This year’s St Patrick’s Festival will introduce a new Relaxed Parade Space in Galway City, designed to offer a calm and welcoming viewing area for individuals with sensory needs and anyone who may benefit from a quieter environment. This dedicated space will include extra room to move comfortably, nearby toilet access, and encouragement for attendees to use protective earmuffs or any supports that help them enjoy the parade in a way that feels right for them.
Speaking in relation to the launch, Adam Harris CEO of AsIAm, commented, "AsIAm is delighted to support Galway's St Patrick's Day Parade through the creation of a relaxed space which will enable Autistic children, adults and families have the same chance to enjoy the festivities in the heart of Galway City. Our relaxed space will support those who access it to have a more predictable, comfortable and judgement free celebration on a day where the sensory environment, plans and crowds can be inaccessible for many in our community. We are particularly delighted to be collaborating with Galway City Council as we recently opened a Community Support Hub in Liosbaun Industrial estate providing free appointment and group-based supports to Autistic people across the life cycle, we look forward to engaging with local families on this offering as we mark our national day."
The festival team extends sincere thanks to Mercy Primary School for kindly accommodating this new Initiative; to AsIAm, Ireland’s Autism Charity; and the Access Team at Galway City Council, whose expertise has been central to its development.
Speaking about the launch, Louise Osborne, Festival and Events Officer, Galway City Council, said, “We want the parade to be welcoming to everyone in our community and this is a wonderful and much‑needed development for the festival. We are very grateful to Adam Harris and the team at ASIAM for assisting us in getting the ball rolling with this space, and we hope that it will become a permanent fixture of the St Patrick’s Parade into the future.”
Places in the Relaxed Parade Space are limited, and those wishing to attend are asked to register in advance by emailing Events@GalwayCity.ie
