UCD OCTOBER 18th
UCD OCTOBER 18th
Neuroconvergence is back—this time in the heart of UCD Campus — for another vibrant celebration of neurodivergent creativity, community, and connection.
Saturday, 18th October 2025 – 2pm to 6pm
UCD Student Centre, Stillorgan Rd, Clonskeagh, Dublin 4
Free & open to all
This unique gathering is designed to break down barriers and spark real conversations. Expect an inspiring day filled with music, performance, comedy, film, panels, and unexpected moments of joy. Whether you come for the conversations or the celebration (or both!), you’ll find a space that welcomes and honours difference.
Led by neurodivergent voices, this festival is for individuals, families, allies, and communities of all kinds. Activities will suit a range of ages and needs, with quiet and sensory-friendly spaces available throughout the day.
Let’s come together to imagine and build a more inclusive, supported, and compassionate world.
In addition to the main event, Neuroconvergence 2025 will host a facilitated stakeholder meeting from 12–2pm. This session is aimed at organisations, advocates, and individuals interested in building stronger networks and supports across all areas of neurodivergence. If you’d like to be part of that conversation, please get in touch at hello@neuroconvergence.ie
LINE UP & Schedule - 18th OCT, UCD
Embracing Complexity Panel with Elaine McGoldrick, Bláinid Gavin and John Sharry
Facilitated by Michele Van Valey
Venue: Red Room, UCD Student Centre 2:10pm - 3:10pm
What does it mean to work from a strength-based perspective and the importance of integrating lived experience into research and clinical framework?
This panel is facilitated by Michele Van Valey and features John Sharry, Elaine McGoldrick and Bláinid Gavin.
Myles O’Reilly: AV Performance
Venue: UCD Cinema, UCD Student Centre 4:15pm - 4:45pm
Myles O'Reilly is an Irish musician and filmmaker, born in Dublin, Ireland. He has released several ambient albums since his acclaimed debut LP, Cabin Lights Off (2020). He is particularly known for his visually poetic and contemplative approach, often exploring themes of nature, spirituality, and human connection through music.
Throwing Shapes: Music Performance
Venue: Astra Hall, UCD Student Centre 2:10pm - 3:00pm
THROWING SHAPES is the debut collaboration from Méabh McKenna, Ross Chaney and Gareth Quinn Redmond. Guided by the striking timbre of the Irish wire-strung harp, the trio shapes intricate instrumental worlds with ambitious electronic synthesis and arrangements.
Lightning Talks with NeuroPride Ireland
Venue: Fitzgerald Debating Hall, UCD Student Centre 2:10pm - 3:20pm
Lightning Talks is a chance for you to share something you feel passionately about, whether that be a video game, social justice issue, YouTuber, animal, period of history - it's up to you! Each presenter will have 3 mins to present on their chosen topic.
Inside Out (2015)
Venue: UCD Cinema, UCD Student Centre 2:30pm - 4:00pm
In the mind of a young girl named Riley Andersen are five personified emotions that influence her actions: Joy, Sadness, Fear, Disgust, and Anger. Riley's experiences become memories that are stored as colored orbs and are sent into long-term memory each night. The aspects of the five most important "core memories" within her personality take the form of five floating islands. Joy acts as the leader and tries to limit Sadness's influence, perceiving her as an unnecessary burden for Riley.
Yin Yoga with Jennifer Healy
Venue: Harmony Room, UCD Student Centre 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Jennifer Healy is a soul mentor, energy activator, and yoga teacher with a deep passion for creating safe, inclusive spaces for healing. At Neuroconvergence, Jennifer will be guiding a Yin Yoga practice — a slow, grounding style that helps calm the body, settle the mind, and gently release stored tension.
Creative Performance Hour: Tierra Porter, Nathan Patterson, Dee Roycroft and Leanne Brennan
MC: Louisa Ní Éideáin
Venue: Red Room, UCD Student Centre 3:20pm - 4:20pm
The Creative Performance features four Neurodivergent creatives sharing with us some excerpts of upcoming new work. The creatives featured are Tierra Porter, Nathan Patterson, Dee Roycroft and Leanne Brennan.
Presentation - Crafting and Neurodivergent Identities: Bronagh Lee, Render Reid and Fáin
Venue: Meeting Room 7, UCD Student Centre 3:20pm - 4:10pm
Bronagh Lee (@bunti.lee), Render Reid (@rendersrendering) and Fáin (@hoganddice) will be presenting on their experiences as neurodivergent crafters and small business owners.
Family Friendly Comedy Hour: Jo Jarvie, MJ Stokes, Felix O’Connor and Emily Bradley
MC: Ian Lynam
Venue: Astra Hall, UCD Student Centre 3:30pm - 4:20pm
Comedians Jo Jarvie, MJ Stokes, Felix O’Connor and Emily Bradley come together in this great line up curated and MC-ed by Ian Lynam for an all neurodivergent, family friendly comedy hour!
Presentation & Demonstration: Neurolinks
Venue: Fitzgerald Debating Hall, UCD Student Centre 3:30pm - 4:30pm
At Neurolinks, music therapy offers neurodiverse individuals a flexible and engaging way to build on their strengths and support their wellbeing. Through a mix of structured and improvisational activities, it can enhance communication, foster social interaction, and provide opportunities for self-expression in a safe and motivating environment.
Music & Discussion: Fiachna Ó Braonáin with Peter O’Brien
Venue: Meeting Room 7, UCD Student Centre 2:30pm - 3:10pm
Fiachna Ó Braonáin is a musician, songwriter, and founding member of Hothouse Flowers, a band that has been captivating audiences around the world for over four decades. In conversation with Peter O’Brien, Fiachna will share insights from his life, as well as some acoustic music.
Late Diagnosis and Your Career Panel with Jody O’Neill, Dr. Mary Doherty, Neil Burke Kennedy and Ian Lawton
Facilitated by Dee Roycroft
Venue: Meeting Room 7, UCD Student Centre 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Facilitated by Dee Roycroft, this panel features Jody O’Neill, Dr. Mary Doherty, Neil Burke Kennedy and Ian Lawton in discussion about late diagnosis and the impact of late diagnosis on their careers.
‘Big Breaths, Little Breaths’ - Breathwork Workshop for Adults & Children
Facilitated by Sorcha Woods, Sinead Monaghan, Eoin Daly, Paul Reynolds & Nadia Haugh
Venue: Harmony Room, UCD Student Centre 4:30pm - 5:30pm
This workshop is perfect for children and adults alike! It’s a joyful introduction to the power of mindful breathing. The session is designed to be inclusive, gentle, and supportive of neurodiverse experiences.
Rehearsed Reading: Unveiled by Max Whelan, performed by Eleanor Walsh
MC: Louisa Ní Éadeáin
Venue: Astra Hall, UCD Student Centre 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Unveiled by Max Whelan is his debut script about finding his artistic voice. This rehearsed reading will be performed by Eleanor Walsh and directed by Al Bellamy, with additional Reading from Anna Lechleiter, John McMahon and Al Bellamy. Please note: This performance and script contains depictions of internalised and professional ableism.
Partners Panel: AsIAm, Dyslexia Ireland, Dyspraxia Ireland, Involve Autism and ADHD Ireland
Facilitated by Michele Van Valey
Venue: Fitzgerald Debating Hall, UCD Student Centre 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Representatives from AsIAm, Dyslexia Ireland, Dyspraxia Ireland, Involve Autism and ADHD Ireland are coming together in this panel, facilitated by Michele Van Valey.
Walkabout Entertainers & Circus Skills Workshop
Venue: Foyer, UCD Student Centre All Day
Hoola Hooping, Face Painting, Clowning, Bubbles, Stiltwalking and more!
Sensory Soft Play Space
Venue: Café Brava, UCD Student Centre All Day
The Sensory Soft Play area will have a ball pool, dark dens, sensory toys and more! Located in the Café Brava, this space will be open all day. Kaitlin O’Connor and her team of Occupational Therapists will be minding the space.
Senco Sensory Bus
Venue: Outside Front Door, UCD Student Centre All Day
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.
Information Marketplace
Venue: Atrium, UCD Student Centre All Day
Partner organisations, inclusive arts organisations and services will all have tables in our information marketplace - a place for you to ask questions, learn about services and initiatives and more!
Bouncy Castles & DJ Silt
Venue: Quad, Outside UCD Student Centre All Day
A bounce and a boogie!
Two bouncy castles and brilliant tunes from DJ Silt can be found in the quad.
(Weather dependent)
Arts & Crafts Area
Venue: Yellow Area, Foyer UCD Student Centre All Day
Join Jane Groves to get your hands into some magical clay and make something! Open to all ages, drop in and get crafty!
Quiet Space
Venue: Chaplaincy Hub, UCD Student Centre All Day
Our Quiet Space will be open all day in the UCD Chaplaincy Hub. This a space for being quiet and to offer a space of sensory calm.
Fighting Words Story Writing Workshop
Venue: Blue Room, UCD Student Centre 2:30pm - 4:30pm
Fighting Words will run an interactive and fun Story Writing Workshop as part of Neuroconvergence! Children will discuss their favourite stories before working together to create the first half of a story.
Suitable for young people, 9-12 Years Old.