PICTURES: Inclusive flash mob and Equal Vibes at St Patrick's Festival Kilkenny

A crowd gathered at Watergate Urban Park on Saturday afternoon as Equal Vibes delivered three hours of lively, inclusive entertainment as part of Kilkenny’s St Patrick's Festival celebrations on 14 March.

The organisation, which creates fun and engaging music events for people with additional needs and their carers, brought a vibrant mix of music, dance and audience participation to the festival programme.

Sponsored by Martin Peters Associates, with support from Kilkenny County Council, the event featured performers including the energetic Tipperary Little Treasures, alongside interactive dance competitions, audience singing moments, and a lively music game that had the crowd fully involved.
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A highlight of the afternoon was a flash mob led by Teresa O’Halloran from Down Syndrome Tipperary, bringing the audience to their feet in celebration. Many of the performers and volunteers were members of Down Syndrome Tipperary and Network Ireland Kilkenny, joined by special guests and the dedicated Equal Vibes team, including founder Ash Delaney and her son Joe Delaney, DJ Mol (Marie Garrett), Ger Mounsey, Diana Meux, Donna Hall and her daughter Niamh, and Iowna and Adrian Krajnik.

“Equal Vibes was created because there simply weren’t many social spaces where people like my son Joe could go and truly feel included,” said founder Ash Delaney. “What we’ve built is a special social event for people with additional needs, but it also brings joy and connection to people of all abilities.”

With team members coming from across Ireland and beyond, Equal Vibes thanked St Patrick’s Festival Kilkenny, Martin Peters Associates and everyone who helped make the event possible.

Equal Vibes hopes to continue expanding its reach nationwide, bringing its uplifting shows to communities across the country. For more, see https://www.instagram.com/equal.vibes