New sensory tour is a welcome change for Kilkenny's Smithwick’s Experience

Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny has partnered with Ireland’s National Autism Charity, AsIAm, to offer sensory friendly hours and ensure that autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals can visit the Kilkenny City centre site with confidence.

The 300 year-old brewery site is proud to embrace modern-day developments to make the popular city tourist destination even more welcoming to everyone.

The first tour took place last week and will be held on the first Thursday of every month, increasing as demand and the tourist season gets busier.
As well as the first tour, the early hours of opening on selected sensory friendly days will have noise and light reduction, with music and sound effects turned down.

The Smithwicks Experience will now also offer sensory kits at their reception areas, along with visual guides of the buildings and sensory maps year-round to help visitors navigate the tour in a comfortable way.
This is all so visitors to the centre can learn and enjoy the history of Smithwick’s in a fun and interactive way.

Town in Kilkenny to feature on television next Tuesday

From this week's Castlecomer Notes...

Free Ticket
One free carer ticket per customer will also be offered, if required.
During the designated sensory friendly tours, additional signage will be placed around the buildings, marking high sensory areas.

Staff have been trained by AsIAm.ie to better understand how to cater to customers with autism or neuro divergencies and the local tour guides in Kilkenny are very proud to be able to offer these new measures to ensure all visitors have a good experience.

The maps and guides are also available on the Smithwick’s Experience website, and can be downloaded, for those who would like to plan and prepare for their visit.

AsIAm visited the centre to audit the tour and partook in the whole experience before preparing a detailed report with recommendations on how best to adapt the experience.

Two horses impounded by Kilkenny County Council

Manager of Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny, Ignacio Peregrina, said: “This accreditation is an example of how the Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny team and teams at our other sites are working with partners to ensure that our attractions are accessible for all guests, and to help everyone create unforgettable memories at our experiences.

“It has been enlightening for our team to work with AsIAm to receive extensive autism sensitivity and awareness training, which will help the way we interact with all visitors, but especially those with sensory sensitivities.”

Staff at the centre are proud to be involved in the introduction of the sensory tours and to work in a place that includes everyone. From the local area, they take great pride in being able to offer an inclusive welcome to all visitors.
It’s a learning experience, Mr Peregrina added, and feedback is welcome.

AsIAm
AsIAm conducted reviews of the visitor attractions to provide recommendations to increase accessibility and help visitors prepare for their visit, including sensory guide signage, customised tours, and adaptions to the customer experience.

Adam Harris, AsIAm CEO, said: “It has been a pleasure working with the team to educate their staff, assess the environments and to help enhance these amazing experiences to ensure that autistic visitors, their families, and those who process the sensory environment differently, get the same chance to enjoy these wonderful visitor attractions. These partnerships with industry leaders are essential to create more inclusive and welcoming experiences for all.”

Kilkenny aid leader hits out at 'ignorant comments' from online 'mouthpieces'

'I challenge them to come to war zone with me'

The building is also fully wheelchair accessible.
For tour times and further details see https://www.smithwicksexperience.com

The staff of the Smithwick’s Experience are hoping to welcome lots of Kilkenny people, as well as visitors from further afield. Mr Peregrina noted that it’s common that people don’t visit attractions near their own homes, but Kilkenny locals love the experience when they visit.
The upcoming Christmas holidays is a perfect time to visit with friends and family, he said, and special events will be held as part of Yulefest.