Kildare Disability Week to take place from this Sunday May 11

Kildare County Council has announced details of a programme of initiatives to mark Kildare Disability Week 2025, which will take place from Sunday, May 11 to Sunday, May 18.

The week kicks off with a bang, with the first ever Kildare Inclusivity Festival which takes place at The Curragh Racecourse from 11am to 4pm on Sunday May 11.

Hosted by Kildare County Council and its partners, this free event is all about breaking down barriers for people living with disabilities and bringing everyone together in a truly inclusive environment.

The festival will have a range of free activities suitable for all ages and abilities. Come along and experience the thrill of the Family Fun Zone, challenge yourself on the Nua Healthcare Ultimate Obstacle Course, get creative with Barretstown Magic Moments or try out Inclusive Sports with Kildare Sports Partnership, plus much more.

On the Monday, renowned Irish children’s author Emma-Jane Leeson, in collaboration with County Kildare Access Network (CKAN), will launch the Irish Version (Johnny Magory agus na Coileáin a bhí ar Iarraidh) of her book "Johnny Magory and the Mystery of the Missing Puppies". 

Commissioned by Kildare County Council and Creative Ireland to create a publication which depicts disabled children, author Emma-Jane Leeson has delivered an enchanting new addition to the beloved Johnny Magory series, which follows the quest of seven children from Kildare, five of whom are disabled, to find their missing assistance puppies. 

The book is inspired by the toy assistance puppies from Maynooth Access Group’s ‘Our World’ Inclusive Toy Collection.

The ‘Our World’ initiative, in recent years, won the creative places category at the IPB Pride of Place awards.   The ‘Our World’ programme is a sustainable lending & educational resource, consisting of a collection of diverse and inclusive toys and accessories. The resource is used by all, helping to teach children acceptance, normalising difference, and promoting empathy and compassion, ultimately leading to a more inclusive society.  

Also being promoted during the week is The ‘Accessible Adventures’ book and boardgame, by award winning illustrator Ciara Chapman. County Kildare Access Network (CKAN) and Kildare County Council, in association with Creative Places Athy, commissioned Ciara to develop the book to highlight the importance of inclusion and an accessible world to primary school aged children.

‘Accessible Adventures’ contains short stories and illustrations around inclusion and accessibility such as using a JAM Card and includes a story to be deciphered using Irish Sign Language (ISL).  A boardgame is also included with the book. 

Copies of both ‘Johnny Magory agus na Coileáin a bhí ar Iarraidh’ and ‘Accessible Adventures’ with the accompanying boardgame will be distributed to every Library in the country and every Primary School in County Kildare during the week.

Fly the Flag - The County Kildare Access Network Flag will be flown in prominent locations across the county throughout the week. In total, 250 flags will be flown in town squares, outside schools and on Garda Stations across the county.

Information signs will also be on display along main thoroughfares in and out of towns throughout the county.

For further details on Kildare Disability Week 2025, please visit www.ckan.ie

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