“A space where families can just be”: Sensory Sundays at Mayo aquarium connecting Mayo people

Every Sunday morning, long before the usual crowds arrive, Achill Experience Aquarium quietly transforms into something more than a tourist attraction. From 10.45–11.30am, the tanks, tunnels, and sensory spaces of Ireland’s only aquarium are opened free of charge to families with children who have additional needs.

“We don’t run the usual guided tour,” explains one of the aquarium’s team. “Families are welcome to wander, explore the tanks, and use the sensory pod with its soothing lights and music. It’s all about giving them a space where they can just be.”

The idea was inspired by what staff had been observing since the aquarium opened in 2016. Many schools and families with children who have additional needs were already visiting, and the team noticed how some children were instantly calmed by the sight of fish and sea life.

“Some kids might only last 15 seconds before feeling overwhelmed, while others were completely engaged and relaxed,” the guide recalls. “We realised there was something truly therapeutic about sea life. One day I spent half an hour talking to a little girl about sharks. Later, her mother told me she doesn’t usually talk to strangers. Moments like that showed us how valuable this could be.”

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The programme first ran earlier this year before pausing for the busy summer season. It was reintroduced on September 7 and will continue until November.

What makes Sensory Sundays unique is not just the access to the aquarium, but the sense of connection it creates. On the very first day, two families who had never met and lived at opposite sides of Mayo found comfort in sharing their experiences.

“It’s about community as much as anything else. Families get to meet others in similar situations, swap stories, and even find support networks they didn’t know existed.”

Tickets are free and can be booked through the aquarium’s website. Families simply select the Sensory Sunday slot (10.45–11.30am) and enter the code *sensorysunday* at checkout. The booking system ensures space is limited to maintain the quiet atmosphere.

Achill Experience hopes to continue building on the success of Sensory Sundays. For now, families across Mayo and beyond are embracing the chance to enjoy sea life in a way that feels accessible, welcoming, and stress-free.