Burrow. Stim. Fidget.

Unmasking Nature

Beta Festival 2026

6 – 22 November

Unmasking Nature is a sensory feast, foraged from the rich biodiversity of Ireland for the diverse ways people connect to the world around us.

Feel the temperature change as you dig your hands deep into a bowl of acorns.
Listen to a pinecone’s tune as you run your fingers over its ridges.

 

Society pressures neurodivergent people to mask their true selves. Yet, nature depends on diversity. Unmasking Nature is your sanctuary for restoration. Your very own cúinne an ghiorria / hare’s corner – margins of land in Irish tradition left to wild and to flourish.

 

Unmask and rewild yourself in the hare’s corner, embrace neurodiversity as biodiversity.

AUGMENTED
ALTERED
BODY
MIND
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“When we recognise ourselves as part of nature, we begin to understand our role in protecting the places and ecosystems we depend upon. Unmasking Nature encourages us to become custodians of the natural world, to nurture biodiversity and help create the conditions for life to thrive. Protecting the biodiversity of the world protects the neurodiversity of the world.” – AlanJames Burns

Unmasking Nature

Beta Festival

6 – 22 November 2026 

 

The Bank, at The Digital Hub, Thomas St, Dublin 8

Wednesday – Sunday,

12 – 6pm

Accessibility

The Unmasking Nature exhibition is designed with neurodivergent and disabled people in mind, with spaces to rest, stim and explore at your own pace.

Exhibition access includes:

  • Wheelchair Access
  • Embedded Irish Sign Language 
  • Open Captions
  • Embedded Audio Description
  • Relaxed environment
  • Navi Lens
  • Dedicated Quiet Space
  • Know Before You Go 

Previous Iterations

Unmasking Nature Foraging For Senses

10 September 2025

Cavan Burren Park

—

Codema's Decarbonising Dublin Summit

21 October 2025

Aviva Stadium

—

Creative Ireland Shared Island Conference

13 November 2025

Croke Park

—

Disrupt Disability Arts Festival

5 – 7 March 2026

Project Arts Centre

Led by artist AlanJames Burns in partnership with Dublin City University and Rinn AI. Unmasking Nature and Divergently Together are funded by The Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland Discover Programme, 2025 – 2026 and Creative Climate Action fund, 2024 – 2025, an initiative from the Creative Ireland Programme with Shared Ireland funding by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport in collaboration with the Department of the Taoiseach; and supported by Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark, Cavan County Council, Fermanagh & Omagh District Council and Beta Festival.

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