Access for all: Irish wheelchair users speak on their favourite Irish getaways
Clockwise from top left: Niamh Ní Hóireabeard; The Struggle is Wheel; Emma Ward; Sarah Harrington; Lorraine O'Brien
“Any airline that uses a passenger boarding bridge from the boarding gate to the plane, and doesn’t make wheelchair users board the plane last is good in my books!”
“I’ve heard some great things about Randles Hotel Killarney in Co Kerry, where there is a fully accessible suite with a ceiling track hoist to help get wheelchair-users out of their chairs and into bed or onto the toilet. This is really uncommon in hotels, and it’s great to see the critical need of accessible hotel rooms finally being met.”
“It sounds like a cop-out, but Dublin. In the past few years, I think a lot of effort has gone into making our capital more accessible. There are more public accessible bathrooms, more smooth pedestrianised streets, accessible public transport, and accessible attractions dotted around the city.”
“Lullymore Heritage and Discovery Park has recently installed a boardwalk, which allows wheelchair-users access to walk around the bog. As a born and bred Kildare resident, I loved being able to learn about my county’s history in a way that had previously not been possible for me.”
“The OCS staff in Dublin Airport. They are always helpful and chatty and provide great service even though they’re overwhelmed with demand these days, and I just hope they know their work is very appreciated.”
“I could easily move around the city with my wheelchair in Amsterdam… Everywhere should take a leaf out of their book.”
“I have found that British Airways, Aer Lingus, and surprisingly, Ryanair, have been really good to fly with. They have very friendly and accommodating staff, their assistance is normally prompt and competent. One thing I would like to emphasise is [that] a wheelchair is an extension of somebody and often acts as their legs and should be treated with
respect and not be mishandled when being put in the luggage hold of the plane.”
“We have taken the ferry from Rosslare to Pembroke a few times. The aisles were nice and wide, and the bathrooms were big and well-equipped. There was also a lift from the parking deck to all the floors on the ferry.”
“I recently had a brilliant experience in Mizen Head. The Mizen Head walk has been renovated, and every aspect of it has been made accessible. Also, Barleycove beach was impressively accessible, with a boardwalk running halfway down the beach.”
“I recently did the tour of the Titanic [Experience] museum in Cobh and found it relatively accessible. The staff were very accommodating and helped where necessary.”
“Market Lane is my favourite restaurant. The staff always go above and beyond… The manager escorted us with an umbrella to the door of The Imperial Hotel.”
“My top three most accessible places abroad are Canada, Florida and Japan. Out of the three, I would say Canada was the most accessible.”
“To date, Rosslare to Bilbao with Brittany Ferries. From the moment you arrive at the port to your cabin, the crew are acutely aware of specific accessibility needs for families like ours. This includes priority boarding stickers for [the] queue, support with getting sufficient exit/entry space from our car, and easy access to our accessible cabin.”
“This is a hard one to pick because no hotel is truly accessible for wheelchair users in Ireland, but Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim, Co Meath, is one of the very few hotels in Ireland that has disability access into their leisure pool via a hydraulic chair. For us, a truly wheelchair accessible hotel must have inclusive pool access.”
“For us, Donegal is one of Ireland’s most accessible counties, from the stunning raw beauty of Glenveagh National Park to the Donegal Boardwalk Resort. The renowned animal sanctuary Wild Ireland is a popular accessible spot, and you can also book aadapted surfing lessons with Liquid Therapy in Rossnowlagh or visit Portnoo Beach to avail of two choices of beach chairs.”
“We’ve picked Beyond the Trees at Avondale, Co. Wicklow. Ireland’s only treetop walk is wheelchair accessible… You can wheel high up along the tree canopies of conifers while taking in the surrounding views of Wicklow.”
“At the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, a member of staff showed us to our box without us asking, and before we even suggested it, she removed the extra furniture, so we’d have more turning space. Her initiative and accessibility awareness really impressed us.”
“We were really impressed with Bilbao in Northern Spain… clean boulevards, seamless access to museums, river walks and parks all within wheelable distance. Cafe Iruna blends traditional design with wheelchair accessibility so well.”
“Without hesitation, Aer Lingus. Since acquiring my spinal cord injury 11 years ago, I’ve taken a number of flights. On my return from a bucket-list trip to New York last year, I became very unwell mid-flight. A lovely crew member, Daithí, arranged for paramedics to meet me off the plane. His quick action and genuine compassion reassured me completely.”
“My local, Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim. Their accessible bedrooms were very generous in size, and the bathrooms were large wet rooms. They also have a warm water swimming pool with a pool hoist — these are like gold dust in Ireland.”
“I think that Liffey Valley shopping centre is a very accessible Irish destination. It has shopping, cinema, restaurants, parking, and it’s a nice day out… even if I’m not buying anything.”
“The 3Arena and the Point Village are the most accessible attractions. It’s great having indoor covered parking, being able to meet friends for a meal at Ruby’s, and then go on to the 3Arena.”
“The OCS assistance staff at Dublin Airport. They are always so helpful, professional, and pleasant to deal with and will have the craic with me and my travel companions. They always try to put me at ease, which helps my anxiety levels.”
“ London. I was delighted to discover that all of the black cabs had built-in ramps. Unheard of in Ireland. From venues, restaurants, shops… everyone was so helpful. In America, because of ADA laws, places like Orlando, New York, and Las Vegas were also very accessible.”
“The Maldron Hotel in Dublin – I would rate it 8.5/10. Despite having two double beds, I was able to move around easily, the hallways were easy to go through, and the lift was big. The only downfall it had was the lack of spaces for wheelchair users in the restaurant area.”
“Knock would be the most accessible Irish attraction I have visited; I have been going to Knock for many years now, and the ease of getting around places really does impact where I go on trips. I don’t need to think about it when we go there. I would rate Knock an 8/10 for accessibility; as a wheelchair user, it is easy for me to get around the shops and to get into the churches.”
“The first two answers that come to my head for this would be: The Irish Rail staff in Athenry are incredibly kind people, especially Anthony — anytime I need to get a train, whether it’s to Dublin or just a trip into Galway, they are always ready and willing to assist me. Secondly, the nursing staff in the metabolic clinic in the Mater Hospital, especially Kevin, who is always the first nurse to come and greet me with a smile and genuine interest in how I’ve been since my previous appointment.”
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