"Imagine it, dream it, vision it and work for it"

About Us.

Our mission is to empower through education – we do that by providing people of all ages with pathways to learning, leadership and enterprise. An Cosán offers a variety of programmes in early years education and care, parenting, community, further and higher education. Our Virtual Community Education programmes now bring our ethos beyond Jobstown to locations across the country.

Beginning as The Shanty in September 1986, co-founders Dr. Ann Louise Gilligan and Dr. Katherine Zappone established a community-based project as a platform for active citizenship and transformational education. Since September 1999, An Cosán has been located in Jobstown, at the base of the beautiful Dublin mountains, nestled in a three story building which houses classrooms, a library, Open Learning Centre, Rainbow House early years’ service, counselling, and superb coffee dock.

Our Team

Meet the team that have welcomed tens of thousands of students to An Cosán

Our Governance

An Cosán is a registered charity (no.8659). Charitable status is granted by the Revenue Commissioners.

Annual Reports

Check out the reports of our activities and financial information over the years

Contact Us

Get in contact to find out more about the work we do