From 14–17 January, eight groups from Meath-based special schools experienced Lullaby Leaf, Ceol Connected’s captivating sensory theatre production. Designed by Thomas Johnston, Joanna Williams and Orla Kelly, the show invites children to imagine spending a day on a giant leaf surrounded by gentle music, soft light, movement, scent and touch. Each performance created a calm, playful and deeply responsive environment, where children were free to explore at their own pace. Teachers and carers noted the joy and connection the experience inspired, with one attendee reflecting: “I was amazed to see how each child reacted differently and how one boy… started to engage with the performers and his friends. It was wonderful.”

The January performances formed the Meath strand of a cross-county Creative Ireland collaboration involving Meath County Council, Cavan County Council and Monaghan County Council, alongside Music Generation Cavan/Monaghan. This multi-year investment supports both exceptional arts experiences for children with complex needs and professional development for those working in the field.

That commitment culminated in the Lullaby Leaf Sensory Symposium, held on 21 October at the Garage Theatre, Monaghan. Tailored for artists, educators and practitioners, the full-day event offered rare insight into sensory arts practice. Thirty participants observed the live show with its intended audience, took part in hands-on workshops, explored sensory materials and discussed approaches to inclusive, responsive arts facilitation. Many described the day as transformative: “It was a really delightful and joyous day… modelling inclusivity and sensory sensitivity from inside to out. I felt refreshed and inspired.”

The symposium focused on building skills, confidence and community within this emerging field. Attendees spoke of the value of meeting like-minded practitioners, sharing methods and understanding how small, thoughtful sensory interactions can support meaningful engagement for children with complex needs. Workshops encouraged playful exploration and adaptability: “You really have to gauge how your partner feels and adapt accordingly.” Others highlighted the clarity of the facilitation and the practical takeaways: “A great session… it really helped scaffold our understanding of how Lullaby Leaf was made and what multisensory work could feel like.”

Across both the performances in Meath and the symposium in Monaghan, the project demonstrated the significant impact of accessible, high-quality sensory theatre. For children, it offered moments of connection, delight and discovery; for practitioners, it delivered skills, confidence and a growing supportive network. As one participant summarised: “Absolutely outstanding… The ‘ripple’ effect of such days is so important.”

Lullaby Leaf continues to grow a vibrant, caring community dedicated to creating meaningful arts experiences for every child no matter their needs, pace or way of engaging with the world.