World Autism Month in Dublin: Your guide from Mansion House to Merrion Square
To commemorate Autism awareness month there’s plenty of neurodivergent friendly events happening across Dublin this April.
With Dublin City Council , the autism charity AsIAm, and various organisations around Dublin all working together to achieve the goal of becoming the first autism friendly capital in the world , more and more there are events catered to the needs of Autistic people in the city. From inclusive coffee mornings to an entire family festival, Dublin is leading the way when it comes to accessibility, inclusivity, and understanding.
Trim Castle Hotel in County Meath is hosting a coffee morning on World Autism Awareness Day with all donations going directly to Trim Autism Friendly Town. The Coffee Morning is an opportunity for the local community to come together in support of autism awareness and inclusion.
Darrell Penney, General Manager of Trim Castle Hotel, said the hotel are proud to support the local community group and is encouraging people to attend: “The Trim Castle Hotel coffee morning on April 2 is another way for us to bring people together, raise awareness and show our ongoing support for creating a more inclusive community. We’re looking forward to welcoming families, the business community and our community representatives to a great event.”
To mark World Autism Month, AsIAm, proudly supported by PTSB, are calling on people to support the Autistic community in their annual Same Chance Walk for Autism.
This year’s walk will be bigger than ever with new locations in the East and West of Ireland, bringing communities together to support Autistic people and their families.
On Sunday, 12th April, AsIAm flagship walks will take place at Belmont Demesne, Greystones, Co. Wicklow and Kylemore Abbey, Connemara, Co, Galway .
People of all ages and abilities are invited to join with friends and family, by coming together to show support for Autism inclusion. Alongside walking together, family fun will be provided, and the AsIAm team will be on hand to meet as many of you as possible.
In 2023 Dublin City Council announced its partnership with AsIAm to adopt the Autism-Friendly Town framework aimed at removing barriers in day-to-day life so that Autistic people have the same chance to live, learn, work and play in their local community. Since then, those involved in the Dublin City Autism Friendly Capital project have been actively preparing their three-year action plan to turn Dublin into the first autism friendly capital.
Speaking with Dublin Live about the project’s aims, Autism-Friendly City Officer for Dublin City Maeve Gilmore revealed they plan to officially launch the plan in the Mansion House on April 16. This ambitious plan is based on six high-level goals, which aim to transform Dublin into a city where Autistic people have the same chance to live, learn, work and play in their local community.
The neurodivergent family friendly festival Sensoria returns to Merrion Square Park this April. As an annual inclusive cultural experience, for the past three years Dublin City Council has supported this carefully curated programme of live performances, workshops, and sensory experiences.
This free ticketed festival is structured around three relaxed two-hour sessions each day, the event is designed to ensure a comfortable, non-crowded experience for all. The final sessions of each day will feature a slightly older teen and young adult focused programme to expand the festival's reach while remaining accessible to all ages.
A full programme of events with access information, maps and guidance on all aspects of the festival will be made available nearer the festival dates to ensure the best possible experience.
This content is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme