Dublin City Council Sensoria

This event has ended

Merrion Square Park, Saturday 26th April - Sunday 27th April

Neurodivergent Friendly Festival returns for a two-day run this April. Reserve your FREE tickets now.

Following on from a hugely successful 2024 event, Dublin City Council is delighted to welcome back Dublin City Council Sensoria to Merrion Square Park this April! Two full days of fun, laughter & learning through a thoughtfully curated, neurodivergent friendly programme suitable for all ages. This much anticipated, free, ticketed event will take place over three sessions each day, with each session running for 2 hours.

Guests of all ages are invited to select their preferred day and time slot and reserve tickets to the family friendly, capacity-controlled event taking place on April 26th & 27th. Visitors can expect an immersive event, catering to all age ranges and tailored to a whole range of comfort levels and interests. There’s something for everyone at Dublin City Council Sensoria, providing a fantastic opportunity for the whole family to come along and enjoy the day together.

At the Main Stage, settle in and prepare to be amazed by the Strong Women Science Show and the awe-inspiring Magic Show or check out a selection of exciting and uplifting music and dance performances from acclaimed artists of the Neurodiverse Community including Artist Moss Russell, Musician Patrick Stefan and Singer Songwriter Aengus Devine. Make sure to stop by the Aerial Stage for the Tumble Circus Cabaret Circus too.

Over in the Movement Tent, why not get involved in a Yoga or Dance class with DCC Sports Inclusion Officers or for something really different, join Fruity & Dishy for an extra special juggling and plate spinning class! Creative minds are sure to enjoy the Arts & Craft area, designed to get your artistic flow going in the natural surrounds of the park, while Neurospectacular! presented by Dublin City Hugh Lane Gallery will provide a space to create via workshops throughout Saturday’s event. For some quieter time, why not wander into the reading zone, featuring the Dublin City Council Library Bus plus plenty of space to enjoy a good read with books for all ages and abilities including some specially selected dyslexia friendly reads.

Brand new for 2025 is the Aromatherapy Tent which is sure to be a huge hit with all ages. Explore the different benefits of essential oils and learn all about how aromatherapy can help with physical and emotional wellbeing, before creating a scent of your very own to take home as a souvenir of your fantastic day at Dublin City Council Sensoria.

In consideration of the diverse needs of event attendees, Dublin City Council Sensoria will also feature multiple areas for relaxation and self-regulation including a sensory garden, both adult & child friendly regulation spaces, ideal for anybody who may need to take some time away from the festivities as well as a sensory tent and large soft play area, perfect for burning off any extra energy. Both The Sensory Tent & Soft Play areas will be managed by on site OT’s throughout each day. Back once again for the 2025 festivities, The Big Dig is also sure to be super popular with all budding archaeologists too!

Once again, the Neurodiversity Information Village will be on site providing vital resources and information from AsIAm, Neurodiversity Ireland, ADHD Ireland, Dyslexia Ireland & Autism Assistance Dogs, so make sure to stop by for a chat with their teams.

Don’t be surprised if you meet some very colourful characters as you wander through the park too – there’ll be some fairy and pirate guests as well as a juggler and stilt walker ready to keep you entertained as you decide what you wish to experience next!

Using learnings from the 2024 event, Dublin City Council Sensoria has been produced in consultation with a selection of experts and stakeholders including AsIam, Neurodiversity Ireland, ADHD Ireland & Dyslexia Ireland. This years’ event aims to champion neurodiversity acceptance, equality and inclusion in a safe and open environment.


Date:
Saturday 26th April - Sunday 27th April
Time:
10am-12pm, 12.30pm-2:30pm & 3pm-5pm
Price:
Free Ticketed Event
Address:
Merrion Square Park, Merrion Square East, Dublin, Ireland

Google Map of Merrion Square Park, Merrion Square East, Dublin, Ireland

You might also like...

What's on

Culture Date with Dublin 8

Various Locations

Culture Date with Dublin 8 is a neighbourhood initiative, which aims to celebrate Dublin 8’s rich cultural, historical and architectural heritage while encouraging people who are living, working and visiting the area to explore what is on their doorstep. This collaborative project and programme of events aims to connect with and amplify the wider efforts being made to regenerate the area, highlighting all the great things there are to see and do in Dublin 8 to locals and visitors alike. This years event takes place from Wednesday 7th to Sunday 11th May.

What's on

The Connective Detective Exhibition

Trinity College

The Academy of the Near Future is delighted to invite you to the inaugural Connective Detective Exhibition on 9th & 10th May at Trinity College Dublin, featuring smart city prototypes from the next generation of innovators—and much more! At the exhibition, you’ll discover how telecommunications infrastructure, connectivity, and smart city technologies work and how they are used in Dublin. You’ll also get to see smart city prototypes designed by our young innovators during the workshops, which we are very proud of! But that’s not all! Visitors are invited to share their ideas,

What's on

PhizzFest

Phibsborough

Phizzfest is a voluntary arts organisation, placing arts and community at the heart of what it means to live in Phibsborough. Our purpose is to create space for people to connect through arts and cultural engagement. Phizzfest was established in 2009 as a local community response to the recession, with the aim of uniting the community through the creative arts and restoring pride of place in Phibsborough, an area that had been neglected for years. It is an award-winning festival that has been staging arts and community events in Phibsborough since 2010. Reimagining Phibsborough is a strand