New festival for Portlaoise this summer
Launching the NeuroArt Family Festival are Iryna Yermak (All Abilities Ireland); Mary Connell (Dyslexia Early Intervention); Ciara O’Gorman (All Abilities Ireland); Catherine Dolan (ADHD Ireland); Suzanne Carroill, (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
A COLOURFUL new festival in Portlaoise this summer will be the first of its kind in the midlands.
The NeuroArt Family Festival on Saturday 22 August will celebrate neurodiversity, with free sensory-friendly activities for people of all ages and abilities.
Described by organisers as ‘a warm, creative and inclusive event’, the festival will feature art, music, movement, creative activities and outdoor fun, all at people’s own pace.
Led by All Abilities Ireland, the inaugural festival was launched on 16 June at An Dún (The Fort) outdoor space and promises a packed programme of events, ranging from dance displays and stilt-walkers to local food vendors, workshops, storytelling and musical performances. Some activities are calm and sensory-friendly, while others are lively, playful or hands-on.
The NeuroArt Festival will run from 11am to 5pm in the Old Fort Quarter, with a quiet hour from 11am until noon. There will also be community talks, creative workshops, quiet zones, social spaces and opportunities to learn, connect and feel supported.
Speaking at the festival launch, All Abilities Ireland project manager Nicola Coss said: “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.”
:
• Spray painting, collage, clay modelling, and mixed-media creations.
• Inclusive dance jams, music therapy and expressive movement.
• Improvisation games, giant building blocks and science experiments
• Creative reuse activities: kids costume/dress-up swap, embroidered scarves, jewellery making, homemade bean bags.
:
• Spotlight sessions for neurodiverse artists and community groups
• Stilt walkers, jugglers and bubble artists
• Musical performances
• Dance pieces - breakdancing, pompom and batons and céili sets
• Spoken word and creative writing competition
• A community mural created by festival visitors
• A collective storytelling chain built one piece at a time
• A collective drumming and rhythm session performed throughout the day
:
• Quiet sensory room with soft lighting and tactile materials
• Messy play corners and tactile exploration activities
• Noise-cancelling options
• Visual schedules and guides.
:
• Local food vendors
• Picnic areas and open seating spaces
• Get a photo in a real Fire Engine!
NeuroArt festival is supported by Creative Ireland, Laois Co Council, LOETB and the HSE. Free tickets are available on the allabilities.ie website.
