(Ireland) Kerry celebrates becoming 3rd city certified "AUTISM FRIENDLY"
- The end of childhood
- May 1
- 2 min read
May 1, 2025, Independent: Kerry town celebrates becoming the third Irish town to be recognised as autism friendly
Autism Friendly Killarney chairperson Jessica O’Connor said the town’s new status is the result of hard work by local businesses and organisations
A big celebration took place in Killarney last week after it became just the third town in Ireland to be recognised as autism friendly.
The town followed in the footsteps of Clonakilty and Maynooth in being awarded the status of Autism Friendly by charity As I Am.
A major party took place at the Killarney Plaza Hotel in celebration of the designation.
The event was attended by local families, advocates and businesspeople to recognise the collective efforts that have made the town a more inclusive and supportive place for autistic people.
Adam Harris, CEO and founder of the As I Am charity and brother of Tánaiste Simon Harris, also attended the function.
Mr Harris praised the town’s commitment to inclusion at the celebration.
“Today is a testament to what can be achieved when communities come together to embrace and understand neurodiversity. Killarney is leading the way in creating a society where everyone feels they belong,” he said.
The celebration honoured over 30 local champion businesses that have completed training and made meaningful changes to their environments and practices to ensure that autistic individuals and their families feel welcome and supported.
Representatives from the autistic community also shared their experiences, highlighting the positive impact of the town’s initiatives and the importance of continued education, acceptance and collaboration.
The town’s achievement of Autism Friendly status is the result of much voluntary time and effort put in by the Autism Friendly Killarney Committee since it was founded in October 2023.
Jessica O’Connor, chairperson of the committee, said the designation represents just the beginning of Killarney’s journey in building an inclusive society in which everyone can participate.
Ms O’Connor told The Kerryman that accommodations for people with autism and neurodivergence have been made by businesses and organisations throughout Killarney.
For example, some premises hold autism friendly shopping hours, when they may lower lighting and turn off music.
Certain local festivals have included sensory areas for those with autism, so they can still enjoy celebrations.
The upcoming Rally of the Lakes will feature a quiet space on Friday evening for people to inspect the cars involved.
Ms O’Connor said more than 30 local businesses have done special training to ensure they can facilitate all customers.
Certain enterprises provide equal employment opportunities to those who are neurodivergent, and this is an area which the committee will be targeting more this year.
The committee is also aiming to provide more spaces where people from the autism community, and their friends and family, can socialise.
Ms O’Connor praised the hard work of the Autism Friendly Killarney Committee, which includes people of various professions as well as neurodiverse members, that has seen real changes made in the town.
The chairperson said the group has big plans for the near future.
“There is still a lot of work to be done,” Ms O’Connor said.
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