fleming: Scaffolding for Success: tools/scaffolds to help bridge the gap in learning in a context where absenteeism is on the rise.
• Julian Girdham: The best book for English teachers right now: George Saunders on how stories work.
• Rebecca Morrin: Station activities to support engagement for written tasks.
• Selena Wilkes: What Makes it a Poem? Some strategies for introducing students to poetic form and language.

Here is an account of the 2025 event, with links to 2024, 2023 and 2022. This year's event page.

Please note that this event has no 'official' element: it is 'just' a group of teachers coming together to share ideas.

St Columba's College is in Whitechurch near the M50 (see the map below). Eircode: D16CH92. Attendees will be guided by pupils from the car-parks to the venue, Whispering House. Tea and coffee will be available from 6.30pm.

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Host or Publisher Julian Girdham