The European Higher Education Society (EAIR) proudly announces its 2025 Annual Forum, set to take place at Utrecht University from the 27th to the 29th of August 2025. Under the timely theme “Openness: a Mission Challenged,” the conference will convene global leaders in higher education to explore the resilience and adaptability of universities amid evolving global pressures.
Travelling from Europe
Visitors from Europe can travel via Eurostar from Paris to London and from there by train to Wales and by boat to Dublin. Travellers can then take the train or bus to Cork. Alternatively, there is a daily boat connection from Roscoff or Calais (in Northern France) directly to Ringaskiddy, Cork.
Link for Direct Ferries: https://www.directferries.ie/
Travelling from the UK
There are ways to travel to and from Ireland without flying, as there are train and bus services that link with ferry services across the Irish Sea which connect several ports in England, Wales and Scotland with Irish ferry ports of Rosslare, Dublin or Belfast with ongoing travel by car, bus or train.
Cross County Rail Services
Where taking a flight is necessary, attendees are encouraged to consider direct flights to Ireland (Cork, Dublin) airports and to use cross country rail services where a direct flight to Cork is not possible.
Link for Irish rail: https://www.irishrail.ie/en-ie/
Travel options in Cork
Cork is a city where active travel options are both available and encouraged – walking and cycling. Visitors to Cork City can get a 3 day TFI bike subscription.
Link to TFI Bike Subscription: https://www.bikeshare.ie/pricing-and-subscriptions.html
All accommodation options and EAIR Forum venues in Cork can be accessed easily by foot.
Offsetting Travel Emissions
Forum attendees are invited to offset the unfavourable impact of air travel by combining attendance at the Cork forum with other meetings in Ireland, the UK and Europe.
Forum attendees who wish to consider sustainable travel options may also wish to combine their attendance at the Cork EAIR Forum with their annual holiday and by so doing minimise the number of air flights taken in 2024.