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The New Ireland Institute is an independent civic-education initiative dedicated to strengthening leadership, communication, and civic-engagement skills across the island of Ireland and the global Irish diaspora. We provide accessible, academically grounded programmes that equip emerging leaders with the tools and confidence needed to participate constructively in civic life.

 

Our Purpose

Ireland’s civic landscape is evolving, with increasing demand for practical skills in:

• communication and public engagement

• leadership and teamwork

• data and policy interpretation

• cross-border understanding

• ethical digital and AI use

The New Ireland Institute was created to meet this growing need. Our mission is to build civic capacity through training that is non-partisan, skills-based, and grounded in real-world application.

 

What We Do

We deliver structured civic-education programmes that combine:

• communication and leadership exercises

• shared-island case studies

• practical digital literacy and ethical AI use

• instructor-led workshops and seminars

• reflective assignments and personalised feedback

Our approach focuses on building transferable skills that support community engagement, professional development, and constructive civic participation.

 

Our Approach

We design all programmes around four core principles:

 

1. Non-Partisanship

We teach skills, not political positions. Our programmes welcome learners from all backgrounds.

 

2. Academic Integrity

All course content is original, ethically sourced, and aligned with common higher-education standards across Ireland, the UK, and the EU.

 

3. Practical Application

Our training emphasises communication, analysis, collaboration, and leadership in real-world contexts.

 

4. Shared-Island Lens

We help learners understand civic, institutional, and cultural dynamics across both jurisdictions of the island, in a constructive and informed way.

 

Our Commitment

The New Ireland Institute aims to support a more confident, civically engaged generation by providing training that empowers individuals to contribute positively to their communities and workplaces.

 

Founder

Simon Gillespie, originally from Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, is an educator and curriculum designer with extensive experience in community leadership and civic-engagement training in both Ireland and the United States. He founded the New Ireland Institute to provide accessible, skills-based civic education that supports emerging leaders across the island and the wider Irish diaspora.