Latest news with #AsIAm
Irish Independent
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Summer picnic in the park coming to Greystones next month
Organised by Greystones Town Team, the free community event invites families, neighbours, and visitors of all ages to come together for an afternoon of entertainment, connection and summer fun. This beloved event has become a highlight of the Greystones calendar – not only for its joyful atmosphere and family-friendly entertainment, but also for its community-first ethos. The message is simple: bring a picnic, bring your people, and enjoy a great day out. Visitors are encouraged to pack a picnic basket or support local by picking up food from one of Greystones' cafés and food outlets along the main street. This year marks an exciting new chapter for Picnic in the Park with the introduction of a dedicated sensory area and sensory bus, created in partnership with AsIAm and Greystones Autism Friendly Town. The space has been designed to provide a calm, welcoming environment for those with sensory needs, a big step forward in making the event truly inclusive for all members of the community. The afternoon will feature an entertaining line-up of entertainment across multiple areas of the park. Families can look forward to: Joe the Magician (from RTÉ) Live music from Robbie Doyle, Huegrass, Canadh Le Ceile, and the Beating Time Choir Traditional Irish music from Cruinniú High-energy displays from Greystones Taekwondo, led by Master Wheatley A colourful performance by the Greystones Baton Twirlers Children's entertainment from Kids Club Ireland, including face painting, balloon artists, mascots, and a live reptile show Dedicated kids' play zones and interactive activities Commenting on Picnic in the Park, Evelyn Murray, rural development officer, said: 'We're proud to support events like Picnic in the Park that bring communities together in inclusive and meaningful ways.' Deirdre Joyce, community liaison officer at Codling Wind Park and principle commercial sponsor, added: 'Codling is delighted to help create a vibrant community event that celebrates the people of Greystones every year. The event gives newcomers and long-time residents a chance to make new and long lasting connections and friendships across all ages' The event is also supported and sponsored by a wide network of local businesses and organisations including Daly's SuperValu, Greystones Nursing Home, Jokers, BAM, and Vick's Café. Looking ahead to the event, Tom O'Mahony, chair of Greystones Town Team, said: 'Picnic in the Park is a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together, enjoy each other's company, and create lasting memories. We hope everyone whether you're a long-time resident or new to Greystones feels welcome and included. This year's addition of the sensory area is an important step in making sure there is something for everyone to enjoy.' Cathaoirleach Lourda Scott attended the launch event to officially kick off the build-up to what promises to be Greystones' biggest community celebration of the summer. Admission is free.
Irish Independent
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Kerry hosts fastest ever paralympian and hundreds of experts at adapted physical activity conference
The event was attended by international researchers, educators and advocates from the field of adapted physical activity Kerryman Almost 500 delegates from around the world visited Tralee to attend this year's International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity (ISAPA) at the Munster Technological University Kerry North Campus this week. The ISAPA conference, held at MTU Tralee from Monday, June 16 to Friday, June 20, was attended by a host of researchers, educators and advocates from the field of adapted physical activity. Among the expert speakers at the event were Jason Smyth, one of Ireland's most decorated sports stars and holder of the title of the fastest Paralympian in history, and Dr Robert Steadward, an award-winning teacher and sport scientist who serves as an honorary member of the International Paralympic Committee. Adam Harris, founder of Ireland's autism charity AsIAm, and brother of former Taoiseach Simon Harris, was also in attendance. The conference provided a powerful platform for collaboration and innovation as it combined five major events under one umbrella. The events comprised of ISAPA 2025, the International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment or Deafblindness, Mental Health Summit, UNESCO–ISAPA International Consultation on Policy Change for Disability Inclusion in Sport and the Disability Sport, Physical Education and Mental Health Trade Exhibition. Organisers said the conference in Tralee underscored a global commitment to inclusion, innovation and impact in sport and physical activity for people of all abilities.
Irish Examiner
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Rosie O'Donnell to perform in two back-to-back comedy shows in Dublin ahead of 3Olympia gig
Ahead of her 3Olympia Theatre show in July, US comedian Rosie O'Donnell will headline two Dublin shows on June 11. Spoons!, a show for neurodivergent and disabled comedians, takes place at Sin É on Ormond Quay. O'Donnell will donate her fee to AsIAm. Ian Lynam ( Autistic License) will be MC, joined by Jay Fitz, Jo Jarvie, MJ Stokes, and Nate Thomas. Speaking to the Irish Examiner on booking The Flintstones and Tarzan star, Mr Lynam said: "Rosie had already begun performing in Irish venues, but expressed an interest in playing to a specifically queer audience. 'She also enquired about Spoons!, my show featuring a line-up of neurodivergent and disabled performers. I think it's no surprise that both causes would be close to her heart. 'Rosie's LGBT+ bona fides speak for themselves, with continued advocacy since at least 2002. This has only intensified through her child Clay, who is non-binary. Clay is also autistic, which leads to [Rosie's] interest in Spoons!. 'Rosie has not been regularly performing in over a decade and, overall, I think she's looking for fresh and diverse audiences to test her material out. 'I was amazed to hear of her interest in Hysteria [Comedy at Sin É], but I was even more amazed that she was agreeing to do two shows back-to-back in one night.' The decision to donate her fee to AsIAm 'is linked to her advocacy on Clay's behalf', according to Mr Lynam 'She has donated the fee from every performance so far to the non-profit. I think to truly advocate for queer people is to advocate for neurodivergent people and vice-versa,' he said. 'Organisations like AsIAm argue that there is no single 'right' way for a person to exist and advocate so the same opportunities and dignities can be afforded to all people, regardless of their support needs.' Actress and comedian Rosie O'Donnell, along with her 12-year-old autistic daughter Clay joined hundreds of people attending the AsIAm Same Chance - Walk for Autism in Dublin at Dublin's Malahide Castle. Picture: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland Later that evening, O'Donnell will be special guest in Token Straight Presents: Rosie O'Donnell & Friends from 8pm at Sin É. For Felix O'Connor, MC of the show, securing O'Donnell for a Pride month gig was 'equal parts thrill and nerves'. 'I think my first reaction was: 'Oh god, is our little club going to be worth her while? Is she going to be insulted with what we can offer her to headline?' She's obviously such a comedy legend. Hysteria is a comedy collective where Token Straight and ticketed shows operate on a profit-share model. Token Straight is the longest-running queer comedy night in Dublin and, Mr O'Connor believes, the only queer stand-up night currently operating. Other LGBT+ shows include Queer Note Glitter Cabaret and Egg in Bello Bar, while drag and one-off Pride shows happen elsewhere. Hysteria has worked with AsIAm before, with several collective members on the spectrum or with ADHD. Rosie was already working with AsIAm when contacted, he added. Actress and comedian Rosie O'Donnell on right walks with Adam Harris is the Founder and CEO of AsIAm and Eric Roberts Social Media Star joined hundreds of people attending the AsIAm Same Chance - Walk for Autism in Dublin at Dublin's Malahide Castle. Picture:Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland First-time audiences to Spoons! can expect 'a rich mix of performers from various backgrounds and identities,' Mr Lynam said. 'The ideal for Spoons! is to be material by neurodivergent artists for neurodivergent audiences. I want to create a space where autistic people can enjoy comedy without worrying they'll be picked on by someone on stage. 'One thing that Spoons! offers that makes it unique is that it's the one comedy show that still encourages performers and audience to wear masks. 'While it's easy to feel like covid is over, the reality is I saw a lot of friends with chronic illnesses and conditions too afraid to return to live shows in case they risked infection. The mask rule isn't about judging anyone or making them feel like they're doing something wrong, I'm just trying to carve out one safe space in a pub basement for my community to gather. 'On a personal note, I was recently diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease and may need to begin immunosuppressants, so this rule is now for my protection just as much as anyone else,' he added. The former The View co-host moved to Ireland after wildfires destroyed her Malibu home and following Donald Trump's re-election. On March 11, O'Donnell said on TikTok she is applying for Irish citizenship, as her grandparents were Irish. 'I'm trying to find a home here… when it's safe for all citizens to have equal rights in America, we'll consider coming back,' she said on TikTok. Spoons! starts at 6:30pm, with tickets from €8 on Eventbrite. The 8 p.m. Token Straight show is sold out. Hysteria Comedy runs three weekly shows at Sin É (@hysteriaireland on Instagram). Rosie O'Donnell's solo stand-up show, Common Ground, will take place at Dublin's 3Olympia Theatre on Sunday, July 27.
RTÉ News
29-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
PTSB launches new Sustainability Strategy up to 2027
PTSB has today launched its new Sustainability Strategy, which covers the years from 2025 to 2027, and which will focus on channeling investment and directing impact towards areas that enhance societal wellbeing. These include a specific focus on providing finance to SMEs that have an environmental and social impact as well as expanding supports for personal customers through sustainable products and services. The bank also plans to enhance its financial literacy and financial wellbeing and also plans to reducing carbon emissions in line with Science Based Targets. It will also invest in local community initiatives and advocating for social inclusion, such as PTSB's Community Funding Programme and its partnership with autism charity AsIAm. Meanwhile, a new report from PTSB shows that most Irish businesses are looking at new commercial opportunities in sustainability, in areas such as energy efficiency, climate technology, circular economy, renewable energy and organic food production. PTSB's latest "Reflecting Business" report also shows more and more Irish businesses see the benefits of sustainability initiatives for both their commercial and their environmental benefit. The research found that 78% of Irish businesses see the sustainability market as a major growth opportunity to win more customers and increase revenues, while 92% say their customers are interested in sustainable products and services. It also reveals that 74% of business here said they have supported customers in making more sustainable choices, or plan to do so, while 73% said they have engaged with suppliers to source more sustainable goods or services, or plan to do so. Meanwhile, 80% of businesses said they are are interested in Impact Lending, where loans are offered to businesses on the basis of providing a positive environmental or social impact. Despite rising costs and global economic uncertainty, today's research found cautious levels of optimism among businesses, with 98% of businesses expecting to grow or remain the same over the next 12 months. 45% are expecting growth, 53% expect to remain the same, while 2% expect to decline. PTSB said that increased cost of goods and global economic turbulence are seen as the biggest challenges to growth that face businesses, with 36% citing increased cost of goods as an issue and 35% citing global economic turbulence. But despite these headwinds, 80% of businesses feel it is likely or somewhat likely that they will invest further in their business over the next 12 months, with 20% saying they are not likely to. Leontia Fannin, PTSB's Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, said the research shows that more and more Irish businesses are identifying the commercial opportunities that sustainability can bring. "Customers are changing their buying habits to become more sustainable and businesses are increasingly seeing the benefits of reflecting this shift, enhancing both their own offering and how they source their supplies," she said. "By embracing sustainability, businesses are changing their behaviours, not just for the environmental and societal benefits this can bring, but for the cost efficiencies and commercial benefits too," she added. Seán Farrell, PTSB's Head of Business Banking, said the commercial case for sustainability is growing. He said that businesses have identified the importance that existing and potential customers are placing on sustainability, and they are reacting accordingly. "Our Reflecting Business research confirms that Irish businesses recognise the competitive and strategic advantage of embedding sustainability into their operations. This reflects our own experience, with 23% of our new SME lending in 2024 to businesses that have an environmental or social impact," he said. "Businesses who invest in sustainability are also investing in their growth potential by lowering their energy usage, transport costs and by reducing waste," he added.
RTÉ News
12-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
SuperValu and Centra's new charity partnership with DRS
SuperValu and Centra customers are being offered a new way to donate to charity through the country's Deposit Return Scheme. Customers returning cans and bottles at SuperValu and Centra stores will have the option to donate their deposit to the retailers' chosen charity partners. Up to €47m will be returned to SuperValu and Centra customers through the Deposit Return Scheme this year. SuperValu is supporting AsIAm, the country's autism charity, while Centra is partnering with the Irish Cancer Society. Up to €47m will be returned to SuperValu and Centra customers through the Deposit Return Scheme this year and more than 700 DRS machines between the two networks will be used. The campaign will be rolled out across 352 machines in the Centra network and 359 machines in the SuperValu network. The new initiative is being rolled out on an initial three-month basis with the two charity partners, and with SuperValu and Centra working with different charities throughout the year. Luke Hanlon, Managing Director SuperValu and Centra, said that the Deposit Return Scheme has been a success across SuperValu and Centra stores since the rollout last year. "This initiative gives our customers a simple and effective opportunity to support great causes while increasing awareness of the Deposit Return Scheme as a whole. We look forward to working with both charities to ensure the partnership reaches its fullest potential," he said. Adam Harris, CEO of AsIAm, said that customers donating their DRS vouchers to AsIAm at SuperValu stores nationwide is a powerful way for people to show their support to make Ireland a more inclusive place for the at least one in 20 people in Ireland who are autistic, and their families. Averil Power, CEO, Irish Cancer Society, said the initiative is a really important and valuable partnership for the Irish Cancer Society.
