Transforming lives together
A world where everyone can access education to achieve their full potential.
About Us
An Cosán was established with the belief that education could be instrumental in bringing about a transformation in society, including tackling poverty. Since then, we have grown to become a national organisation working with over 240 community organisations throughout the country.
Our Mission is to empower women and children left furthest behind through learning, leadership and enterprise.
Our Values
Connected
meeting the needs of our community in an inclusive way
Compassionate
being kind, supportive and loving
Courageous
ambitious and resilient
An Cosán
Timeline
01 Mar, 2023
1986
An Cosán began in The Shanty, the home of Ann Louise Gilligan and Katherine Zappone. Working with a small group of women, living inside and outside of Tallaght, they had a vision that education was the key towards transformation and the eradication of poverty.
01 Mar, 2023
1999
An Cosán opens its new centre in Jobstown, working to create a system of community education that would be flexible and designed to accommodate the diverse needs and capabilities of every learner, so that their potential would be reached.
01 Mar, 2023
2022
Recognising its growth to become a national organisation, An Cosán launches its new strategy with a greater focus on digital inclusion and influencing public policy. The new goal is to become the education voice for those left furthest behind and a leader in enhancing the education system in Ireland.
Our Team
Our staff are passionate experts who work to support people from 0 to 90+ years to develop their capacities and experience a sense of empowerment in their lives and community. Our team have welcomed tens of thousands of students over the years! Take a chance to get to know our leadership team.
Heydi Foster
Chief Executive Officer
Heydi has extensive senior leadership experience in education, human rights, community development and delivery of social services in marginalised and vulnerable communities in Ireland, Africa, Asia, Latin America and the USA. She was previously CEO of the international development agency, Misean Cara, and of Exchange House Ireland National Travellers Service. She served for 10 years as Commissioner with the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. Heydi has a Master’s in Public Administration from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government
Anne Genockey
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Anne has special responsibility for An Cosán’s Early Years, Counselling and Family Support services. She joined An Cosán in 1993 and has been closely involved with the provision of Early Years’ Education and Care ever since. Anne has an MA in Family Support Studies from NUI Galway, a Diploma in Montessori Education 0-6 years and certificates in Creche Management and Afterschool Care.
Carole Byrne
Finance Manager
Carole is responsible for financial management and oversight of all financial policies, procedures and systems within An Cosán. Carole first joined An Cosán in 2010, having gained a wealth of knowledge of the community and not-for-profit sectors from her time in Pobal. Carole studied a Bachelor of Commerce International with French at UCD and qualified as an ACA accountant during her years at KPMG. Carole also studied Montessori teaching, which afforded her great hands-on experience of the Early Years Education and Care sector.
Adelaide Nic Chárthaigh
Adult Community Education Manager
Adelaide heads our Adult Community Education service. She has over 25 years’ management and business development experience in the not-for-profit and public education sectors. Adelaide has an MBA from Henley Management College, and qualifications in project management and public relations.
Mark Kelly
Policy and Communications Manager
With 25 years+ experience working in both non-profit and private sectors, Mark joined An Cosán in 2018 having worked with high profile corporate PR agencies and charities. Mark spearheaded the development of our Digital Stepping Stones and Get Yourself Online tools. He holds an MA in Learning and Teaching from National College of Ireland as well as Digital Policy (from UCD), Digital Marketing, and Transformative Community Education, amongst others. Mark has been a Director of the Dublin City Volunteer Centre since 2019.
Governance
An Cosán is a registered charity and is keenly focused on upholding our commitment to ending poverty through the transformative power of education. We are committed to good governance and to holding ourselves to the highest standards of transparency and accountability, and as such is a signatory to the Principles of Good Governance.
Awards
An Cosán has received widespread recognition for our work over the years, demonstrating our leadership and expertise in achieving better futures. In 2025, we were recognised for our Digital Inclusion initiatives being awarded the prestigious ‘Most Innovative Digital Transformation’ award at the 2025 Education Awards and ‘Most Innovative Transformation’ award at the Digital Transformation and AI Awards 2025. The awards specifically recognised the development and impact of getyourselfonline.ie, a digital assessment and learning tool and Digital Stepping Stones, that facilitates learners to take the first step on their digital journeys.
In 2023, we were awarded the Aontas Social Inclusion Award for our WorkAbility programme, and our CEO Heydi Foster was awarded the Charities Institute Ireland ‘Excellence in Charity Leadership’ award for her pioneering stewardship and direction in the sector.
Our Founders
Co-founders of An Cosán, Dr. Katherine Zappone and the late Dr. Ann Louise Gilligan, established a community-based project as a platform for active citizenship and transformational education. Together they had a vision that saw education as the key to transformation and to the eradication of poverty.
They created the project to serve the people of Tallaght West and they had women at the centre of their work as they knew that educating and empowering women was fundamental if you wanted to educate communities. They wished to provide a pathway to learning, leadership and enterprise for those who are the most marginalised in our society, and over the years their dream has grown and flourished into the impact that An Cosán has today.
Learner Voices
Every day we are inspired by our learners! Their determination to pursue their education and change their lives, their families and their communities is truly remarkable. Take a moment to listen to their stories >>
Rudo’s Story
Selina’s Story
Our supporters
An Cosán’s holistic, learner-centered approach puts you, the learner, at the heart of all we do. We provide ‘a place of hearth and home’ and know that our learners’ basic needs must be met before they can excel in their studies
Our Courses
Quick Links
Contact Us
Kiltalown Village Centre,
Fortunestown Road,
Jobstown,
Dublin, D24 R3PN
P: 01 462 8488
E: info@ancosan.ie
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The Shanty Educational Project CLG, Registered Charity No. 8659, Registered Company No. 131383, Charity Regulator Number 20021528. Design by imprint