Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors

2026 National Outdoor Recreation Conference.

Alan had the pleasure of doing a presentation as part of the ‘Adventure for ALL’ breakout session–talking about why access to nature is so important.

Join AlanJames Burns at Bristol City Hall from 2:00 – 3:00 on 20 June 2026 for a talk and screening. You are invited to engage with themes such as biodiversity and more-than-human communication (including with plants, animals and inanimate elements) through an inclusive, neurodivergent lens.

 During the event we will celebrate people’s connection to nature through stimming. Stimming, short for ‘self-stimulatory behaviour’, refers to repetitive movements or sounds that people make to help regulate their sensory input, emotions or focus. 

This event is a permission slip to step away from societal systems that cage us. 

Join us, slow down, and touch grass.

We’re delighted to announce that as a result of collaboration between Divergently Together and Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark, the Geopark has launched over 100 ‘Know Before You Go’ guides, marking a significant step forward in making the Geopark a more accessible and inclusive destination for all.

In early 2025, through a series of creative workshops and discussions, participants co-designed responses to the climate emergency grounded in neurodivergent experiences and perspectives. This process led to collaboration with Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark and the Regenerative Tourism Business Network, where a shared commitment to accessibility and inclusion quickly became the foundation for joint working.

This is a powerful example of how community-led ideas can translate into lasting, practical change, improving access, and benefiting thousands of visitors across the region. These guides help remove barriers to participation and support more people to connect with nature with confidence.

AlanJames Burns had the opportunity to speak at the Advancing Accessibility in Transport conference hosted by the National Disability Authority’s Centre for Excellence in Universal Design in collaboration with Accessible EU.

The ‘Lived Experience’ panel was a converstion with people with disabilities and user-led organisations, focusing on practical barriers, accessibility gaps, and priorities for the future. 

Chaired by Jack Kavanagh; Panelists: Fiona Weldon, Elaine Howley, John Fulham, Kevin Kelly and Gary Kearney.

Our Place opens at VISUAL, Carlow as part of Carlow Arts Festival!

Experience an immersive sound and light exhibition that playfully explores themes of human rights, happiness and belonging. In collaboration with people supported by Delta Centre, the Our Place team has developed a new installation for VISUAL Carlow, commissioned by Carlow Arts Festival.

Led by artists AlanJames Burns and Sinéad McCann, and co-designers Patrick Fitzgerald and Tony Davis. Created with Composer and Sound Designer Peter Power, and Exhibition Designer Ciara Murnane.

28 May – 30 August 2026

VISUAL, Carlow

Disrupt Disability Arts Festival returns 5 – 7 March 2026. Disrupt is a disability-led and disability-focused arts festival championing the creativity, voices, and perspectives of disabled artists. Now entering its third year, the festival brings together theatre, dance, literature-based performance and visual arts, all delivered through relaxed engagement formats in Dublin and online that ensure accessibility for audiences across Ireland and beyond.

Disrupt is a boundary-pushing celebration of disability arts that challenges stereotypes. The festival actively dismantles barriers to artistic engagement, providing a shared space where artists and audiences with lived experience of disability can come together to reimagine what art and access can be. The unique festival is growing with care. Disrupt is a movement rooted in community and inclusion, focused on building a sustainable platform that amplifies disabled voices and reshapes narratives while celebrating the richness of disabled experience

Divergently Together has been shortlisted for an Aontas Star Award in the Social Change Category! 

The Aontas STAR Awards celebrate the achievements of adult learning initiatives going on across Ireland, as part of the AONTAS Adult Learners’ Festival. The Social Change Category, sponsored by the Department of Adult and Community Education in Maynooth University, acknowledges the contributions of adult learning initiatives that are bringing about positive social change. You can find some information on the awards and the full shortlist here. 

We are delighted to be acknowledged by Aontas for the fantastic contributions made by our learners and collaborators, and we’re very excited to join them at the awards ceremony in April!