Come & join us for a range of colourful events for all the family

A Celebration of Creativity, Inclusion & Community

NeuroArt Family Festival is led by All Abilities Ireland and supported by Creative Ireland, Laois County Council, LOETB-Local Creative Youth Partnership and the HSE, National Lottery.

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.

📅 Saturday, 22 August 2026

🕚 11:00am – 5:00pm

📍 Old Fort Quarter, Portlaoise, Co. Laois

🎟 FREE Event | Registration Recommended

Join us for the Midlands' first NeuroArt Family Festival – a vibrant celebration of creativity, neurodiversity and community, organised by All Abilities Ireland in partnership with Creative Ireland Laois and local community partners. The festival has been created to provide a welcoming, inclusive and enjoyable experience for people of all ages and abilities.

Whether you're coming with family, friends or on your own, you'll discover a day filled with creativity, music, movement, learning and connection in a relaxed and supportive environment.

Sensory-Friendly Hour (11:00am – 12:00pm)

To help everyone feel comfortable, the festival begins with a dedicated quiet hour featuring:

• Reduced noise and lower stimulation

• Smaller visitor numbers

• Calm activities

• Access to quiet and sensory spaces

• A relaxed atmosphere for anyone who benefits from a gentler start to the day

Everyone is welcome throughout the entire festival.

Festival Highlights

Throughout the day you can enjoy:

🎨 Creative art workshops

Painting, comics, collage, clay, spray art, jewellery making and collaborative art projects.

🎵 Group Music & Performance

Community drumming, storytelling, dance, circus performers, stilt walkers, juggling and interactive performances.

💃 Movement & Wellbeing

Inclusive movement sessions, dance activities, sports, music therapy and opportunities to explore creativity through movement.

🧩 Science & Discovery

Hands-on science experiments, creative problem-solving activities and interactive demonstrations.

🌿 Sensory & Quiet Space

Dedicated calming areas with soft lighting, tactile resources, visual supports and sensory-friendly environments for rest and regulation.

🤝 Community Connections

Meet local organisations, discover supports available in your community and attend short talks for parents and families. ADHD Ireland, Dyslexia-Early Intervention, LOFFA, Child Vision, Portlaoise Holistic Centre, Barry Williams - Reflexologist

🍔 Food & Social Areas

Enjoy local food vendors, picnic spaces and relaxed areas to connect with others.

Featured Activities Include

• Interactive music workshops

• Community drumming

• Comic illustration workshops

• Inclusive sports sessions

• Creative storytelling

• Upcycling and craft activities

• Science discovery experiences

• Community mural creation

• Bubble artists

• Fire Engine photo opportunities

• Group music performances throughout the day

• Festival closing performance by Irish pop artist AVII KNIGHT.

Accessibility

NeuroArt has been designed with accessibility and inclusion at its heart.

The festival includes:

• Quiet and sensory spaces

• Visual schedules and signage

• Flexible participation in activities

• Accessible outdoor venue

• Inclusive workshops suitable for different ages and abilities

• Friendly volunteers available throughout the day to help visitors enjoy the festival.

Who is this event for?

Everyone.

The festival welcomes:

• Neurodivergent children, teenagers and adults

• Families and carers

• Friends and supporters

• Schools and community groups

• Anyone who enjoys creativity and inclusive community events

No previous experience is needed—just come along, explore at your own pace and enjoy the day.

Important Information

• FREE admission

• Registration is higly recommended ( we reserve a right to close entrance if it gets too crowded , but don’t worry, we will let everyone in :)

• Outdoor event (please dress appropriately for the weather)

• Food and refreshments will be available to purchase

• Parking information will be shared with registered attendees closer to the event

Come and experience a day where creativity is celebrated, differences are embraced, and everyone belongs.

We can't wait to welcome you to NeuroArt Family Festival 2026.

See you there!

If you wish to work with us or see what else we do, please check us out on https://www.allabilities.ie/ or complete our expression of interest form to volunteer, sponsor or perform.

Link: https://forms.gle/dQ5ix65MT2TxJce57

GDPR: All Abilities Ireland will not share your personal information with third parties. Your details will be used only for the administration of the NeuroArt Family Festival and any related follow-up communication, such as event resources or a feedback survey. You may opt out of these communications at any time via Eventbrite.

Description supplied by the event organiser.