A blue light will be shone on landmark buildings around Galway city next Monday to mark World Autism Awareness Day.

The initiative is part of a United Nations global plan to highlight awareness of Autism, that will illuminate towns and cities around the world in blue on April 2nd.

The Minister for Health Dr James Reilly will attend the formal blue-lighting ceremony at Hotel Meyrick in Eyre Square next Monday evening.

Other local businesses already signed up for the initiative include the Skeffington Arms Hotel, the Imperial Hotel, the Atlantiquarium, and Inkfingers tattoo parlour.

Blue lighting is being put in place by Ballybrit company Blacklight.

Newly formed charity Galway Autism Partnership has organised Monday's event and is calling on local businesses to play their part by lighting Galway up in blue.