Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
More than 40 families of children with additional needs were given a unique opportunity to enjoy the magic of Christmas with a special visit to a Sensory Friendly Santa’s Grotto. 🎅🎄The two-day event was coordinated by Dr. Ciara Gunning and facilitated by volunteer staff and students from the School of Psychology at University of Galway, who served as Santa's helpers and elves. The team transformed rooms into a winter wonderland to ensure children and their families have a magical visit.
The annual Sensory Friendly Santa's Grotto has been a highlight of the year at University of Galway since 2017 and has grown to a two-day weekend event. The organisers hope to build on that, by setting a goal to create a freely available "How-to Guide” on running similar inclusive and accessible Santa's Grotto events. The aim is that it will encourage other businesses and organisations across Ireland to provide this unique opportunity for more families of children with additional needs to experience the magic of meeting Santa.
Sponsors
Galway Camera Shop | Sheridans Cheesemongers | Prátaí | Dunnes Stores| Cregal Art Ltd. | Aplomb Menswear | Liberty Information Technology | Gourmet Tart CO | White Gables Galway | Supermac's | Galway Bay Hotel | Charlie Byrne's Bookshop | Peter Murphy Electrical | The Art & Hobby Shop|
Esquires | citylinkireland | The Galmont Hotel & Spa | Salthill Hotel | Lidl Ireland | Deanta | Smythstoys | Irish Socksciety | Little Lane Coffee | 56 Central Restaurant | Ground And Co |
Cava - Spanish Restaurant and Tapas Bar | Magpie Bakery
More than 40 families of children with additional needs were given a unique opportunity to enjoy the magic of Christmas with a special visit to a Sensory Friendly Santa’s Grotto. 🎅🎄The two-day event was coordinated by Dr. Ciara Gunning and facilitated by volunteer staff and students from the School of Psychology at University of Galway, who served as Santa's helpers and elves. The team transformed rooms into a winter wonderland to ensure children and their families have a magical visit.
The annual Sensory Friendly Santa's Grotto has been a highlight of the year at University of Galway since 2017 and has grown to a two-day weekend event. The organisers hope to build on that, by setting a goal to create a freely available "How-to Guide” on running similar inclusive and accessible Santa's Grotto events. The aim is that it will encourage other businesses and organisations across Ireland to provide this unique opportunity for more families of children with additional needs to experience the magic of meeting Santa.
Sponsors
Galway Camera Shop | Sheridans Cheesemongers | Prátaí | Dunnes Stores| Cregal Art Ltd. | Aplomb Menswear | Liberty Information Technology | Gourmet Tart CO | White Gables Galway | Supermac's | Galway Bay Hotel | Charlie Byrne's Bookshop | Peter Murphy Electrical | The Art & Hobby Shop|
Esquires | citylinkireland | The Galmont Hotel & Spa | Salthill Hotel | Lidl Ireland | Deanta | Smythstoys | Irish Socksciety | Little Lane Coffee | 56 Central Restaurant | Ground And Co |
Cava - Spanish Restaurant and Tapas Bar | Magpie Bakery
