LINC Programme Consortium Welcomes Attendees to Mary Immaculate College for the Inaugural International Inclusion Conference

Pictured Left to Right: Prof. Emer Ring, Mary Immaculate College; Claire Butterly, LINC Programme; Prof. Lisha O’Sullivan, Mary Immaculate College; Michelle Hart, National Childhood Network; Prof. Eric Dearing, Boston College; Niamh Fortune, Maynooth University; Teresa Heeney, Early Childhood Ireland

The Leadership for Inclusion in the Early Years (LINC) Programme successfully hosted its first International LINC Conference at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, on Saturday, 27 September 2025. Themed “Making Inclusion a Reality for All Children: Merging Theory and Practice to Create Spaces Where All Children Belong,” the one-day event brought together early years providers, inclusion coordinators (INCO’s), educators, teachers and principals, policymakers, academics, researchers, and parents to exchange ideas and celebrate inclusive practice.

Organised by the LINC Programme in collaboration with Mary Immaculate College, Early Childhood Ireland, and the Froebel Department at Maynooth University, the conference attracted attendees from across Ireland and internationally.

A highlight of the day was the keynote address by Professor Eric Dearing, Professor of Applied Developmental Psychology at Boston College and Executive Director of the Mary E. Walsh Center for Thriving Children. His presentation, “Growing up poor in a wealthy society: Developmental obstacles and opportunities,” examined how access to education shapes children’s life outcomes, particularly for those experiencing disadvantage. Reflecting on the event, Professor Dearing remarked:

“The International LINC Conference was a powerful opportunity to renew, strengthen, and widen our efforts to ensure all children get repeated opportunities to thrive, at home, in early education and care, and in their communities. While challenges to children thriving appear around nearly every corner of society, the conference demonstrated how we can help children, families, and educators meet these challenges through inclusion and by reinforcing the many strengths that all children possess. Coming together to share knowledge and insights, to ask little and big questions, and to build community was an important step toward that aim.”

Welcoming attendees to the campus, Professor Dermot Nestor, President of Mary Immaculate College, emphasised the importance of hosting such a milestone event and commended the work of the LINC team:

“Mary Immaculate College was delighted to host the first International LINC Conference, welcoming attendees from across Ireland and beyond. This was something far greater than an academic gathering; it was a call to action. In a context where 225,000 Irish children currently live below the poverty line, the wide-ranging work showed that inclusive practice is fundamental to quality early childhood education. At MIC, we believe the early years are not just ‘preparation for life’ they are life, happening right now. I warmly congratulate the LINC team for creating this landmark event.”

Professor Emer Ring, Dean of Education, Early Childhood, and Teacher Education at Mary Immaculate College, reflected on the wider context of the discussions:

“Internationally and in Ireland, there are many well-documented challenges to providing inclusive early childhood and school systems where all children belong and are enabled to thrive. At the International LINC Conference, we explored how these challenges can be addressed by merging theory and practice in creating inclusive spaces across the continuum of our education system. The conversations held at MIC deepened our collective understanding of how difference can be understood and celebrated as an enriching feature of children’s experiences.”

Teresa Heeney, CEO of Early Childhood Ireland, underlined the importance of inclusion from the beginning of a child’s educational journey:

“It is essential that children feel welcomed, supported, and included from the moment they enter an early years setting. The first International LINC Conference provided a pivotal opportunity for professionals, academics, researchers, policymakers, and parents to explore how we can ensure that all children feel a sense of belonging and have the chance to thrive in inclusive learning environments.”

Building on this, Niamh Fortune, Associate Dean of Teaching and Learning, FSS, Maynooth University, added:

“This conference was a powerful step towards creating environments where every child feels seen, valued, and supported in the early years.”

Claire Butterly, National Coordinator of the LINC Programme, reflected on the significance of the event:

“We were delighted to host our first International LINC Conference. The event created a valuable platform for Educators, Inclusion Coordinators, Managers and Principals, Teachers, Inspectors, Policy Makers, and Support Staff to come together to share practice, exchange ideas, and inspire one another in shaping learning spaces where all children truly belong. We were especially proud to share our new publication with attendees on the day, and I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who gave their Saturday in a busy September to join us and make this milestone possible.”

The conference also marked the launch of the LINC Programme’s latest publication, Leading from Within: Developing a Professional Learning Portfolio for Inclusion in the Early Years. This resource documents and celebrates the work of students who participated in the Leadership for Inclusion in the Early Years (LINC) Programme, specifically profiling their professional portfolios and highlighting their reflections and exemplars of best practice in leading inclusion in Early Learning and Care (ELC) settings. The publication can be accessed here: Leading from Within: Developing a Professional Portfolio for Inclusion in the Early Years. 

Pictured left to right (back row): Kathleen Horgan, Mary Immaculate College; Shirley Heaney, Mary Immaculate College; Laura Firth, St. Mary’s Pre-School; Claire Butterly, LINC Programme; Ann Donnellan, LINC Programme; Prof. Emer Ring, Mary Immaculate College; Prof. Dermot Nestor, Mary Immaculate College; Mary Helen O’Brien, St. Gabriel’s and St. Vincent’s; Teresa Heeney, Early Childhood Ireland; Linda Madden, LINC Programme

Pictured left to right (front row): Maxine Ryan, Clare Family Resource Centre; Áine Harrington, Clare Family Resource Centre; Anne O’Byrne, Mary Immaculate College

Leading from Within: Developing a Professional Portfolio for Inclusion in the Early Years

For further information please contact:
Helena Thompson
Marketing, Communications & Recruitment Officer, LINC Programme
T: +353 86 152 5625
E: Helena.Thompson@mic.ul.ie

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