This is the first of a series of interviews featuring adults with Down syndrome who are employed in a range of Irish companies.

Having a job contributes immensely to a person's sense of well-being and self-esteem. Acknowledged. 

And the same goes for a person with Down syndrome. Having a place in society and a meaningful working role is an end goal for many person with Down syndrome  and it also allows their family to witness their loved one taking their place in the community, benefiting from a greatly increased social circle and becoming a confident and fulfilled individual.

The colleagues they work with have the opportunity to integrate with a person with intellectual disability, helping to establish positive relations and perceptions of what it is to work alongside a person with Down syndrome.

Many companies are providing opportunities for young people to escape the monotony of having little to do by training them in a set of skills that allow them to play a part to the company's businesses success. And ... not all these are supermarkets.

Many well known Irish companies have had the courage to give it a try and the following video series highlights staff views and the thoughts of the people they employ who have Down syndrome.

The first of these features Niall McEnroe, who works in Avoca Handweavers, a leading Irish retail store and cafe in Kilmacanogue, Co Wicklow.  Niall lives independently in nearby Greystones and takes two buses to get to Avoca where he works three days a week from 11.am to 3.00pm.

His manager, Mary Doyle, recounts how Niall is very conscientious and will always call her if he if the bus is delayed or if there are any other problems. He has worked in the company for the past 5/6 years and is now an established Avoca team member.

"Niall works in the Sugar Tree Cafe here in Avoca. It is an extremely busy Cafe which means the role Niall plays can be quite pressured. However, this causes no problems for Niall. He just keeps his head down and gets on with the job", says Mary.

When asked what advice she would give to other employers considering taking on someone with Down syndrome, Mary commented, "Having Niall on the team encourages us all to be more considerate of one another. He has a great work ethic and it has been a pleasure to see him grow and develop within his role over the past few years".