Muzicad Project Conference in Tipperary, Ireland – July 2025
The most recent meeting of the European Erasmus+ Project Muzicad (Music & Autism) took place in Ireland in the market town of Nenagh, from July 1st to 4th, 2025. The central theme of the conference was the exploration of emotional connections through music, with a particular focus on the potential benefits for individuals with autism.
The event welcomed representatives from each of the project’s partner countries—Ireland, Turkey, Germany, and Croatia—alongside invited guests from Italy.
The conference opened with a warm welcome from James Mulroy, Director of European Projects at Judo Assist Ireland, the hosting organisation. This was followed by an insightful project update delivered by Hilan Ilhan, the project coordinator from Turkey.
The morning session featured an engaging, interactive workshop on emotional expression through music. The hosts introduced four creative activity ideas, which were met with great enthusiasm and active participation from all attendees.
In the afternoon, each partner team was tasked with developing their own activity ideas to present the following day.
Day Two began with the presentation and participation in the newly developed activities from each group. This dynamic exchange of ideas provided a significant boost to the project’s aims and fostered deeper collaboration between the teams.
Following this, our invited guests from Judo Assist Italy delivered a fascinating presentation on the theoretical foundations of the Gordon Music Learning Theory, adding valuable academic insight to the discussions.
The afternoon session included an update on the project’s Games Handbook, as well as a planning discussion for the final project mobility, scheduled to take place in Croatia this coming September.
The day concluded with a Cultural Music Workshop led by Michelle Hennessy Music, focusing on traditional Irish instruments, including the tin whistle and bodhrán. The session was an incredible cultural experience, culminating in the formation of the Muzicad Polka Band, which performed a spirited rendition of The Rattlin’ Bog.
We were also honoured by a visit from the newly elected Mayor of Tipperary, Mr. John Carroll, who offered his support and encouragement to the project. Day Three was dedicated to full cultural immersion, featuring a scenic day trip to the Cliffs of Moher, The Burren, and Bunratty Castle. The breathtaking landscapes, traditional music, and delicious Irish cuisine offered a fitting and memorable close to a successful and inspiring conference.