A sensory walking event co-created by a community of cross-border neurodivergent collaborators, led by artist AlanJames Burns with Insight Research Ireland Centre for Data Analytics, Dublin City University
Awash with texture and tiny details, Unmasking Nature’s guided geopark experience is shaped by sensory cues, rather than traditional mapping techniques. This bold, original project is a permission slip to step away from societal systems that cage us.
The event explored joyful ways of engaging with the natural world. Co-designed with neurodivergent people who came together as a community over several months, the walk route takes inspiration from their special interests, and is created with disabled participants in mind. Opportunities to experience their creative responses to the site include “deep dive” information points, in addition to the insights of professionals and experts in the areas of fungi, food foraging and biophilia.
Unmasking Nature
Bringing together neurodivergent communities, the profound healing potential of the natural world and environmental awareness.
At its core, Unmasking Nature asks, “What does it mean to be neurodivergent in nature?”. Across this event we celebrate people’s connection to nature through stimming and emotional cartography. By embracing feel-good, intuitive explorations to the geopark’s deeply interconnected sensory landscape, the project invites event participants to engage with themes such as biodiversity and more-than-human communication (including with plants, animals and inanimate elements) through an inclusive, neurodivergent lens.
The Context
Our society, which often demands conformity, causes many people to mask their true selves. Nature offers radical relief: acceptance without judgment and unconditional belonging. Neurodivergence and biodiversity both thrive in freedom and variety. Every tangle of roots, mossy stone and blooming Dandelion is not just a biodiversity success signal, but a metaphor for the vibrancy of neurodiversity.
Through immersive experiences and moments of soft fascination, Unmasking Nature encourages us all to arrive with a curious outlook, and leave with a renewed sense of connection to the varied, beautiful ways that minds can move through the world.
Foraging for senses
One of the ways this project embraces both aspects is by foraging for senses. Being free from the need to mask or adapt to neurotypical expectations supports sensory regulation and boosts calmness and creativity. During the walk, together we will explore how natural environments proffer a sense of ease and belonging within them. Participants are urged to open themselves up to what’s often overlooked, to experience nature’s richness from a different vantage point, and to break free from the confining patterns that shape how we sense, move and feel our way through the world.
“I loved all the presentations, the approach and inclusively of the event. The idea of using natural objects for comfort is something I do instinctively but never understood why until today. It’s really helped me to feel more accepting of myself.”
This location has significantly influenced the development of the project, which is rooted in lived experience, sensory regulation, and the deep, brain-massaging focus of neurodivergent passions.
We are delighted to collaborate with the Cavan Burren Park at Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark. A stunning UNESCO Global Geopark spanning the border between Fermanagh Omagh District Council and Cavan County Council, the location, which features unique geological formations, rich biodiversity and cultural heritage sites, promotes conservation, education and sustainable tourism.
This event includes:
British Sign Language (BSL)
Irish Sign Language (ISL)
Audio Description (AD)
Dedicated Sensory Area on-site, available for anyone to use during the event
Please let us know when booking if you require any other accessibility accommodations.
View our Know Before You Go document for this event
