Sensinema Brings Accessible Outdoor Cinema to Dublin Parks with Song of the Sea at Herbert Park
Sensinema, a pioneering initiative developed by Happenings and Neuroconvergence, is bringing accessible outdoor cinema to Dublin's parks this September, with a screening of Tomm Moore's Oscar-nominated animated masterpiece Song of the Sea at Herbert Park in Ballsbridge on Saturday, September 12 — an event designed to make the magic of cinema available to neurodiverse audiences, those with sensory sensitivities, and families who have found traditional cinema environments inaccessible or overwhelming.
Background
Sensinema was developed in response to a clear and well-documented gap in cultural provision: the reality that many neurodiverse individuals — those with autism, ADHD, sensory processing differences, and related conditions — find traditional cinema environments difficult or impossible to navigate. The combination of darkness, loud sound, confined spaces, and the social expectation of silence and stillness creates a sensory environment that can be genuinely distressing for people with sensory sensitivities, effectively excluding them from one of the most popular forms of cultural participation.
The outdoor cinema format addresses many of these barriers. Screenings take place in open-air park settings where the ambient light and sound levels are more manageable, where movement is not restricted, and where the social norms are more relaxed. The Sensinema initiative goes further, designing its events specifically with neurodiverse audiences in mind: the sound levels are carefully calibrated, the lighting is managed to avoid sudden changes, and the overall environment is designed to be welcoming and predictable for those who find unpredictability stressful.
Happenings and Neuroconvergence, the organisations behind Sensinema, have been working in the field of accessible cultural programming for several years, developing expertise in how to design events that genuinely serve neurodiverse audiences rather than simply making token accommodations. The outdoor cinema initiative represents a significant expansion of their work, bringing accessible cinema to public parks that are already familiar and comfortable spaces for many families.
Key Developments
The September 12 screening of Song of the Sea at Herbert Park in Ballsbridge is the first of two Sensinema events planned for the month. Song of the Sea, directed by Tomm Moore and released in 2014, is an Irish animated film that draws on the mythology of the selkie — the seal-folk of Irish and Scottish legend — to tell a story of loss, love, and the power of storytelling. The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and is widely regarded as one of the finest Irish films of the past decade, combining stunning visual artistry with a deeply felt emotional narrative.
The second September screening will take place at St Anne's Park in Raheny on September 26, featuring The Secret of Kells — Moore's earlier animated film, also Oscar-nominated, which tells the story of the creation of the Book of Kells. Both films are particularly well-suited to the Sensinema format: they are visually rich, emotionally engaging, and rooted in Irish cultural heritage, making them accessible and meaningful to a wide range of audiences.
The Herbert Park screening will take place in the afternoon, with the timing chosen to maximise accessibility for families with young children and to take advantage of the natural light conditions in the park. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, cushions, and any sensory aids that help them to manage their environment, and the organisers have indicated that there will be no expectation of silence or stillness during the screening.
Why It Matters
Sensinema matters because it addresses a genuine inequality in cultural access. The right to participate in cultural life — to watch films, attend concerts, visit museums — is not equally distributed in Irish society, and neurodiverse individuals and their families face barriers that are often invisible to those who do not experience them. The outdoor cinema format, combined with the specific design choices that Sensinema makes, removes many of those barriers and creates an environment in which neurodiverse audiences can enjoy cinema on their own terms.
The choice of Irish animated films — Song of the Sea and The Secret of Kells — is also significant. Both films are products of the remarkable creative ecosystem that has developed around Irish animation in recent decades, centred on Cartoon Saloon in Kilkenny. By screening these films in accessible outdoor settings, Sensinema is not only providing a cultural service but also celebrating and promoting Irish creative achievement to audiences who might not otherwise encounter it.
Local Impact
Herbert Park in Ballsbridge is one of Dublin's most beloved green spaces, used daily by families, dog walkers, and sports enthusiasts from the surrounding neighbourhoods of Ballsbridge, Donnybrook, and Ranelagh. The Sensinema screening will bring a new dimension to the park's cultural life, attracting families from across the city who are seeking accessible outdoor entertainment. St Anne's Park in Raheny, the venue for the September 26 screening, serves the communities of Raheny, Clontarf, and Dollymount on Dublin's northside, providing accessible cinema to a part of the city that is less well-served by cultural venues than the city centre.
What's Next
The September 26 screening of The Secret of Kells at St Anne's Park will conclude Sensinema's autumn outdoor cinema programme. The organisers are expected to announce plans for further events in 2027, building on the experience and feedback from the 2026 screenings. The initiative has attracted interest from other local authorities and cultural organisations across Ireland, and there is potential for the Sensinema model to be replicated in other cities and towns.
