Is Enfield autism friendly?

Yes. In 2026, Enfield earned full Autism Friendly Town status from AsIAm, Ireland’s autism charity, becoming the first Autism Friendly Town in Co. Meath. Around 20 local businesses, clubs and organisations are Autism Friendly Champions, from the local SuperValu and barber to the football club and gym.

Enfield is a busy, growing town on the Meath–Kildare border, with a strong community spirit. In just a few years, a small group of local volunteers has shown that a town of any size can make a real difference for autistic people and their families.

This guide covers how Enfield got there, what autism friendly means in the town, and the places where autistic children, teenagers, adults and their families can expect a calmer, more understanding welcome.

Status: AsIAm Autism Friendly Town

Awarded: 2026, the first in Co. Meath

Other awards: New Community Recognition Award (2025)

Champions: Around 20 local businesses, clubs and organisations

Run by: Enfield Autism Friendly Town, a volunteer committee

More information: enfieldautismfriendlytown.wordpress.com

How Enfield became autism friendly

Enfield’s story began in October 2023, when a group of local volunteers came together to make their town more accessible and inclusive for autistic people. They’d seen the success of AsIAm’s programme in nearby Maynooth and decided Enfield could do the same.

The committee got to work quickly. In March 2024, it ran Enfield’s first relaxed space at the St Patrick’s Day parade, with fidget toys, ear defenders and an enclosed area where children and adults with additional needs could enjoy the parade in comfort. That spring it also held an Easter hunt for autistic children and started a social club for 8 to 13 year olds at Enfield Library.

AsIAm’s CEO officially launched Enfield Autism Friendly Town at St Mary’s National School in June 2024. In February 2025, Enfield won AsIAm’s New Community Recognition Award. Then, at the AsIAm Autism Friendly Towns Awards in Dublin City Hall in 2026, Enfield earned full Autism Friendly Town status.

What does autism friendly mean in Enfield?

An autism-friendly town thinks about the small things that can make an ordinary day hard, like noise, bright lights, waiting and not knowing what to expect.

Enfield’s Champions are local businesses, clubs and organisations that have:

• completed autism training developed by AsIAm, online or in person
• committed to practical changes, such as fidget items, quiet spaces, visual guides or private appointments
• welcomed assistance dogs

Many Champions also have a pre-visit visual guide, a short picture guide that shows what a place looks like and what will happen, so you can prepare before you go. Several also offer work experience to autistic students, helping young people take their first steps into work.

Autism friendly places in Enfield

These are the places with published autism-friendly features. Supports can change, so it’s always worth checking before you go.

Hannon’s SuperValu

Hannon’s SuperValu in Enfield has been a strong supporter of the initiative from the start. Its staff have completed autism training, and it offers:

• a visual guide with a map of the store
• private appointments on request
• planned sensory hours with dimmed lighting and the music switched off
• a welcome for assistance dogs
• work experience, including Transition Year placements

Ask in store about sensory hour times.

Malachy’s Barbershop

Haircuts can be one of the hardest outings for autistic children, and Malachy’s Barbershop has thought carefully about how to make them easier. It offers:

• one client at a time, to keep distractions down
• adjustable music and lighting
• fidgets during appointments
• a visual guide to the premises and a visual guide to getting a haircut
• extended, low-demand haircut appointments for children aged 3 and up
• a welcome for assistance dogs

It also offers work experience to autistic and neurodivergent Transition Year students.

Where: Divine Hair & Beauty, Main Street, Enfield, Co. Meath

Nomad Coffee Bar

Nomad was Enfield’s very first Autism Friendly Champion. Staff have completed autism training, there’s a visual guide you can look at before you visit, and sensory fidgets are kept at the counter.

Enfield Library

Enfield Library is a great free option for families. Its meeting room has a Tovertafel, or Magic Table, an interactive light game projected onto a table that can be booked by individuals, small groups or families. The library also has sensory baskets.

The library has been an important partner for the committee too. It hosted the first autism social club for 8 to 13 year olds, and the children’s group artwork is on display there.

Enfield Celtic Football Club

Enfield Celtic is a Champion with seven trained coaches. The club has:

• a quiet space in the clubhouse during training and matches, with fidgets available
• a visual on the clubhouse door, so players know where they’re going
• a welcome for assistance dogs
• a Football For All programme, which makes football accessible for players with disabilities
  
  
  

Shops, services and activities

Other Enfield Champions with published supports include:

• Ironworx Strength, Fatloss and Powerlifting: a visual guide, a quiet space during classes on request and a fidget box
• Lady M Boutique: a visual guide, private appointments on request and a fidget box
• Murtagh Bros. Auctioneers: a visual guide, a choice of how you’d like to be contacted, a step-by-step online guide to selling a home, and work experience
• Blossoms Pre-Schools in Enfield and Johnstownbridge: 15 staff have completed the training

More Champions include Enfield Credit Union, Enfield Opticians, B.R.E.D.A. Resource Centre, Twisters Gymnastics Academy, Embrace Dance Academy, Blast Music Academy, Ark Yoga, Balyna All Stars, Gregory Inn, Sole Spectrum Therapy and Crinion Sensory Rooms. Enfield Development Group has also signed up and plans to make town events more autism friendly.

Visual guides are available for B.R.E.D.A. Resource Centre, Enfield Opticians, Enfield Credit Union, Twisters Gymnastics Academy, Lady M Boutique, Ironworx, Enfield Celtic, Murtagh Bros. and Nomad. You can find them on the Enfield Autism Friendly Town website.

Events through the year

The committee runs autism-friendly events through the year. Recent highlights include:

• a relaxed space at the St Patrick’s Day parade, with fidgets, ear defenders and room to move
• a Sensory Santa, a calm Christmas visit where children can relax at their own pace
• an Easter hunt for autistic children
• social clubs for young autistic people

Follow Enfield Autism Friendly Town on Facebook and Instagram for upcoming events.

Planning an autism friendly day out in Enfield

A little preparation makes a big difference. Here are some tips based on how local supports work:

• Download visual guides first. Look at the guides for the places you plan to visit, so everyone knows what to expect.
• Book a private appointment. Several Champions, including Hannon’s SuperValu and Lady M Boutique, offer private appointments on request.
• Try a low-demand haircut. Malachy’s Barbershop offers longer, calmer appointments for children.
• Book the Tovertafel. It’s a fun, free indoor activity at Enfield Library, especially on a rainy day.
• Look for relaxed spaces at events. The committee has run relaxed areas at the St Patrick’s Day parade, so check before you go.
• Ask about a fidget box. Many Champions keep one on hand, so just ask.
  
  
  

FAQ’s

Is Enfield autism friendly? Yes. Enfield, Co. Meath, earned full Autism Friendly Town status from AsIAm, Ireland’s autism charity, in 2026. Around 20 local businesses, clubs and organisations are Autism Friendly Champions.

Is there an autism friendly town in Meath? Yes. Enfield became Meath’s first Autism Friendly Town in 2026. Navan and Trim are working towards the status, and both won AsIAm Inclusive Event Awards in 2026.

Where can I get a sensory haircut in Meath? Malachy’s Barbershop in Divine Hair & Beauty on Main Street, Enfield, is an Autism Friendly Champion. It offers one client at a time, adjustable music and lighting, fidgets, visual guides and extended low-demand haircuts for children aged 3 and up.

Does SuperValu Enfield have sensory hours? Hannon’s SuperValu in Enfield is an Autism Friendly Champion and plans sensory hours with dimmed lights and no music. It also offers a visual guide with a map and private appointments on request.

Can I book the Tovertafel at Enfield Library? Yes. The Tovertafel, or Magic Table, in the library meeting room can be booked by individuals, small groups or families. The library also has sensory baskets.

How can a business in Enfield become an Autism Friendly Champion? Contact Enfield Autism Friendly Town at enfieldaft@gmail.com. Champions complete AsIAm training, online or in person, and commit to changes that support autistic people.

Find autism friendly things to do in Meath 

Do Stuff! lists classes, activities and events across Meath, with icons that show when an activity is accessible or can support additional needs. Browse What’s On in Meath on Do Stuff! to plan your next day out.

Do you run an autism friendly class, club or activity in Enfield or Meath? Help local families find you. Add Your Autism Friendly Activity to Do Stuff!

We aim to provide up-to-date, useful information to readers. Email contact@dostuff.ie if any information here needs updating, or to tell us about a new place we can add.