Is Arklow autism friendly?

Yes. In 2026, Arklow earned Autism Friendly Town status from AsIAm, Ireland’s autism charity, about a year after launching its plan in March 2025. Local businesses, clubs and services have trained as Autism Friendly Champions, and the town’s library has sensory resources that families can use for free.

Arklow is a busy harbour town on the south Wicklow coast, with beaches, river walks and a strong community spirit. Now it’s also Wicklow’s newest Autism Friendly Town, working to make everyday life easier for autistic people and their families.

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

Status: AsIAm Autism Friendly Town

Plan launched: March 2025

Awarded: 2026

Programme: AsIAm Autism Friendly Towns, supported by PTSB

How Arklow became autism friendly

Arklow launched its plan to become an Autism Friendly Town in March 2025. A local voluntary committee worked with AsIAm to bring businesses, services and community groups on board.

Things moved quickly. Just over a year later, at the AsIAm Autism Friendly Towns Awards in Dublin City Hall in April 2026, Arklow earned full Autism Friendly Town status. It was one of five communities recognised that year, alongside Ballina, Blarney, Enfield and Terenure.

Arklow isn’t the first Wicklow town to take on autism inclusion. Bray, Greystones and Wicklow Town were recognised under an earlier version of the programme in 2019. Arklow is the first Wicklow town to earn the status under AsIAm’s current framework, which has stricter criteria and an independent, autistic-led judging panel.

What does autism friendly mean in Arklow?

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

To earn its status, Arklow’s committee had to meet all of AsIAm’s criteria:

• a three-year town plan, written with the local autistic community
• the agreed number of Autism Friendly Champions, trained by AsIAm
• at least two local employers offering work experience or jobs to autistic people
• businesses and organisations that welcome assistance dogs

Every Champion in Arklow has:

• completed autism understanding and acceptance training
• made sensory adaptations, such as quieter times or a calm space
• created a visual guide, so visitors know what to expect before they arrive

An independent, autistic-led panel of judges assessed the town’s progress before granting the status. Like every Autism Friendly Town, Arklow reports its progress to AsIAm each year to keep it, and Champions retrain every 18 months.

Autism friendly places and supports in Arklow

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

Arklow Library

Arklow Library has a Magic Table, an interactive light game projected onto a table. It’s a sensory experience open to everyone, including children and adults with intellectual disabilities, and it can be reserved for a group or for individual use.

The library is open Monday to Saturday, with late opening until 8.30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which can make it easier to visit when it’s quieter. Contact the library on 0402 39977 to book the Magic Table.

FAST sensory toy collection

Wicklow County Council’s library service runs the FAST collection (Fun Accessible Sensory Toys), with more than 140 toys and resources for children and young people with additional needs. It covers sensory and tactile toys, fine and gross motor skills, and language, social and play skills.

Any adult library member who lives, works or studies in Wicklow can borrow one item at a time for up to 10 days. It’s a great way to try something at home before buying it. You can view the catalogue at Arklow Library or online, and order by emailing SensoryToys@wicklowcoco.ie.

Local businesses and organisations

Arklow’s Champions include local businesses, clubs and services that have completed AsIAm training. Look out for Champion businesses as you explore the town, and ask staff about visual guides, quieter times or calm spaces.

Planning an autism friendly day out in Arklow

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

• Ask for visual guides. Champions have created them, so ask before your visit to see what a place looks like.
• Book the Magic Table. It’s a fun, free indoor activity at Arklow Library, especially on a rainy day.
• Visit the library in the evening. Late opening on Tuesdays and Thursdays can mean a quieter visit.
• Borrow sensory toys. The FAST collection is free with a library card.
• Take a break by the sea. South Beach and the harbour are close to the town centre if someone needs space and fresh air.
• Ask staff. Champions have had autism training and are happy to help.
  
  
  

FAQ’s

Is Arklow autism friendly? Yes. Arklow earned Autism Friendly Town status from AsIAm, Ireland’s autism charity, in 2026, about a year after launching its plan in March 2025.

Is there an autism friendly town in Wicklow? Yes. Arklow earned Autism Friendly Town status under AsIAm’s current programme in 2026. Bray, Greystones and Wicklow Town were recognised under an earlier version of the programme in 2019.

What does autism friendly mean in Arklow? Local Champion businesses and services have completed AsIAm training, made sensory adaptations such as quieter times or calm spaces, and created visual guides.

Does Arklow Library have sensory facilities? Yes. Arklow Library has a Magic Table, an interactive light game that can be reserved for groups or individuals. Library members can also borrow from Wicklow Libraries’ free FAST collection of sensory toys.

How did Arklow earn Autism Friendly status? A voluntary committee met AsIAm’s criteria. These include a three-year town plan, trained Champions, local employers offering work experience or jobs, and assistance dog-friendly premises.

Does Arklow have to renew its Autism Friendly status? Yes. Like every Autism Friendly Town, Arklow reports progress to AsIAm each year, and Champions retrain every 18 months.

Find autism friendly things to do in Wicklow

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

Do you run an autism friendly class, club or activity in Arklow or Wicklow? 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.