Kilkenny teacher/entrepreneur's 3D printed products making waves
Sona Sensory has appeared on TV3 and will be at the Enterprise Unit at the Ploughing Championships
Adam Brennan, Knocknadogue, Castlecomer has a lot of strings to his bow - but his new range of 3D printed sensory toys seems to be a winner, finding a gap in the market
By day, Mr Brennan is an engineering teacher at Heywood Community School. He's also an integral part of Erins Own Junior D County Champions and also lines out on the soccer fields with Deen Celtic FC.
On a recent visit to his unit at Castlecomer Enterprise Centre, I was amazed by his selection of Eco-Friendly Sensory Toys 3D which are 100% Irish Made & Designed. With a background in teaching engineering and technical drawing and a wonderful way with young people it was a logical step that he would become the founder of Sona Sensory.
Whether it’s for play, peace, or a pop of colour on a shelf, Sona Sensory 3D toys support sensory development and calm in every setting. TAP HERE FOR MORE NEWS FROM CASTLECOMER
"Sona means happy in Irish — and that’s exactly what I hope these toys bring. A bit calmer. A bit more focus. And a lot more joy for the kids who use them," says Mr Brennan.
"Sona Sensory actually began as a 3D printing service called Chance Design 3D. I was looking for a way to create something useful, something that would have a real, lasting impact. Through my work in schools, I started to notice how students with ADHD responded to sensory tools — not just with focus, but with calm and confidence. That sparked something in me.
"I began introducing small sensory toys into some of my classes, just as a trial. The feedback was immediate and overwhelmingly positive — not just from the students, but also from fellow teachers. That’s when I realised there was a real need for this. TAP HERE FOR MORE KILKENNY SCHOOLS NEWS
"As I did more research, I saw a gap: Ireland has very few manufacturers of sensory toys ; Most are imported; many lack the thoughtful design that makes a real difference. I knew I could change that — using 3D printing, practical design, and feedback from real students. That’s how Sona Sensory came to life.”
His creations include T-Rex Flexi Skeleton, Flexi Iguana, Articulated Frog, Axolotl, Happy Turtle, and Baby Monkey to name but a few.
We wish Adam well in his new venture. Already, he has - just like on the field of play - hit the ground running, with a slot on TV3 AM behind him, and also a stand in the Enterprise Unit at the Ploughing Championships where he is the Kilkenny exhibitor. Locally, Unit 1 at the Enterprise Centre is well worth a visit. For more, contact [email protected].