Fun fleadh experience for adults with disabilities, families and friends

What was described as ‘a fun and inclusive dance experience for adults with disabilities and their friends and families’ drew a sell-out crowd to the Bandhall in Mullingar on Wednesday.

Louise O’Connor, a fiddle player, sean-nós and céilí dance instructor from Clare, led the event, with the assistance of a team of volunteers.

She told the Westmeath Examiner on the day that her “background is in working in disability services, so I put together this event, which is a ceili for adults with different abilities”.

“It’s really designed for people who might have accessibility problems with other, bigger ceili events, so it’s a small scale event, where the dances are slowed down, and the music is tailored to what people like, and it’s wheelchair friendly.”

Louise said she was facilitated by the fleadh to run the disco, and there are two this year, which means it’s doubled in size from last year.

She said: “Thanks to everyone at the fleadh for helping us put this together. Kim Magee and Aisling Coleman helped me organise it, and thanks to all the staff and volunteers here for helping out.”