Gallery: Meath Autism Network's Sensory Garden officially opens in Ardbraccan
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Men’s Shed members Brendan Weldon, Gerry Rennicks, Ray McGovern, Gerry Doherty, Richard Brady, Dessie Murtagh, Johnny Murtagh.Image 2 of 7
Senator Linda Nelson Murray, Cllr Alan Lawes, Deputy Ashling Dempsey, and Ed Bridge, chairperson, Meath Autism Network, with friends cutting the ribbon on the sensory garden at An Tobar. Photos: Nathan MaherImage 3 of 7
Philip Szabo and Adela Rus.Image 4 of 7
Audrey Ferguson and Alice Hayden with the goodies.Image 5 of 7
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Mary Doherty, Louise Bridge, chairperson of Meath Autism Network, Ed Bridge, former chairperson, Sharon Emmett, and Mary Bartley Meehan.Meath Autism Network's Sensory Garden was recently officially opened at An Tobar, Ardbraccan, Navan, where the network has been meeting every Saturday morning since 2023.
Meath Autism Network is a registered charity, founded in 2006 by a group of parents in Meath to provide support for families impacted by ASD. It became a registered charity in 2008. Thanks to the kindness of the Spiritan Fathers and Fr Peter, they have been using a building in An Tobar since 2023 for weekly meet ups, with activities for the children. Currently there are around 20 active families involved. The network also organise social outings for member families, mainly during school holidays, to promote social inclusion and help expose families to suitable activities.
In 2024, An Tobar made a space available to the network to develop a sensory garden. Thanks to support from so many different people, the space has been transformed with raised beds built, a covered area for use on wet days constructed, the walls and ground cleaned and painted and initial planting completed. Much of the work was done by the An Tobar Men’s Shed who meet there on Wednesday every week. They help out with local projects that match their skills including previously helping to provide a sensory garden in Boyerstown National School. They also provide social trips for their members.
Meath TD, Aisling Dempsey and Senator Linda Nelson Murray joined Cllr Alan Lawes to open the new sensory garden on the morning of Saturday 18th April. Meath Autism Network thanks Meath County Council for their financial support of the garden, as well as Cllrs Alan Lawes, Sarah Reilly and Emer Toibin who helped with getting funding.
They also thank local businesses who assisted in providing materials for the garden including Flanagan Timber Duleek, Landscaping Solutions Ltd, Beechmount Garden Centre, Woodies Navan and Boyne Garden Centre, Slane. The garden will be a great asset for Meath Autism Network’s weekly meet ups.
If you’re interested in joining come along any Saturday morning between 11am and 12, or contact (086) 242 9402.