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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Ignacio Peregrina, Becca Fox and Martin Hanrahan PICTURE Vicky Comerford
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 first tour took place this 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/early hours of selected sensory friendly days having noise and light reduction, the Smithwicks Experience will offer sensory kits at their reception areas, along with visual guides of the buildings and sensory maps year round. 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.
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."
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."
For tour times and further details see https://www.smithwicksexperience.com and don't miss next week's Kilkenny People newspaper for lots more about the changes being made at the Smithwick's Experience.
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