Play Video about Neuroconvergence

Neuroconvergence 2024 is a festival gathering to launch a new collective neurodivergent community concept. The Festival will take place from 2pm-6pm on the 22nd of June 2024 at Richmond Barracks. This is a free event with the support of Dublin City Council.

We are planning an event that will break down barriers and bring people together for meaningful conversation, encounters and celebration.

Join us for a summer solstice party with music, performance, comedy, panel discussions, conversations and more. A more sensitive, inclusive, caring and fully supported society for all is a win for all!

This is a neurodivergent-led event for individuals and families. There will be events and activities to suit all ages as well as access to sensory and take a break spaces as needed.

All are welcome to this free event!

In addition to the Festival, Neuroconvergence 2024 includes a facilitated planning meeting of key stakeholders with Connect The Dots from 12-2pm. If you are an organisation/individual with an interest in developing networks and supports across all areas of neurodivergence, please contact popuphappenings@gmail.com.

Frequently Asked questions

Line up

Artists & Performers

Chequerboard

A Japanese garden is a fitting metaphor for the music of Chequerboard. This music is raked, and tended to, with such focus and care that each sound rises and falls in its own being without ever losing purpose or beauty. Peace reigns, and the acoustic heart of John Lambert’s guitar beats contently and evenly through the veins of the partaker.

With the release of his 4th album under the Chequerboard moniker Lambert continues to build an audience for his understated but powerful take on guitar music that speaks directly to the heart of its audience.

Cillian O’Connor

Magician Cillian O’Connor is a Britain’s Got Talent Finalist with over 500 million views online, an Autism Awareness Key Speaker, and a talented performer.

Young magician Cillian is taking the world by storm with mesmerising performances and a passion for creating magic. He’s made headlines with his astounding appearance on Britain’s Got Talent, which garnered a whopping 500 million views online. But he’s not just about entertainment. Cillian is also a passionate advocate for autism awareness. His inspiring TEDx & Stanford University Talk on his personal journey with autism has touched the hearts of many and has made him a sought-after speaker on this important topic.

His incredible performances have not only wowed audiences in his home country but have also taken him across the world to the United States and Monte Carlo, where Cillian left spectators spellbound with his illusions.

Fionnathan

Fionn and Jonathan are Fionnathan, a son and father team with chromosomal enhancement (aka Down syndrome). Accomplishments include adventures around the world, from the Amazon to Zanzibar; two front page Irish Times photos; multiple TV appearances; teaching nature studies to over 10,000 children; and a Fellowship at Harvard Law School (really). They’ve filmed over 700 interviews for Youtube’s “Fionnathan Presents the Happiness Project”.

They’re stand-up comedy novices, including an Edinburgh Fringe residency. (One show had zero audience - just the chuckling soundman.)

Fionn is the first person with Down Syndrome to be appointed to the board of Down Syndrome Ireland in the organisation's 60 year history.

As Ambassadors for both the Inclusive Research Group and Citizen Network, they seek a world where everyone matters.

Moss Russell

This is the tale of a fairy - the silliest, most creative and colourful fairy in all of Ireland. But it isn’t a fairytale! It’s a story about stimming, a neurosparkly look at being yourself and asking for what you need. Una is on a quest to stop King Dirch from ruining everything with his dreary demands for normalness. Along the way, you can join her as she tries out different stims to feel through some big emotions and save fairy freedom!

Méabh McKenna

Utilising the harp, voice, electronics and percussion, she is a multi-instrumental sound artist based in Dublin city. Drawing on years of experimentation and collaboration, her live performances have evolved from traversing the eclectic worlds of traditional, classical, and early music, intuitively weaving them with contemporary and electronic elements. Her solo project forges a sound world of mycelial improvisation and memory, connecting the ancient with the futuristic to make a music of resonance and reflection that’s entirely her own.

Ellie O’Neill

Ellie O’Neill is an songwriter, vocalist and recording artist from Co. Meath. Her work is tender, rich and original, and explores intimacy, loss, friendship and queerness. She is currently working on her debut album, and performing in a solo capacity regularly around Ireland and further afield. At the moment she is interested in the poems of Minnie Bruce Pratt, sea swimming, and laughing.

Matthew Nolan

Matthew Nolan is a Dublin based musician, composer, academic and curator. He has produced new work in collaboration with some of the finest musicians around, both Irish and international. He has worked on commissions from a range of prestigious performing arts institutions, including National Gallery of Ireland, BAM and Film at Lincoln Centre in New York, The National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., Kilkenny Arts Festival, Bram Stoker Festival, and the St Patrick’s Festival. His most recent projects were presented at MoLI in Dublin as part of their Ulysses centenary project and at the New York Film Festival. 2024 will see the release of Pomes Penyeach by Universal Music, produced in collaboration with Adrian Crowley and based on James Joyce’s short book of poetry.

Sharon Phelan

Sharon Phelan is a Dublin-based artist, writer and musician specialising in digital media and sound. Her practice researches resonance and poetics of place, often in site-responsive and collaborative projects. Her ongoing project, Vocal Artefacts, explores ways of listening and expanded notions of voice through artistic research, field recordings and sound essays.

Ian Lynam

Ian is a AuDHD comedian who has performed at Knockanstockan, Wexford Pride, Kaleidoscope and the Paddy Power Comedy Festival. His solo show, Autistic License debuted to a sell-out run in Dublin Fringe 2021 and had a four-star run in the Edinburgh Fringe 2022. He runs a monthly disability-themed show, Spoons, every month in the Hysteria Comedy Club.

Louisa Ní Éideáin

Louisa is a bi-lingual writer and performer (Gaeilge and English) based in Dublin. In 2022, Louisa received an adult diagnosis of ADHD and reacted by writing a one-woman show, Dopa-Mean Girl. The show had a sold out run in the Dublin Fringe Festival 2023,and won the First Fortnight Award. A trained musician, she infuses her comedic performances with catchy songs. Louisa is a regular contributor on Newstalk’s Splanc and has appeared on various shows on TG4.

Louisa is passionate about creating a neuro-inclusive society and is excited to be a part of this Neuroconvergence event and all it can achieve.

Philip Kenny

Philip Kenny is a writer, spoken word performer and Autism advocate from Dublin. He has been involved in the Dublin arts scene since his teens and is a regular festival performer, including Knockanstockan and Electric Picnic. He has had work published in Outstraight magazine and has exhibited in The Lab Gallery. He was commissioned by Arts Disability Ireland to produce the audio visual piece 'Ode to Sweeneys' and is launching a new piece 'Myriad' on May 10th as a part of the culture date with dublin 8 festival. The Neuroconvergence festival is a coming together of Neurodiverse groups to celebrate Neurodiversity and to educate one another and the wider community, something Philip is excited to contribute to in whatever way he can.

Yellow

‘Yellow’ is a joyous, uplifting piece of theatre written by Jody O’Neill, writer of the award-winning, ‘What I (Don’t) Know About Autism’.

It follows the story of Lizzie, a creature of habit, and how her life is irrevocably changed when she sleeps through her alarm clock and has to break her routine, with very unexpected consequences.

'Yellow' will be followed by a discussion on inclusion, disability and diversity, designed in collaboration with Sinéad Dunne Finnegan.

'Yellow' was originally commissioned and developed by Draíocht in Dublin 15 through Home Theatre (Ireland). Home Theatre (Ireland) was funded through an Arts Council’s Open Call award with additional support provided by Fingal County Council.

Performed by Eleanor Walsh

Directed by Al Bellamy

The play is a relaxed performance and is suitable for all ages. Running time: 25 minutes plus 25 minutes post-show conversation.

Niamh Geran

Niamh is a neurodivergent poet, clown, playwright and performer. In her work she explores shadow and light, in culture and community, and the visceral complexities of humanity. Themes consider the fragility of identity and who owns and defines it, human perception, intergenerational trauma, and the reconciliation and liberation found in the natural environment. She draws on natural landscapes and finds magic in the rituals and relationships within it. She reflects concern for social change and the environment as a way of inviting the audience to imagine new ways of living. She experiments with words, media, recorded text, sound, movement and imagery.

Alice Doyle

Alice Doyle is an intuitive, transformational and existential neurodivergent poet, artist and teacher. In her work, she explores and unravels the interwoven themes of mirroring, validation, trauma and identity. Her work traverses and examines human frailty, how we weave and are rewoven by love, life and experience and the transformative potential of our connection with and relationship to place, land, landscape and the natural world. She has been published by Drawn to the Light Press, Neuropride Ireland, Wexford Women Writing Undercover and The Wexford Bohemian. Recent performances include at The Frederick Douglass Civil Rights Festival and at the Minding Autistic Minds Conference.

Oluwatobi Balogun

Oluwatobi Balogun is a multidisciplinary dance artist based in carlow working across dance, fashion and visual art. With a practice centred on black masculinity and cultural sustainability he works as a designer, curator, facilitator, director, choreographer and poet/performer. Exploring suspension as a thematic for the expression of nuances relating to identity, mental health, neurodivergence and questioning the human experience.

Tobi has performed and choreographed for many artists/companies such as Cois Ceim, MoLi, Burna Boy, Rudimental.

As a curator he has partnered with Cretae and Dance Ireland to produce Eascair, an event in celebration of black-irish culture. Bringing together visual arts, food and dance performance.

Speakers & Contributors

Adam Harris

Adam set up AsIAm based on his own experiences growing up as a young Autistic person in Ireland. Diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome from an early age, the condition was far less understood or even known as it is today. Adam Harris is the Founder and CEO of AsIAm, Ireland’s National Autism Charity. Adam founded the organisation based on his own experiences growing up on the Autism spectrum. Today, AsIAm provides support to Autistic people and their families, advocates on behalf of the community, and works to support public and private sector organisations and communities in becoming inclusive and accessible. He has also sat and advised on many government consultative and policy committees on disability rights and inclusion. From Greystones in Co Wicklow, Adam was appointed to the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission in July 2020.

ADRIENNE MUPRHY

ADRIENNE MUPRHY: MOTHER AND S2C PRACTITIONER

Adrienne Murphy is the mother of 20-year-old Caoimh Connolly Murphy, who is autistic and nonspeaking. When Caoimh was 12, after dedicated work for 18 months, Caoimh and Adrienne succeeded in unlocking Caoimh into full expression of his thoughts, through teaching him the movement skill of purposeful pointing at a letter board. Acquiring this motor skill enabled Caoimh to spell to communicate. Learning how to spell to communicate (S2C) is by far the most important of the many therapeutic and educational interventions that they’ve tried. Adrienne is now a qualified S2C practitioner. She is also a journalist, editor and writer.

Ken Kilbride

Ken Kilbride is the CEO at ADHD Ireland. Ken has over 25 years experience in senior management positions in a wide range of both very large and very small not for profit organisations in Ireland (drinkware.ie; Consumers Association; Fianna Fail). His role with ADHD Ireland is to enact the vision and strategy of the Board, and in the words of Captain James T Kirk take this ADHD organisation to where no ADHD organisation has ever been before.

Caoimh Connolly Murphy

Caoimh Connolly Murphy is a 20 year old non-speaking autistic. He lives in Co Meath. He loves hanging out with his friends and family, movies, literature and being at one with nature- particularly in forests and woods surrounded by trees. Caoimh is very passionate about advocating for his fellow non-speakers and is particularly focused on improving the educational system for all non-speaking youths in Ireland. He intends to one day go to university to study literature. Caoimh has been communicating openly through S2C (Spell To Communicate) for 7 years.

Max Whelan

Max Whelan is a 22 year old non-speaking autistic and lives in Dublin with his two wonderful dads and two siblings. Max loves going to the gym, music and lots of movies, going away with his family and hanging out with them at home. For the first time, life seems bright, and Max has hope for the future and his life because of S2C (Spelling To Communicate). Max is hoping to one day go to college to study film.

Deirdre Jacob

Deirdre Jacob is the parent of Twice Exceptional Child who attends the Centre for Talented Youth in DCU. Since her Son was identified as neurodivergent at age 6, Deirdre has advocated at local and government level to have 'giftedness' recognised both in education and under the Neurodiversity 'Umberella '. As with other Neurodivergences, she recognised the lack of understanding around 'giftedness' that permeates all sectors of society. Through her work with other Parent Advocates of Gifted Children, they have found that Gifted and Twice Exceptional children can experience the same degree of exclusion in Society as other neurodivergent children. It is for this reason that she is excited to be involved in the Neuroconvergence Festival and to continue raising the profile of Gifted and 2e children in Ireland.

Loaf Café

Loaf is unique as it is part of NOW Group, an all-island organisation which supports people with intellectual disabilities, autism and other neurodiversity into jobs with a future. This is why we deliver Food with Purpose, returning all profits into the organisation to further this goal. Loaf Catering and Cafés is an award-winning social enterprise offering exceptional outside catering services across Dublin and Belfast. They have a café based in Kilmainham, Dublin, two in Belfast, and a stunning pottery in Crawfordsburn, County Down. Providing quality food and beverage options which can be enjoyed in the cafés or delivered fresh to your door, Loaf is the perfect choice to cater for your family get together, corporate event, or special occasions. For more information visit www.loafcatering.ie

Rosie Bissett

Rosie Bissett is CEO of Dyslexia Ireland, the national association representing those with dyslexia in Ireland. Services offered by Dyslexia Ireland include: information; assessment for dyslexia and dyscalculia; specialist tuition for children and adults; courses for parents; training for teachers and other education personnel; dyslexia awareness training; and lobbying and advocacy. Rosie led the development of DAI’s online learning sites, the Dyslexia Hub and the Adult Dyslexia Hub. Rosie is also the current President of the European Dyslexia Association, the umbrella body for dyslexia organisations across Europe.

Gillian Kearns (she/they)

Gillian Kearns is a co-founder of Neuro Pride Ireland, a self-directed community space and DPO (Disabled Persons Organisation) who hold an annual festival to celebrate neurodivergent communities and identities. Gillian is a multiply neurodivergent, agender person. They are an Early Childhood educator with experience drawn from the primary education and child protection sectors. Gillian has also worked with parents, guardians and families to ensure greater understanding of the neurodivergent experience in order to help them support the young people in their care. Gillian is also a parent of neurodivergent children.

Michele Van Valey

Michele Van Valey holds a MSc in Mindfulness Based Interventions from the Department of Psychology at UCD and is currently working toward a clinical MSc in Psychotherapy. She is a holistic health consultant with a nutrition qualification and 20 years of experience teaching yoga, Pilates and meditation. Michele brings her diverse body-mind experience to developing well-being and inclusion programmes in the workplace (Royal College of Surgeons, Goshawk, Wells Fargo) and in schools (Terenure College, High School). Dyslexic and dyspraxic, she is passionate about education, connection and support for all learning styles.

Cír Doyle (they/them)

Cír Doyle is a multiply disabled, Neurodivergent queer non binary person. She is part of the Neuropride team. They have been involved in volunteer work and activism since a young age. They were involved with their local MarRef and Repeal campaigns. As well as disabled specific advocacy, Cír also does LGBTQAI+ volunteer work as a queer activist, fighting for equality and communities. Cír has provided advisory input to numerous organisations and governmental departments. Particular topics of interest to Cír include accurate representation, accessibility, Mad Pride and AAC access.

Jody O’Neill

Jody O’Neill is an autistic writer and actor for theatre and screen. Since her autism diagnosis, she also frequently works as a public speaker and inclusion consultant. She is a recipient of the 2022 Markievicz Award, is Theatre Artist-in-Residence at UCC and Cork Opera House, and was a finalist for the 2022 Virgin Media Discovers Award. Her play, What I (Don’t) Know About Autism, a co-production with The Abbey Theatre, received the award for Best Script at the WGI Zebbie Awards 2021. Her new play Grace, which explores grief and communication through a non-speaking protagonist premieres at Cork Midsummer Festival 2024. She also writes for animation, working with Cartoon Saloon, Little Moon, JAM, CBBC and more.

Anna Lechleiter

With 20 years of experience working with neurodiverse individuals, Anna Lechleiter is the owner and lead Practitioner at PALZ Ireland. Anna is an I-ASC Certified and Registered S2C (Spell To Communicate) Practitioner. Anna teaches nonspeaking, minimally and unreliably speaking individuals with sensory-motor differences the purposeful gross motor movement that enables them to spell out their thoughts and ideas on letter-boards and keyboards. Anna is a faculty member of I-ASC. She mentors and delivers the training seminars for Practitioners in Training through the I-ASC training program. Anna's passion for bringing communication to the non-speaking, neurodiverse community has become her life vocation.

Senco

At Senco, our mission is to create products that help people from 0 to 100 grow and learn. At Neuroconvergence we will have our The Sensory Express and our finest sensory experiences. We are delighted to be part of this innovative concept.

CJay Smith (They)

CJay is a partially sighted AuDHDer who works as an ANA in an Autistic school. They are in final year at TU Dublin studying to get a BSc in 'Information Systems & Information Technology'. CJay has won a number of awards for their work in assistive technology and is passionate about informing others about the many benefits of AT for everyone. They are currently working to develop assistive technology informed by personal experience and experiences working with other Neuro spicy individuals. They will be speaking about AAC's in Assistive Technology, why it’s important and how to use AAC devices to best benefit the user.

Ian Lawton

Ian Lawton is an Autistic entrepreneur and the founder of NeuroHive, a social enterprise launching later this year. NeuroHive offers a platform where Neurodivergent adults can find bespoke peer support through a social support network populated exclusively by other Neurodivergent adults. Recognising the lack of support for Neurodivergent individuals over the age of 18, particularly those diagnosed with conditions like Autism, ADHD, and Dyslexia in advanced years, NeuroHive provides safe spaces for community collaboration through its online platform and companion app. Ian feels the time is right for an event such as Neuroconvergence. Like the concept behind NeuroHive, we are stronger together. Ian is known for his insightful approach to problem-solving and dedication to making a positive impact.

www.weareneurohive.com

Naomi Murphy

Naomi is a seasoned Public Consultation, Events Coordinator, and Facilitator with extensive experience across Ireland and the EU. With a background in Design Thinking and the Cultural and Creative Industries, she combines creativity, a user-first focus, and analytical expertise to achieve positive impacts. Naomi works in diverse areas, including public realm improvements, climate action, NGO strategic reviews, and government policy research, primarily focusing on human rights issues. She ensures high-quality outcomes for clients and delivers a positive facilitated experience.

Sharon Lane

Sharon is the CEO of Dyspraxia/DCD Ireland. With twenty plus years' experience in the not for profit and public service sectors in Ireland and Australia, Sharon is an experienced disability and mental health advocate, committed to improving person centred health service provision and to ensuring that the voices of lived experience are central in the development and implementation of disability services and supports. Sharon holds formal qualifications in Community Development, Business Management (Health), Human Resource Management (Health) and Project Management and is a firm believer in lifelong learning, both formal and experiential.

Fighting Words

Fighting Words is the creative writing organisation co-founded by Roddy Doyle and Seán Love in 2009. Our aim is to help children and young people, and adults who did not have this opportunity as children, to discover and harness the power of their own imaginations and creative writing skills. Fighting Words programmes are free of charge, inclusive, welcoming and fun. We are proudly accredited as Autism Friendly by AsIAm.

Peter O'Brien

Peter is the founder of Neuroconvergence and Happenings. His 11 year old son is autistic and Peter has recently been diagnosed with ADHD - Hyperactive. Peter is in the Neurodivergent family with a passion to help build awareness and understanding for the needs of this special community. The idea with Neuroconvergence is to help build the community, the relationships between the supporting networks and to drive for better resources and connectivity for all who need it. Happenings have been creating and promoting multiple events, festivals and activities in the arena of cultural and social change since 2009 with multiple award winning projects - Neuroconvergence is a new chapter in this ongoing push for a better society for all.

Miriam Kenny

Miriam Kenny is the Chairperson of Involve Autism which is a support and advocacy group for parents/guardians of autistic children based in Terenure www.involveautism.ie. Miriam has a 12 year old son who is autistic and founded Involve Autism in 2018 with other parents to advocate for appropriate school placements for autistic children in the D6/D6w area. Miriam holds an MEd in Educational Guidance and Counselling, an MSc in Business and Management, is a qualified secondary school teacher and a qualified nurse. Miriam has previously held a senior management position in the health service and currently works as a Guidance Counsellor in a busy secondary school in Dublin. She is a passionate advocate for autistic children and their families.

Schedule

12pm to 2pm

Connect The Dots

Stronger Together Workshop – Pre the ticketed festival experiences

2pm to 6pm

Neuroconvergence

Music/ Performances/ Talks/ Panels/ Experiences

2:00pm

Outdoor Garden Stage

Music – Meabh McKenna

2:30pm to 3:15pm

Gym Stage

AAC and Spelling to Communicate ( S2C ) live in conversation S2C An open speller ( TBC ) with Anna Lech talking live with AAC expert CJay Smith

2:30pm to 3:15pm

Workshop Room

NeuroHive CEO Ian Lawton presents The Invisible Elephant. An intimate Discussion on Later in life Diagnosis and Co Occuring Conditions with special guest Sharon McCarthy.

2:30pm to 3:00pm

Outdoor Garden Stage

Theatrical performance – Moss Russell – Squish, Stomp, Spin – The Magic of Stim

3:00pm to 3:15pm

Outdoor Garden Stage

Adam and As I am – 10 year Happy Birthday Celebration and appreciation of As I Am contribution to the ND community

3:15pm to 3:45pm

Outdoor Garden Stage

Music – Ellie O’Neill, Matthew Nolan and Sharon Phelan

3:30pm to 4pm

Gym Stage

Theatrical performance – Yellow

3:30pm to 4:45pm

Workshop Room

Fighting Words Workshop – For 7 to 10 year olds

3:30pm to 4:15pm

Workshop Room

Illustration and creative writing workshop (TBC)

4:00pm to 4:45pm

Outdoor Garden Stage

Panel Discussion

“Neuroconvergence as a concept ” – ADHD, Autism, Dyspraxia, Gifted, 2E, Multiple Neuro conditions and why unity is needed.

Host Michele Van Valey – Deirdre Jacobs, Gillian Kearns, Ian Lawton, Jody O’Neill, Fionnathan ( Father and Son )

4:15pm - 4:45pm

Gym Stage

Magician – Cillian O’Connor

5:00pm - 5:45pm

Gym Stage

Music – Chequerboard – The Orchestral Crescendo

5:00pm - 5:45pm

Outdoor Garden Stage

Neuroconvergence Comedy Crescendo

Louisa Ní Eideaín, Ian Lynam, Fionnathan with ADHD Ireland

5:00pm - 5:45pm

Workshop Room

Parents Talking Circle

Hosts – Dympna Meyer, Michele Van Valey, Jody O’Niell, Ian Lawton

Interventions here and there

Spoken word – Philip Kenny

Interventions here and there

The Autistic Poetess – Alice Doyle

Interventions here and there

Readings/Spoken word – Niamh Geran

Library and outside garden space

Take a break Spaces

All day

Info Room

Information Room – AsIAm, ADHD Ireland, Neurodiversity Ireland, NeuroHive, Neuropride

Garden

Bubble station people, soft play

All day

Cafe & Garden

Loaf Cafe serving food ( Sweet and savory ) and coffees all afternoon – they will have a coffee and tea stand in the Garden also

All day

Garden

Ice Cream Van

All day

Senco – Sensory Express ( Parked outside ) and Sensory Units around Garden area

There will be Ice-cream and bubbles !!!

Partners and associates

Presents

with the Support of

In association with

RICHMOND BARRACKS JUNE 22nd

RICHMOND BARRACKS JUNE 22nd

Line up