A sensory walking event co-created by the Divergently Together 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 was 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 was created with disabled participants in mind. Opportunities to experience their creative responses to the site included “deep dive” information points, in addition to the insights of professionals and experts in the areas of fungi, food foraging and biophilia.
Unmasking Nature
At its core, Unmasking Nature asks, “What does it mean to be neurodivergent in nature?”. Across this event we celebrated people’s connection to nature through stimming. By embracing feel-good, intuitive explorations to the geopark’s deeply interconnected sensory landscape, the project invited event participants to engage with themes such as biodiversity and more-than-human communication through an inclusive, neurodivergent lens.
“I loved all the presentations, the approach and inclusivity 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.”
– Event Attendee
We were delighted to collaborate with Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark and the Cavan Burren Park. 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 included:
British Sign Language (BSL)
Irish Sign Language (ISL)
Audio Description (AD)
Know Before You Go Guides (KBYG)
Dedicated Sensory Area on-site.
View our Know Before You Go document for this event