Setting the standard for inclusive events
For over 1.1 million people in Ireland living with a disability or additional needs, attending a cultural or sporting event can feel like more trouble than it’s worth.
Able Events turns that headache – or simple impossibility – to a day of pure joy.
“Ireland’s first and largest music and arts festival for people with additional needs.”
”The festival is catered towards every kind of disability and is a fantastic day out for everyone.”
“Killarney’s first ever AbleFest proved a high quality event on Sunday as an ideal day.”
KEY FACTS
Why our work can’t wait
1.1m+
people in Ireland live with a disability or additional needs
8%
of them experience these challenges to a great extent
18k+
have already attended Able Events across Ireland
9
fully inclusive Able Events planned for 2026
WHAT WE DO
We’re building a world where everyone is more than welcome
Able Events CLG is an Irish non-profit delivering fully accessible, inclusive events across Ireland. Since 2018, we’ve welcomed over 18,000 people of all abilities to a wonderful time of belonging and fun.
Since launching Ireland’s first fully inclusive music festival, we’ve:
- delivered music, sport, motoring and recognition events
- partnered with local authorities and national stakeholders
- advised and supported other event organisers
- created a scalable model for inclusive events.
We’re more than event organisers. This is a movement.
Trusted and recognised
“AbleFest embodies the very best of community, creativity and inclusivity in County Meath.”
— Meath County Council
OUR BLUEPRINT
What makes Able Events different?
Inclusion is designed in, not added on.
While venues typically have toilets for people with disabilities, these are rarely truly accessible. What that can mean in reality is families and individuals staying at events for short periods or not going at all, as someone cannot use the bathroom.
To make sure everyone can enjoy our events for as long as they like while maintaining their dignity, every Able Event features one or more AccessoLoos.
These are mobile units containing spacious and fully equipped bathrooms with hoists, adult-size changing beds, grab rails and more. They often include a shower too.
At Able Events, there’s space for everyone. That includes people with autism or others who can get overwhelmed by the crowds and noise of a big event.
Alongside the fun, we offer dedicated Crinion sensory rooms and SPINI pods for some calm time out.
The sensory rooms include interactive elements such as crash mats, bean bags, ball pits and tactile wall panels, as well as visual stimulation or calming vibes with bubble tubes, mirror displays, coloured lights and more.
And the SPINI pods are soundproof booths containing a SPINI chair with VR headset, a purpose-built chair developed with neurodevelopmental specialists to help neurodiverse people regulate quickly and calmly.
Able Events set the standard for inclusivity, so we always ensure the venues we use are fully wheelchair-accessible — it’s vital to our barrier-free events.
That’s not all. We use hundreds of wheelchair mats and ramps to make every corner of ever event completely accessible – indoors or out.
Instead of being confined to one limited area of an event, often with no food and drink on offer, and sometimes with no bathroom access, people with disabilities and additional needs can go everywhere at Able Events — just as it should be.
Our event volunteers understand the nuances of additional needs.
Our volunteers are always Garda-vetted and have experience in helping in inclusive environments, whether that’s through supporting a family member or working with people with additional needs or disabilities.
No matter what, our volunteers treat every single person who comes to Able Events with warmth, respect and the right level of care.
Inclusivity is about more then being able to go to an event. As we always say, ‘If you can’t see it, you can’t be it’. We want a world where people of all abilities appear on stage and as the big names on event posters.
That’s why, from workshops to open-mic opportunities, we give everyone a chance to be a star.
At Ablefest in Fairyhouse Racecourse, for example, we set up an open mic stage in the bar, where anyone can get up and sing a song or do another party piece.
Last year, everyone was blown away by the incredible talent on show.
We can’t wait to see who wows the audience at our next open mic!
WHY SUPPORT IS VITAL
Inclusion on this scale requires investment
Your donation or sponsorship funds:
Specialized equipment
Hiring the accessible facilities that make our events unique
Event production
Venue hire, insurance, stages, audiovisual equipment, social media and more
Scaling the movement
Adding more events, raising awareness, building our team and ensuring accountability
Free tickets for carers
And subsidised tickets for those in need
OUR EVENTS
We offer high-energy events year-round
MUSIC & CULTURE
AbleFest, Ireland’s first truly inclusive music festival, has expanded into TradFest and St Patrick’s Festiaval Killarney as well.
SPORT
Everyone can enjoy sporting days out at SoccerFest and the Able Spin rally for cars, lorries and tractors.
RECOGNITION
The Able Globe Awards is for people with special needs, their family and friends, featuring categories like bravery, kindness and talent.
OUR STORY
Two dads, one promise
After some tough event experiences, Irish dads Kevin Farrell and Shay Casserly decided their families deserved the same fun as everyone else. Two dads, one promise: no more missing out.
We started AbleFest to offer the magic of a day out, without the worry.
Today, Able Events CLG is a growing movement. We’re working not only to deliver inclusive events, but to influence standards in event accessibility across Ireland.And subsidised tickets for those in need. We’re more than event organisers. This is a movement.
Trusted and recognised
“For Kieran, these events mean ‘this world has a place for me’. For us, his family, they mean ‘we are not alone, and our child is valued’.”
— Brendan Crosbie, parent
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
If you don’t find an answer to your question here, please get in touch with Kevin@AbleEvents.ie.
Yes! Able Events sets the standard for inclusivity, and this means the event is fully wheelchair accessible indoors and out, with ramps and mats.
A fully inclusive event welcomes everybody equally, regardless of their differences. It models a world where everything is possible, for everyone. From amenities to programming, a fully inclusive event anticipates all attendees’ needs. And it makes for a truly joyful day out.
Yes! We have a range of opportunities to feature your brand on our website, promotional campaigns and across our festival sites. Our highly engaged and growing audience will associate your brand with their best-ever days out.
Able Events is setting new standards for inclusion in Ireland. Rather than treating accessibility as an afterthought, we bake it in from the start. We’re also advocating at the highest levels of government for better inclusion, and helping our growing network of partners raise their accessibility standards.
Your financial donations help us cover our expenses – from marketing to location hire, and from insurance to getting boots on the ground at our events.
We’re also grateful for your in-kind donations of equipment or services.
If your company is in the arts, music or events sector, you can support our mission of inclusivity by partnering with us to:
- enhance our events
- make your events more inclusive
- create new inclusive events.
Your help lets us keep building a more inclusive world.
We can help you try! We’re always keen to advise organisations that share our mission, so let’s work together to build a world where everyone’s more than welcome. Email Kevin@AbleEvents.ie to get started.
WE NEED YOU
Let’s build an Ireland where everyone is more than welcome
Able Events is empowering people with additional needs to participate fully in society and share the spotlight. But we can’t do it alone. Let’s change Ireland for the better.
Proud partners:
