Autism Friendly Towns in Ireland: What They Are, Where They Are and How to Get Involved
As of autumn 2026, ten communities in Ireland hold official Autism Friendly status from AsIAm, Ireland’s autism charity. They are Clonakilty, Maynooth, Waterford City, Killarney, Drumcondra, Terenure, Ballina, Arklow, Blarney and Enfield. Around 50 more communities are working towards it. Here’s what the status means, how a town earns it, and how you can help your own area get there.
What is an Autism Friendly Town?
An Autism Friendly Town is a community that has committed to making everyday life more accessible for autistic people and their families. That covers shops, cafés, libraries, sports clubs, public services and local events.
The idea is simple. Autistic people should have the same chance as anyone else to go to the shop, join a club, find work or enjoy a festival. AsIAm’s Same Chance research found that over half of autistic people report barriers to taking full part in community life. Many of those barriers are small and fixable: loud music, harsh lighting, unclear signage, crowds, or staff who don’t know how to help.
An Autism Friendly Town tackles these one business, club and event at a time. The change is led by local people, with autistic people involved from the start.
How the programme began
AsIAm launched the Autism Friendly Towns programme in 2018. Clonakilty in West Cork was the pioneer. A local, community-led campaign there made it Ireland’s first Autism Friendly Town, and it became a model for the rest of the country.
Maynooth in Co. Kildare became the second town to earn the status. Early phases of the programme drew support from SuperValu. In 2022, AsIAm relaunched the programme with philanthropic funding and a three-year structure, and 19 towns signed up that year.
In 2025, PTSB became the programme’s partner in a three-year deal. Growth since then has been fast:
- 2025: Waterford became the first city to earn the status, alongside Killarney and Drumcondra Village. Around 40 communities were taking part.
- 2026: Terenure, Ballina, Arklow, Blarney and Enfield were added at the awards in Dublin City Hall. AsIAm described it as the programme’s largest-ever expansion, with 50 communities involved.
Dublin City Council has also published an Autism Friendly Action Plan as part of a bid for city-wide status.
The criteria: how a town earns Autism Friendly status
The programme runs on a three-year framework. A town can earn the status sooner if it meets every requirement. The core criteria are:
- A voluntary local committee. At minimum it needs a Chairperson, a Secretary and a Communications Officer. It includes local representatives and autistic advocates.
- A three-year Town Plan. The committee writes it in consultation with the local autistic community. It sets measurable goals for accessibility, and AsIAm reviews it as the town goes.
- A quota of Autism Friendly Champions. Champions can be businesses, voluntary groups, sports clubs or public services. The number needed depends on the size of the community.
- Employer engagement. At least two local employers must offer work experience or jobs to autistic people.
- Assistance dog-friendly premises. Businesses and organisations should welcome assistance dogs.
To become a Champion, an organisation must:
- complete AsIAm’s autism understanding and acceptance training
- make sensory adaptations, such as quieter times, dimmed lights or a calm space
- create visual supports and guides, so visitors know what to expect before they arrive.
Champions must retake the training every 18 months.
Each year, an independent, autistic-led panel of judges assesses each committee’s progress at the annual awards. Earning the status is not the finish line. Towns submit updates every year to keep it.
What you’ll notice in an Autism Friendly Town
Every town’s plan is different, but common features include:
- Quiet or sensory-friendly hours in shops, supermarkets, gyms and cinemas
- Visual guides with photos of a venue, so people can prepare for a visit
- Sensory-friendly events, such as quieter parades, festival quiet zones and relaxed performances
- Trained staff who understand autism and know how to offer support without fuss
- Quiet spaces at libraries, community centres and events
- Clear communication, such as advance notice of changes and plain signage
For families, this makes planning a day out much easier. Look for the Autism Friendly Champion sticker or ask the local committee for a list of Champions.
Ireland’s Autism Friendly Towns: the full list
Clonakilty, Cork — 2018, first in Ireland
Maynooth, Kildare — 2024, second in Ireland
Waterford City, Waterford — 2025, first Autism Friendly City
Killarney, Kerry — 2025
Drumcondra Village, Dublin — 2025
Terenure, Dublin — 2026
Ballina, Mayo — 2026
Arklow, Wicklow — 2026
Blarney, Cork — 2026
Enfield, Meath — 2026
Many more communities are on the journey, including Westport, Trim, Navan, Listowel, Cobh, Howth/Sutton, Dublin 10 and Adamstown. Several have already won AsIAm awards for inclusive events and community engagement. AsIAm keeps the up-to-date list of participating communities on its website.
This programme is run by AsIAm in the Republic of Ireland. If you’re in Northern Ireland, contact local autism charities about similar community initiatives.
How to get involved
If you’re a business, club or service: Contact your local Autism Friendly committee and ask to become a Champion. The training is practical, and the changes are often low-cost, such as a quiet hour, a visual guide or a calm corner. Becoming a Champion also signals to families that you’re a welcoming choice.
If your town isn’t involved yet: Gather a few interested people, ideally including autistic people and parents. Then email AsIAm at support@asiam.ie. Applications open once a year, but AsIAm accepts expressions of interest at any time. A national co-ordinator helps you set up your committee and guides you through the process. There’s no expectation to fundraise, as this is a funded programme.
If you’re an individual: Volunteer with your local committee, take part in consultations on your town plan, or simply support the Champion businesses near you.
If you run classes or activities: Add accessibility details to your Do Stuff! listing. Let people know about quiet sessions, smaller groups or sensory-friendly options. Families searching for inclusive activities can then find you more easily.
Frequently asked questions
What is an Autism Friendly Town in Ireland? It is a community recognised by AsIAm for making measurable changes that improve accessibility, understanding and acceptance for autistic people and their families.
Which was the first Autism Friendly Town in Ireland? Clonakilty in West Cork. Maynooth in Co. Kildare was the second.
How many Autism Friendly Towns are there in Ireland? As of 2026, ten communities hold full status, and around 50 are taking part in the programme.
How long does it take to become an Autism Friendly Town? The programme runs over three years, but a town can earn the status sooner if it meets all the criteria.
Who decides which towns get the status? An independent, autistic-led panel of judges assesses each committee’s progress at AsIAm’s annual awards.
Does it cost money to join? No. It’s a funded programme, currently supported by PTSB. Committees are not expected to fundraise.
How do I start an Autism Friendly committee in my town? Email support@asiam.ie with an expression of interest. A national co-ordinator will be in touch to help you get started.
Can a business become autism friendly outside an Autism Friendly Town? Yes. AsIAm also runs autism-friendly training and accreditation for individual organisations.
