Laois to host first ever regional festival celebrating neurodiversity

Pictured: Iryna Yermak (All Abilities Ireland), Mary Connell (Dyslexia Early Intervention), Ciara O’Gorman (All Abilities Ireland), Catherine Dolan (ADHD Ireland), Suzanne Carroll, (Senior Executive Librarian LCC), Nicola Coss (All Abilities Ireland), Cllr Barry Walsh, Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, Bernie Foran (Laois County Librarian), Pat Wallis (LOETB Creative Youth Co-ordinator), David Broderick (Creative Ireland Laois) and Catherine Delaney (All Abilities Ireland) with stilt walker Shannon from The Cats Pyjamas. Photo: Alf Harvey.

placeholder image — Pictured: Iryna Yermak (All Abilities Ireland), Mary Connell (Dyslexia Early Intervention), Ciara O’Gorman (All Abilities Ireland), Catherine Dolan (ADHD Ireland), Suzanne Carroll, (Senior Executive Librarian LCC), Nicola Coss (All Abilities Ireland), Cllr Barry Walsh, Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, Bernie Foran (Laois County Librarian), Pat Wallis (LOETB Creative Youth Co-ordinator), David Broderick (Creative Ireland Laois) and Catherine Delaney (All Abilities Ireland) with stilt walker Shannon from The Cats Pyjamas. Photo: Alf Harvey.

The NeuroArt Family Festival will take place this August

The Midlands’ first ever festival celebrating neurodiversity will take place in Portlaoise this August.

The inaugural NeuroArt Family Festival was launched at An Dún Outdoor Space in Portlaoise on Tuesday, June 16.

The NeuroArt Festival is a creative and inclusive event for people of all ages and abilities.

The festival will allow people to explore art, music, movement, sensory-friendly activities and outdoor fun.

Launching the NeuroArt Family Festival David Broderick (Creative Ireland Laois), Nicola Coss (All Abilities Ireland), Suzanne Carroll, (Senior Executive Librarian LCC), Cllr Barry Walsh, Pat Wallis (LOETB Creative Youth Co-ordinator) and Bernie Foran (Laois County Librarian) at the launch of the NeuroArt Festival. Photo: Alf Harvey. | Launching the NeuroArt Family Festival David Broderick (Creative Ireland Laois), Nicola Coss (All Abilities Ireland), Suzanne Carroll, (Senior Executive Librarian LCC), Cllr Barry Walsh, Pat Wallis (LOETB Creative Youth Co-ordinator) and Bernie Foran (Laois County Librarian) at the launch of the NeuroArt Festival. Photo: Alf Harvey.

NeuroArt Family Festival is led by All Abilities Ireland and supported by Creative Ireland, Laois County Council, LOETB and the HSE.

The festival will take place on Saturday, August 22 from 11am to 5pm at the Old Fort Quarter in Portlaoise. There will also be a quiet hour from 11am to 12pm.

This family-friendly festival celebrates neurodiversity and everyone is encouraged to take part in ways that feel comfortable for them. Some activities are calm and sensory-friendly, while others are lively, playful or hands-on.

There will also be community talks, creative workshops, quiet zones, and social spaces.

Some of the art activities planned include spray painting, collage, clay modelling and mixed media creation.

Iryna Yermak (All Abilities Ireland), Nicola Coss (All Abilities Ireland), Artist Avii Knight, Catherine Dolan (ADHD Ireland), Catherine Delaney (All Abilities Ireland) and Mary Connell (Dyslexia Early Intervention). Photo: Alf Harvey. | Iryna Yermak (All Abilities Ireland), Nicola Coss (All Abilities Ireland), Artist Avii Knight, Catherine Dolan (ADHD Ireland), Catherine Delaney (All Abilities Ireland) and Mary Connell (Dyslexia Early Intervention). Photo: Alf Harvey.

There will also be inclusive dance jams, music therapy and expressive movement, as well as improvisation games, giant building blocks and science experiments.

Children will also be able to play dress up with costumes as well make jewellery and homemade bean bags.

There will also be lots of local performers there on the day, with stilt walkers, jugglers and bubble artists.

People can enjoy spotlight sessions for neurodiverse artists and community groups, musical and dance performances, as well as a spoken word and creative competition.

Pat Wallis (LOETB Creative Youth Co-ordinator) and David Broderick (Creative Ireland Laois). Photo: Alf Harvey. | Pat Wallis (LOETB Creative Youth Co-ordinator) and David Broderick (Creative Ireland Laois). Photo: Alf Harvey.

Festival-goers can also get involved with the community mural created on the day, a collective storytelling chain, and a collective drumming and rhythm session.

Everyone’s needs will be catered to, with all abilities chill and sensory spaces, a quiet sensory room with soft lighting and tactile materials, messy play corners, and noise-cancelling options.

To top it all off, there will be some local food vendors.

Speaking at the festival launch, Nicola Coss, Project Manager of All Abilities Ireland, said: “We’re delighted to launch the NeuroArt Family Festival today. Creating a day where we can celebrate neurodiversity, offer opportunities for parents to connect and a space for young people to explore a range of activities, sometimes for the first time, is important to us.

“An event like this has never been seen before in the Midlands. We hope as many families as possible come, get involved on the day and enjoy everything it has to offer.”