Is Terenure autism friendly?

Yes. Terenure earned Autism Friendly status from AsIAm, Ireland’s autism charity, in 2026, becoming Dublin’s second Autism Friendly community after Drumcondra. Local businesses and organisations have trained as Autism Friendly Champions, and Terenure Library runs a free sensory hour every Saturday morning.

Terenure has always felt like a village within the city, with its cafés, independent shops, sports clubs and the green space of Bushy Park close by. Now it’s also one of the most welcoming places in Dublin for autistic people and their families.

This guide covers how Terenure got there, what autism friendly means locally, and the places and groups where autistic children, teenagers, adults and their families can find a calmer, more understanding welcome.

Status: AsIAm Autism Friendly community

Awarded: 2026, the second in Dublin

Run by: Autism Friendly Terenure, set up by Involve Autism D6/D6W

Launched: November 2024

Area covered: Terenure and the wider Dublin 6 and 6W area

More information: involveautism.ie

How Terenure became autism friendly

The story starts with local parents. Involve Autism D6/D6W was founded in 2018 by parents and guardians of autistic children in Dublin 6 and 6W. They first came together to campaign for suitable school places in the area, and the group has since grown into a registered charity offering peer support, clubs, events and advocacy.

In November 2024, Involve Autism launched Autism Friendly Terenure with AsIAm at Terenure College RFC. The Lord Mayor of Dublin launched the initiative, AsIAm’s CEO gave the keynote talk, and local TDs, councillors and the Mayor of South Dublin County Council came along. The new committee drew in people from Terenure Enterprise Centre, Dublin City Council, Terenure Community Support and local businesses.

Local clubs and schools got behind it from the start, including Terenure College RFC, Terenure Tigers, Ranelagh Rockets and Libermann Spiritan Templeogue School. Irish Rugby’s Sensaroam sensory bus was there on the night too.

With support from Dublin City Council’s community development team, the committee then trained local businesses and organisations as Champions. In 2026, at the AsIAm Autism Friendly Towns Awards in Dublin City Hall, Terenure was recognised as an Autism Friendly community, joining Drumcondra as one of only two in Dublin.

What does autism friendly mean in Terenure?

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

In Terenure, every Champion business or organisation has:

• completed autism training with AsIAm
• received a Champion Status certificate, which you’ll often see displayed
• been given a sensory box to keep on the premises, so anyone who feels overwhelmed can use it
• created visual guides, so visitors know what to expect before they arrive

If a business has a sensory box, just ask staff. And if you’re nervous about a visit, ask if they have a visual guide you can look at first.

Autism friendly places and groups in Terenure

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

Terenure Library Sensory Hour

Every Saturday from 10am to 11am, Terenure Library holds a Sensory Hour. The library dims its lights, keeps noise down and puts out sensory toys from the Dublin City Libraries collection. Ear defenders are available too.

It’s free, there’s no need to book, and you can just drop in. Children must be supervised by an adult. The library itself is wheelchair accessible, with accessible toilets and a hearing loop.

Where: Terenure Library, Templeogue Road, Dublin 6W, D6W YC59

Involve Autism D6/D6W clubs and support

Involve Autism, the group behind Autism Friendly Terenure, runs clubs and events for autistic children and support for their parents and guardians. It’s a member of the National Federation of Arch Clubs.

In the past, its clubs have included a Kitchen Club for children aged 8 to 12 and a Girls Group for girls aged 7 to 12, with art, yoga, drama and dance, along with regular parent support meetings, coffee mornings and a family Christmas party. Most activities take place at Evergreen Hall on Terenure Road North and at Zion Parish Hall in Rathgar.

Contact Involve Autism at info@involveautism.ie for current clubs and dates.

Terenure Tigers

Terenure Tigers is a disability rugby team linked to Terenure College RFC, and it was one of the community partners at the Autism Friendly Terenure launch. In 2022, the Tigers hosted a disability tag rugby festival that brought 175 players from 11 Leinster clubs to Terenure. It’s a great option for children and teenagers who want to try a team sport in a supportive setting.

Heritage Credit Union, Fortfield

Heritage Credit Union’s Fortfield office has been recognised as an AsIAm Autism Friendly Champion, which means its staff have completed AsIAm’s autism training.

Local businesses and organisations

Terenure’s Champions include local shops, cafés, services and community organisations that have completed AsIAm training. Look for the Champion Status certificate in shop windows and at reception desks, and ask about the sensory box or visual guide.

Planning an autism friendly day out in Terenure

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

• Start with the Saturday Sensory Hour. It’s a calm, free way to begin the weekend, with no booking needed.
• Ask about visual guides. Champions have them, so you can show your child what a place looks like before you go in.
• Ask for the sensory box. If things get too much while you’re out, Champions can offer one.
• Pick your timing. Terenure village is busiest at weekends around lunchtime, so mornings and weekdays are usually calmer.
• Take a break outdoors. Bushy Park is a few minutes’ walk away if someone needs space and fresh air.
• Connect with other families. Involve Autism’s parent meetings and coffee mornings are a good way to meet people who understand.
  
  
  

FAQ’s

Is Terenure autism friendly? Yes. Terenure earned Autism Friendly status from AsIAm, Ireland’s autism charity, in 2026. It is Dublin’s second Autism Friendly community, after Drumcondra.

Who runs Autism Friendly Terenure? Involve Autism D6/D6W, a parent-led autism support group and registered charity, set up Autism Friendly Terenure with AsIAm in November 2024.

Is there a sensory hour in Terenure? Yes. Terenure Library runs a free Sensory Hour every Saturday from 10am to 11am, with dimmed lighting, less noise, sensory toys and ear defenders. No booking is needed.

What do autism friendly businesses in Terenure offer? Champions have completed autism training. They receive a Champion certificate, a sensory box for their premises and visual guides, so visitors know what to expect.

Does Autism Friendly Terenure cover Dublin 6 and 6W? Yes. The initiative covers Terenure and the wider Dublin 6 and Dublin 6W community.

Is Dublin an autism friendly city? Not yet. Dublin City Council’s Autism Friendly Action Plan 2026 to 2028 aims to make Dublin the world’s first recognised Autism Friendly capital city.

Find autism friendly things to do in Dublin

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

Do you run an autism friendly class, club or activity in Terenure or Dublin 6 and 6W? 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.