Welcome to the Ballytobin website!

We are a lifesharing community of about 75 people, some with special needs, and volunteers of all ages and nationalities. Ballytobin was established in 1979, in the South East of Ireland, as a therapeutic community for children and adults with multiple disabilities.

The children in Ballytobin attend our integrated small school, which includes students with and without disabilities. Some of our adults work on the farm and in the garden, which provide us with fresh organic vegetables, milk and meat.



We also create our own renewable energy through a biogas plant. Our rich cultural life is based in Castalia Hall, where we celebrate festivals together and host concerts and performances, many of which are open to the public.

Our community has always been open to caring for challenging, disturbed and severely handicapped young people, alongside those who are more amenable and sociable. At present, there are 7 children and 15 young adults and adults resident in Ballytobin.



The teenagers go to school and to training school, whilst the adults work in our organic garden and farm, the bakery and food processing workshop or in the houses.

For both children and adults we offer individual therapies, for example eurythmy, bath, massage, physio and occupational therapy, as well as music and colour-daylight-therapy.

There are 6 houses in Ballytobin. In each of those houses, everyone lives in an extended family, sharing in cooking, cleaning and the household tasks, with everybody contributing what he or she can. A big effort is made to create a warm, secure homelife for all, but especially for those young people who have little or no contact with their own family.
Ballytobin enjoys a close relationship with local people.

A special effort has always been made to get to know our neighbours. As a result, Ballytobin's people are known and welcomed everywhere and there is a lot of mutual help and exchange.