Show summary Hide summary
Ciara Roberts Jones is preparing the 10th Sparkle for Autism Ball, an annual fundraiser that supports AsIAm and local autism groups. The milestone event, hosted by Gerard Jordan, promises a larger programme and special touches to mark a decade of community fundraising and support.
A personal campaign turned community fixture
In 2018, Ciara left her job in Dublin to care full-time for her teenage son, Gavin, who is autistic. What began as a personal commitment has grown into a major fundraising effort. Over the years she has helped raise significant sums for autism services and support networks.
State spent thousands on influencers to urge women to buy fewer clothes, records show
In pictures: Fans pack cinema for Practical Magic 2 debut in Ireland
Ciara describes the ball as a space where families and carers can reconnect outside their day-to-day responsibilities. She says the night gives parents a rare chance to be partners and individuals again, rather than being in “carer mode” around the clock.
Her approach has been pragmatic. As one colleague told her: “If you don’t ask, you don’t get.” That advice helped turn the original idea into an annual event that now draws commercial sponsors and wide community backing.
What the 10th anniversary will look like
The 10th Sparkle for Autism Ball takes place at Dunboyne Castle on 14 November 2026. Organisers say this edition will expand the evening with a cocktail reception, an after-dinner performance and an enhanced entertainment schedule.
Ahascragh Distillery, described by organisers as Ireland’s only eco-friendly distillery, is sponsoring the reception. After the dinner, the programme will include Riverdance, a live band and a high-value raffle.
Prizes confirmed so far include ten holiday getaways, signed gloves from Katie Taylor—an annual donation—and a sensory-focused contribution from Sensory House. Gerard Jordan will serve as master of ceremonies for the night.
Money raised and community reach
Ciara says she is close to reaching the €500,000 fundraising milestone and is confident this anniversary will push the total further. The event has become a staple in the autism community calendar and has sold out repeatedly in previous years.
Beyond the financial impact, the ball acts as a point of contact. Ciara notes that having familiar faces across Dublin matters for families, especially for children like Gavin who are non-verbal. Knowing someone would recognise him, she says, brings a practical sense of safety alongside the emotional support.
Looking ahead
Ciara hopes the ball will continue long into the future, while also exploring variations such as holding the gala every two years or adding daytime events like a ladies’ lunch. For now, she stresses the value of the single night: parents arrange respite many weeks in advance so they can relax and feel part of a supportive community.
For Ciara, the returns are personal as well as philanthropic. She often says she gains more from the event than anyone else. And for families across Ireland, the annual ball remains a rare, celebratory night out that reinforces community ties and raises vital funds for autism supports.
