News
How Killarney is making a difference for autistic people
Autism Friendly Killarney has launched a new six-part video series showcasing how the town’s community, schools, event organisers and businesses are working together to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for autistic people.
Alongside the video series, Autism Friendly Killarney has also launched a new website, a central hub of information for Autistic people, their families and visitors to the town.
The video series, available on Autism Friendly Killarney’s Instagram and website, highlights simple yet powerful ways in which Killarney is adapting from sensory-friendly environments and visual supports to sensory accommodations, welcoming assistance dogs, staff training and event modifications demonstrating that small changes can make a big difference.
It also features heartfelt insights from families who share how these initiatives have opened up new opportunities for family connection and community participation.
The newly launched website autismfriendlykillarney.com, brings together information on autism-friendly accommodation providers, restaurants, shops, healthcare services, events and activity providers across Killarney.
It is designed to help autistic people and their families plan visits with confidence, knowing what supports and accommodations are available in advance.
Killarney’s Autism Friendly Champions: local businesses and organisations that have completed autism awareness training with AsIAm, Ireland’s leading autism charity, have made meaningful changes to better support people with autism and their families.
In the video series, four of these champions: Portwest, Ponytails, Ross Castle Boat Tours and Hotel Killarney showcase how they have adapted their businesses to be more autism-friendly such as offering sensory cubbies, neutral interior design and lighting, supplying sensory boxes, having dedicated autism friendly hours with reduced sensory experiences, offering step by step visual aids, etc.
Jessica O’Connor, Chair of Autism Friendly Killarney said: “We hope these videos along with our new website, will give confidence to people with autism and their families who live in or are visiting Killarney.
We want them to know that they will be supported, understood, and welcomed here.
These videos show that Killarney is really living the ethos of inclusivity and access for all.
We are very grateful for the financial support provided by Kerry County Council through the Community Support Fund 2025 and to Killarney Chamber of Commerce for their continued support.”
Tony Fleming from Ross Castle Boat Tours explains the changes they made to their boat trips to support people with autism. “We’ve made small changes that have had a big impact.
Our boat is longer and wider for easier movement, and we have a neurodiverse box on board with earplugs and sunglasses.
We also provide quiet and early-morning tours so guests can enjoy the lake at their own pace. Seeing the smiles at the end of the trip is what it’s all about.”
VIDEOS
Two videos offer personal insights, both from the perspective of a young boy with autism and a parent of a child with autism.
Luke, a pupil from St Oliver’s National School, shares what makes him feel welcome and understood in his school and in the local town.
While Deirdre Prendergast, a parent of a boy with autism, reflects on the positive impact that a town that embraces neurodiversity with kindness and empathy has on her family.
She says, “It has made the world of difference to us as a family that so many events and businesses in Killarney are now autism-friendly. We are able to attend events that we would never have been able to before, such as the Christmas in Killarney parade. We were able to enjoy it together as there was a dedicated space with sensory items to keep him occupied and in case he had an overload. He loves cars and we were able to go to a special evening at the Rally of the Lakes this year where everyone understood what autism was and he was able to get into a car. Because of the autism-friendly initiatives at events, my other son can now enjoy events with all the family, not just him and one parent. We can now enjoy things together as a family and it makes our lives so much easier.”
In February last year Killarney was awarded the Autism Friendly Town Award from AsIAm, just the third town in Ireland to receive this accolade.
This is testament to the work of the voluntary autism-friendly group who have worked tirelessly to ensure that Killarney’s festivals and public spaces are accessible and sensory-friendly and that local businesses are adapting the way they work to accommodate people with autism.
MEET UPS
This has included sensory friendly film screenings, group meet-ups for families with children with autism, sensory rooms in public buildings and awareness-raising days.
Dedicated quiet and sensory areas have also been created at major community events including The St. Patrick’s Day parade, the Christmas in Killarney parades, the Wander Wild Festival, the Rally of the Lakes, Killarney’s Samhain Procession, BikeFest, Rewild, and the town’s Sensory Friendly Walk and AbleFest Festival.
These initiatives have made a profound difference, helping families take part in the magic of Killarney’s festivals, knowing there is space to rest, recharge, and feel safe.
To watch the videos or to see a list of autism-friendly accommodation providers, restaurants, shops, healthcare services, and activity providers in Killarney, go to www.autismfriendlykillarney.com or Instagram.
Call for urgent child protection funding at Killarney conference
Frontline child protection and welfare services are facing an unprecedented crisis due to a surge in cases and limited resources, key speakers warned at a national conference in Killarney on Wednesday.
The final event of National End Child Poverty Week took place at the KCYS Youth Centre in Killarney, bringing together child welfare experts, legal professionals, and social workers to examine child protection, welfare, and alternative care.
Addressing delegates ahead of Budget 2027, Tanya Ward, Chief Executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance, warned against proposed spending cuts across government departments that deliver core family supports.
“For politicians to speak about their prioritisation of the protection and safety of children in recent weeks, while at the same time committing to levying the Departments that deliver those protection, welfare and family support services is just not right,” Tanya Ward said. “The levies, which are intended to shoulder an ‘overspend’ by the department of education through cuts across other departments, could not come at a worse time. They essentially ask critical services to children to pare back, to do more with less – at a time when these services are completely stretched thin trying to meet the demand for support.”
Figures released at the conference revealed that referrals to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, have doubled over the past decade. The agency received a record 106,444 referrals in 2025. That upward trend has continued into 2026, with 28,800 referrals logged in the first three months of the year—an 11 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2025.
“Tusla and its support services are the last safety net for vulnerable children and families,” Tanya Ward added. “We need to be seeing significant increased investment to ensure we have a child protection system that is fit for purpose and can meet the needs of the children behind these figures who are facing battles such as neglect, emotional, physical or sexual abuse, trauma and deprivation.”
Chaired by Julie Ahern, Director of Legal, Policy and Services at the Children’s Rights Alliance, the conference featured keynote contributions from Kate Duggan, Chief Executive Officer of Tusla, and Dr Aisling Parkes, Special Rapporteur on Child Protection and Senior Lecturer in Law at UCC.
Additional speakers included Denise Kirwan, Partner at Comyn Kelleher Tobin Solicitors; social worker Thomas O’Driscoll; Seamus Whitty, CEO of KCYS; and Sinéad Roe, Intensive Family Support Co-ordinator at KCYS.
The Children’s Rights Alliance is calling on the Government to deliver a dedicated “Children’s Budget” for 2027. Key demands include increasing Tusla’s overall funding to expand social work staff across 30 new network areas, funding the rollout of the forthcoming National Policy Framework on Alternative Care, and increasing the proportion of Tusla’s budget directed to early intervention and community family support by three percentage points annually over five years.
News
Killarney Camera Club has published a special commemorative booklet featuring 25 images to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
Camera Club marks silver anniversary with publication
Killarney Camera Club has published a special commemorative booklet featuring 25 images to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
The publication showcases select photographs representing the work of members throughout the club’s quarter-century history. Members past and present gathered for the official launch at the Anam Arts and Cultural Centre on September 3.
The club holds fortnightly meetings featuring guest speakers, internal presentations, and practical demonstrations. Regular group outings take place across the region, including locations such as Dingle, the Black Valley, and Gougane Barra, alongside open competitions and public exhibitions.
Members also contribute to community initiatives, capturing local events such as the annual Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle.
Copies of the commemorative booklet are available for €15 through the club secretary or at Eason. Further information on membership and upcoming activities is available via killarneycameraclub.ie.
Call for urgent child protection funding at Killarney conference
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Killarney Camera Club has published a special commemorative booklet featuring 25 images to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
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