Sensoria

Dublin City Council Sensoria is a celebration of the neurodiverse community through a considered and creative live outdoor event experience in Merrion Square Park, D2 on Sunday 28th April as part of Autism Awareness Month. This FREE ticketed event takes place over two sessions – 11-1:30 pm and 2:30-5 pm.

Following consultation with leading experts in the area of neurodiversity and special needs including AsIAm and Neurodiversity Ireland, Dublin City Council Sensoria is a uniquely curated event which aims to bring about neurodiversity acceptance, equality and inclusion in a safe and open environment.

Dublin City Council Sensoria is a free ticketed event running over two sessions in order to ensure the appropriate number of attendees at all times. Merrion Square Park will be divided into a series of zones featuring a wide range of stimulating or quieter performances, workshops and activities in accordance with the diverse needs of the attendees. These areas include the Main Stage, Workshop & Performance Tent, Street Theatre Zone, Neuro Spectacular!, Aerial Show, Sensory Dome, Sensory Garden, Sensory Messy Play and The Big Dig.

Highlights of the Main Stage include two performances specially commissioned for Dublin City Council Sensoria: ‘Squish, Stomp, Spin – The Magic of Stim’ a world premiere performance by ADHD artist Moss Russell from Cork and ‘Stories from the Half Light: The Fairy Tale Films of Lottie Reineger’ which are sensory silent films with a new live score by composer Matthew Nolan accompanied by Sharon Phelan and Ellie O’Neill.

Go Dance for Change, a cross-cultural collaborative platform using dance, a musical performance from The Meeting Place Club, a centre for young people with special needs in Finglas and Rejoice Gospel Choir will also perform on the Main Stage.

The interactive Workshop & Performance Tent features ‘Voyage’, a Sensory Movement Workshop by Jess Rowell Dance, ‘Dublin as an Inclusive City’ an insightful panel discussion hosted by Dublin Lord Mayor Daithí de Róiste on his vision for making Dublin a Neurodivergent Friendly City and autistic writer Caoimh Connolly Murphy with a presentation on Spell 2 Communicate, his unique method of communication along with a poetry performance. Óga Yoga brings creative, practical and fun yoga to children through the exploration of mindful movement and meditative stillness. Outdoor Drawing Workshops will be hosted by Dublin City Hugh Lane Gallery and Little Gem Puppets bring us the family favourite show Little Red Riding Hood.

The Dublin City Council Sensoria Street Theatre zone focuses on non-verbal street theatre performances which will have particular relevance and appeal for neurodivergent families. Acts on stage include Siolta Circus with ‘On Tish’, Symmetry Circus with ‘What’s Watt’ and Mr H performing acrobatics and juggling. Tumble Circus outdoor aerial circus will perform two shows over the day and roaming acts to enjoy on the go include ‘Out of the Blue’ subversive and interactive circus show about doing the laundry by leading Italian female clown Fra Martó, comic clown Marcel So What, vibrant samba ensemble Morro 16 and CORus Choir, Ireland’s largest adult singing group.

Other features to explore, experience and enjoy at Dublin City Council SENSORIA include:

• Neurospectacular! a space to create via art workshops presented by Dublin City Hugh Lane Gallery.
• A Sensory Dome for families to enjoy quiet, soft and gentle spaces for lounging, rolling, stretching and regulating
• Sensory Garden to connect with nature under the trees enhanced by artist Jane Grove
• Messy Play with tactile art and an Empathy Rock Garden
• Sensory Pods for time for individuals to be quiet and regulate
• Neurodiversity Information Village providing resources from AsIAm, Neurodiversity Ireland and Down Syndrome Ireland amongst others on neurodiversity issues and services in Ireland
• The Big Dig archaeology dig and much, much more.
• Peata Therapy Dogs

Clear signage with symbols and consistent colour schemes and fonts will be used to make the environment comprehensible and accessible for all.