Mayo town latest to launch ‘Autism Friendly Town’ group

Belmullet has become the latest Mayo town to launch an ‘Autism Friendly Town’ initiative in a bid to make the north Mayo hub more accessible for those living with the condition.

The group was launched on Friday, May 30, with autistic members of the community taking to the stage along with William Nestor, the manager of AsIAm Autism Friendly Towns, as well as representatives of BAFT and the Erris Youth Disability Network.

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The initiative aims to serve those with neurodiversity issues both in the town of Belmullet and around the region of Erris, which will aim to foster understanding and inclusion of those with autism in the area.

Belmullet joins Castlebar, Westport, Balla, and Ballina in having an ‘Autism Friendly Town’ organisation in the wake of the launch in Áran Inis Gluaire.

The aforementioned Nestor expressed his delight at the foundation of the group.

“As a Mayo man, I am delighted to see Belmullet beginning its journey to becoming the county’s newest Autism Friendly Town,” he stated.

“The committee members here have so much great experience between them all – they will be a fantastic support to any local businessperson who wishes to take part in this initiative and improve inclusion in their shop or office.”

Áine Conway, Belmullet Autism Friendly Town committee representative, added: “We’re here today to commit together to building a community where everyone feels understood, included, and truly supported. This initiative is about listening to autistic voices and embedding their experiences into how they encounter life in our town, and to ensure that no one ever feels that they need to mask who they are in order to belong.”

If you wish to find out more about Belmullet Autism Friendly Town, please email

belmulletautismfriendlytown@gmail.com or call BAFT Committee Representative, Eva Lindsay, on 087 340 4196.

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Pictured above at the launch:

Back, from left: Mary Deane (Erris Youth Disability Network), Eithne Dixon (Erris Youth Disability Network), Amanda Cosgrove (Community Development Programme, Mayo North East), Margaret Corduff (Belmullet Autism Friendly Town), William Nestor (AsIAm Autism Friendly Towns Manager), Fionnuala Meenaghan (Belmullet Autism Friendly Town) and Áine Conway (Belmullet Autism Friendly Town).

Front, from left: Rose Conway-Walsh, TD, Eva Lindsay (Belmullet Autism Friendly Town), and Cllr Seán Carey.