The Irish Association is holding a major conference on Saving our lakes – shared island challenges and opportunities, at 10.30am on Thursday 11 June 2026 in the Lantern Boardroom at Ulster University, Belfast. The Keynote Speaker is Professor Catherine Dalton, Professor of Environmental Geography, Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick and Co-Chair of the All Island Climate and Biodiversity Research Network. 

Our aim is to examine and promote ideas and solutions that can be implemented in both jurisdictions and on a North-South basis for the growing ecological and environmental crisis in our lakes, rivers and waterways across the Island of Ireland. The conference will consider three broad themes – the heritage of the lakes; the challenges encountered in good management of the lakes; and generating ideas for saving the lakes for the future. It seeks to reflect the goals of the Irish Association in fostering cross-border collaboration on cultural, social, and economic issues, deeper public awareness and debate on the issues and new platforms for cooperation across the island of Ireland. It is supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs, under its Shared Island Civic Society Fund. 

Registration is now open on Eventbrite at the following link:
https://bit.ly/4fjEZh1
Tickets are available for members at £10 or non-members at £20.
Please ensure to advise on any dietary or access requirements during registration.
Do not hesitate to contact Eimear at admin@theirishassociation.org with any queries.