About Us

What is U3A?
Causeway U3A is part of the wider U3A movement, which started in France in 1972 and was adapted for the UK in 1981.
Each U3A is an operationally independent learning charity, registered with the national body, The Third Age Trust. There are now 1046 U3As across the UK, with over 439,000 members. 
For a PDF file with more information about the development of U3A, click here.

Causeway U3A is located on the beautiful north coast of Northern Ireland in the so-called Triangle Area around the towns of Coleraine, Portrush and Portstewart.

 To go to a page with committee contact details, click  Committee .


Causeway U3A
Causeway U3A was founded in 1995 and since then has grown from 8 to over 1200 members, making it one of the largest in Northern Ireland.
Causeway U3A aims to provide low cost continued learning in an enjoyable way for those of us in the so-called Third Age - the retired and semi-retired.
Anybody in their third age can join U3A and this includes people who are working part-time. There is no lower age for membership.

The Third Age Trust
The Third Age Trust is the national support and advisory body for U3A in the UK.  Set up in 1982, it is both a Registered Charity and a Limited Company.  Individual U3As form the membership of the Trust and it is directed by the volunteer National Executive Committee (NEC).  The National Office in London employs paid full- and part-time staff to provide services to members.
For a PDF with more information about the Trust, click here.
To go to the Trust website, click www.u3a.org.uk.
Nordic Walking in Ballycastle

Ever popular bridge!
U3A in N. Ireland
There are currently 25 U3As in Northern Ireland, located across the province and ranging in size from around 50 to over 1200 members. The oldest is U3A Foyle, founded in 1990, while the newest is Ards Peninsula, set up in 2018. 
The Northern Ireland Regional Executive Committee (NIREC) helps organise a wide range of inter-U3A events.  For a PDF with more information on U3A in the region, click here. 
To go to the regional website, click https://u3ani.info.
Causeway members at a 
reception with President Michael D. Higgins in Áras an Uachtaráin
U3A in Ireland
While U3As in Northern Ireland come under the auspices of the Third Age Trust, there are another 25 U3As in the Republic of Ireland which are also part of the international movement, but separate from the UK Third Age Trust.  Instead, Age Action Ireland acts as the national body.  For more information, click and search for U3A in this link www.ageaction.ie.
The NI Region maintains contact with Age Action Ireland and invites them and individual U3As from the Republic to their events.
Causeway member Stuart Pollard (then NI Regional Trustee) discussing U3A with President Higgins.