Celebrating Inclusion: Happy Out Café Opens its Doors at the Dún Laoghaire Baths

Today, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and Happy Out officially launched the new café at the Dún Laoghaire Baths. The vision for the café is to create an atmosphere of fun, empathy, and inclusion, where locals and visitors can enjoy delicious food, superb coffee, and receive wonderful service from a team of dedicated young adults with Down syndrome. 

At the official launch, Councillor Denis O’Callaghan, Cathaoirleach, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council said:

“By partnering together, we can see the benefits for the staff and the local community of this new innovative café at Dún Laoghaire Baths. This new cafe is a social enterprise that offers something really unique, helping to dispel prejudices & concerns that people may have about people with disabilities.”

Happy Out and Together Academy were chosen to operate this unique new café at the Dún Laoghaire Baths, following a public tender process earlier this year. 

Frank Curran, Chief Executive, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council said:

“The Happy Out Cafe promises to be a vibrant addition to Dún Laoghaire. Not only will it delight customers with its menu and exceptional service, but it will also be a driving force behind promoting inclusivity and breaking down barriers. Visitors can expect a warm and welcoming environment where everyone can come together to have a swim, followed by coffee or lunch.”

The Together Academy was set up by parents of children with Down syndrome and is a unique social enterprise in Dublin, supported by the Down syndrome centre, that provides young adults with Down syndrome certified training, practical work experience, employment opportunities and a critical social and support network.

Brian Hanratty, Happy Out, Together Academy said:

“Happy Out are delighted to open our new cafe in partnership with Together Academy. This has been something we have been working on for a very long time and we have put everything into this to make it a spectacular cafe, fitting the already spectacular building. We are very grateful to Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council for bravely awarding us the opportunity to give this cafe model a chance. Not only is it going to be the warmest and most wholesome café but we will also be bringing the best coffee, toasties, breakfasts as well as a beautiful wine and nibbles menu to this amazing location!”

The café will open from 7am to 6pm Sunday to Monday and 7am to 9pm Thursday to Saturday. You can read full menu here.

There are bathrooms on-site including a changing places bathroom.