Neuroconvergence, a bold new neurodivergent-led initiative, will launch its first major national free event at the UCD Student Centre on Friday, October 18.
This vibrant, inclusive gathering marks the beginning of a multi-year campaign supported by Rethink Ireland’s Disability Participation and Awareness Fund, with additional backing from Dublin City Council (DCC), Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council (DLRCC), and University College Dublin (UCD).
Born from lived experience and deep community collaboration, Neuroconvergence is a unity project: designed to bring together Ireland’s diverse neurodivergent community — from charities and professionals to creators, students, and families — to co-create change, celebrate creativity, and build a more inclusive society.
“This is more than an event — it’s a convergence of minds, perspectives, and possibilities,” says Peter O’Brien, founder of Neuroconvergence.
“We are creating a space where neurodivergent voices lead, and where institutions, individuals, and communities come together to imagine a more inclusive Ireland — one conversation, one collaboration, one celebration at a time.”
The October 18 event at UCD will feature:
An in-person sector-wide organisational and advocates meeting to explore unity and collective power from 12 pm to 2 pm
Followed by a public-facing festival event a public-facing festival experience with a variety of events – All welcome
Performances and creative arts with neurodivergent artists, creators, movers and shakers!!
Interactive panels with neurodivergence experts, academics, scientists, artists, and advocates
Creative workshops, sensory spaces, and wellbeing zones
A lived experience programme co-curated with partner organisations
A marketplace of ideas from across the neurodiversity sector
Sensory screening in the student center cinema
Student involvement and academic collaboration from UCD’s Neurodiversity Group
This flagship event launches a wider programme of live and online activities, including a podcast series, online meet ups of different sectors engaging in the area, and national outreach through 2025 and beyond.
The project is guided by a core team of neurodivergent individuals and supported by a growing network of Irish charities, advocacy groups, state agencies and the neurodivergent creative community.
Neuroconvergence aims to build an open-source platform for inclusion — a “collective brain” model — where all minds are valued and all voices are heard.