Autism Awareness

  1. Home
  2. /
  3. Autism Awareness

SENSORY QUIET ZONE

We have appointed a Quiet Zone in the basecamp area which is Autism Friendly. In the quiet Zone you will find fidget toys, bean bags & a chill out area. Please ask one of our volunteers where to access the Quiet Zone.

Training

Various members within our team have completed training with ASiAM in advance of the Wander Wild Festival.  Please ask any of our volunteers who will be able to direct you to these specific members of our team. It is our goal that all Wander Wilders will be able to experience the festival in comfort and with the minimum of anxiety. We are here to help.

Signage

All of our venues will display the symbols below to ensure your ease of access to our festival.

For any queries, please visit us at our information office, located at Basecamp.

Wander Wild Autism Friendly

Visual Guides to events

Lakes of Killarney Kayak Tour

LAKE

You will see the above logo on our website where you can click the activity to book for our Lake events.

This will give an outline of what to expect on the Lakes of Killarney Kayak Tour.

How to get there

  • A Bus will pick you up at Basecamp – Outside Killarney Plaza Hotel.
  • There will be a sign on the bus that says WanderWild Festival.

OR

  • If Cycling or driving to the event the location will be on your ticket.

What to expect

  • Your guide will meet you there.
  • Everyone will be given a wetsuit to wear and a buoyancy aid.
  • The Kayaks have back supports to help.
  • Expect the trip to cover about 12km by kayak. During the trip your guide will tell you some facts about the area. The guide will stay with you and the group and support everyone.
  • This tour is on the water, and you may get wet. It might be cold.
  • You will hear the tranquil sounds of Killarneys lakes and maybe hear some birds too.

Lakeside Sauna Experience

LAKE

You will see the above logo on our website where you can click the activity to book for our Lake events.

This will give an outline of what to expect on the Lakeside Sauna Experience.

How to get there

  • A Bus will pick you up at Basecamp – Outside Killarney Plaza Hotel.
  • There will be signs on the bus that says Wander Wild Festival.

OR

  • If Cycling or driving to the event you can search the location on your map app on your phone.

What to expect

  • The Hosts of the event will meet you there.
  • Some people may go for a dip or a swim in the lake before going into the sauna.
  • You will need your swimsuit, your flip flops or suitable shoes as there will be sand, You will also need a towel and dry clothes for afterwards and a bottle of water.
  • Expect the experience to last for about 30 minutes.
  • It might be cold when you come out of the sauna.
  • You will see the mountains and lakes that surround the sauna location. You will hear the tranquil sounds of Killarneys lakes and maybe hear some wildlife too.

Gap of Dunloe Boat trip and Hike

MOUNTAIN

You will see the above logo on our website where you can click the activity to book for our Mountain events.

This will give an outline of what to expect on the Gap of Dunloe Hike and Boat trip to Ross Castle.

How to get there

  • A Bus will pick you up at Basecamp – Outside Killarney Plaza Hotel.
  • There will be signs on the bus that says Wander Wild Festival.
  • If driving to the event you can search the location on your map app on your phone.

What to expect

  • The Hosts of the event will meet you at Kate Kearney’s Cottage, Beaufort.
  • You will walk with the group for about 10km.
  • You will need your Hiking boots, warm layered clothing, a Jacket, Bring snacks and Bottle of water. It might be cold.
  • You will get a boat from Lord Brandons Cottage. The boat will bring you to Ross castle.
  • Expect the trip to last about 6 hours in total.
  • You will see the mountains and hear tranquil sounds as you go on a boat through the lake.

Sunrise Dip with the Salty Sea Sisters

LAKE

You will see the above logo on our website where you can click the activity to book for our Lake events.

This will give an outline of what to expect on the Sunrise Dip with the Salty Sea Sisters.

How to get there

  • A Bus will pick you up at Basecamp – Outside Killarney Plaza Hotel.
  • There will be signs on the bus that says Wander Wild Festival.

OR

  • If Cycling or driving to the event you can search the location on your map app on your phone.

What to expect

  • The Hosts of the event will meet you there.
  • Some people may go for a dip or a swim in the lake before going into the sauna.
  • You will need your swimsuit, your flip flops or suitable shoes as there will be sand, a towel,dry clothes for afterwards and a bottle of water.
  • Expect the experience to last for about 30 minutes.
  • It might be cold when you come out of the sauna.
  • You will see the mountains and lakes that surround the sauna location.
  • You will hear the tranquil sounds of Killarneys lakes and maybe hear some birds too.

Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) Tours

LAKE

You will see the above logo on our website where you can click the activity to book for our Lake events.

This will give an outline of what to expect on the SUP Tours.

How to get there

  • A Bus will pick you up at Basecamp – Outside Killarney Plaza Hotel.
  • There will be signs on the front and side of the bus that says Wander Wild Festival.

OR

  • If Cycling or driving to the event you can search the location on your map app on your phone.

 

What to expect

  • The Hosts of the event will meet you there.
  • The Guide will stay with you for the duration of the event.
  • You will stand on a paddleboard to paddle around the lake.
  • Wear Trainers that you don’t mind getting wet and wear your swimsuit under your clothes.
  • Don’t wear cotton clothes. Bring a Towel and Spare clothes and spare shoes for after the activity. Bring a bottle of water.
  • It might be cold when you come out of the water.
  • You will see the mountains and lakes that surround the sauna location.
  • You will hear the tranquil sounds of Killarney lakes and maybe hear or see wildlife also.

Wim Hof Method Workshop

MIND

You will see the mind logo next the mind event you wish to book on our website.

This will give an outline of what to expect at the Wim Hof Method Workshop.

How to get there

  • You will go to the Killarney Plaza hotel for the first part of the workshop.
  • Afterwards a Bus will pick you up at Basecamp – Outside Killarney Plaza Hotel.
  • There will be signs on the bus that say Wander Wild Festival , you will go on the bus to Dundag Beach to practise the methods learnt in the workshop.

What to expect

  • The Hosts of the event Leo Ryan will meet you there.
  • You will learn about Cold Therapy and breathing techniques & Mindset training in this workshop.
  • You will need your swimsuit, your flip flops or suitable shoes as there will be sand, a towel,dry clothes for afterwards and a bottle of water.
  • Expect the experience to last for 4 hours.
  • It might be cold when you come out of the lake.
  • You will see the mountains and lakes that surround the Dundag beach location.
  • You will hear the tranquil sounds of Killarneys lakes and maybe hear other nature sounds also.

Mountain, Hiking & Rock climbing Events

MOUNTAIN

Above is the logo you will see on our website for Mountain events.

This will give an outline of what to expect on the Mountain, Hiking & Rock climbing events.

How to get there

  • A Bus will pick you up at Basecamp – Outside Killarney Plaza Hotel.
  • There will be signs on the bus that say Wander Wild Festival.

OR

  • If Cycling or driving to the event you can search the location on your map app on your phone.
  • Please check the location of your event to ensure you can get there easily.

What to expect

  • The Hosts of the event will meet you there.
  • You will need your Water and Snacks for the day. Warm, layered clothes are recommended with Hiking boots and a jacket & hat.
  • Expect the experience to last for a few hours.
  • It might be cold when you finish your hike or Climb.
  • You will see the mountains and lakes that surround the location.
  • You will hear the tranquil sounds of the surrounding area.

MIND Wellness Events

MIND

You will see this logo on our website next to MIND Wellness events.

  • This will give an outline of what to expect at the various wellness events that will take place at the festival.
  • The Activities that will take place at ANAM are:
  • Yoga, Breathwork Class, Energy healing sessions,
  • Please note at the Healing Sound bath there may be some louder sounds at times during the class.

What to expect

  • The Hosts of your event will meet you there.
  • You will need your Yoga mat for Yoga events or if you do not have it there will be mats there to use and a bottle of water.
  • Expect the experience to last from 30 to 45 minutes depending on your booking.
  • There may be soothing smells of various calming relaxing scents.
  • This area is generally a quiet soft sounding area.
  • You will hear the tranquil sounds of some background music at some events.

Basecamp Events

This will give an outline of what to expect at our Basecamp

What is Basecamp:  The Central Hub for the weekend of the festival at Kenmare Place.

The following will at Basecamp:

  • Information Desk & ticket sales.
  • Some kids Entertainment areas.
  • Outdoor music Bands and Dj.
  • The Merchandise shop.
  • Food Vendors.
  • Marquees here that will have various events and workshops in them over the 3 days.

Where is Basecamp

The area around the outside of the Killarney Plaza Hotel and outside St Marys Church, Kenmare Place, Killarney.

What to expect

  • There will be lots of activity in this area.
  • Expect to hear music and at times large gatherings of people will be here to see music bands or to attend events in the marquee.

Self – Guided Walks & Cycles

PARK

This will give an outline of what to expect on Self-Guided Walks.

You will need to bring your own bicycle or you can rent a bike in town with O’Sullivan’s Cycles.

How to get there

  • You will walk Cycle or drive to the area with the map that is on the website or collect a map from our basecamp information office.
  • If Cycling or driving to the event you can search the location on your map app on your phone.

What to expect

  • These are Self-Guided so please follow the maps.
  • You will need comfortable shoes, a jacket and water.
  • You will see interesting places like Muckross, O’Sullivans Cascade or Ross Castle and the lakes depending on which Self-Guided walk or cycle you choose.

KIDS EVENTS 

Gruffalo Treasure Hunt In the National Park and various locations in town for Kids Orienteering – these events may have louder more animated sounds.

Autism Friendly Walk at the Blue Pool Trail – Volunteers from Killarney Autism friendly committee will accompany you on this guided magical walk of the blue pool.

A bus will bring you from basecamp in town to the blue pool.

Kids Yoga takes place at ANAM – quiet space with soft surrounding’s.

Kids Musical Workshops take place at Killarney Plaza hotel – music and dance will be a key part of these events. There may be bright lights at this event.

Art House Experience – small group activity.

Drum Circle and sound garden at Basecamp – expect louder music with large numbers of children.

Ciar’s Quest – an independent activity can be done at own pace and in own time.

Please inform us in advance of any special requirements for your child email us on info@wanderwildfestival.com

Music and Cultural Events

Music Event– Bressie & friends at St Marys Church – This will be a large event with approx. 200 people in attendance to listen to Bressie and friends perform in the St Marys Church setting in the evening with various instruments and music styles.

The sound on the night may vary from soft music to louder sounds throughout the evening.

Fireside Chats – These are small gatherings in local pubs in a comfortable and relaxed setting where you will get to hear inspiring stories from various local adventure seeking people!

Seanchoiche – ordinary people telling extraordinary stories in an outdoor courtyard pub setting with approx. 150 people  – dress warm to this event. It may be loud at times with laughing and clapping sounds and bright lights.

All events must be booked on www.wanderwildfestival.com

This is a visual guide to our events but no bookings can be made from these pages.

The following is a list of activities that may have a heightened sensory impact.

VISUAL

Kids Zone

 Basecamp Area

Night Walk

Pony Trek

Beat Party

Gap Of Dunloe

Music Events

SOUND

Barbie Musical class

Gruffalo

Music Events

Food Tour

Kids Zone

Basecamp Area

Hardman Event

Beat Party

Gap Of Dunloe

Seanchoiche

SMELL

Sauna

Food Tour

Kids Zone

Pilates

Breath Work

Yoga

Wellness at ANAM

Basecamp Area

Pony Trek

Gap Of Dunloe

Basecamp Area Food Vendors

Cacao Ceremony