Hello to any one in the know.
I have always fancied visiting ireland, anyone any experiences? Good access etc?
OR
on a compelely different country, anyone been to ibiza, tenerife or magaluf on a clubbing holiday?!
Emma =)
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Holidaying In Ireland.
Started by
Doodle
, Mar 15 2009 10:47 PM
3 replies to this topic
Top#2
Travelling Blackbird
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Posted 15 March 2009 - 11:11 PM
Emma, I wish I could say good things about Ireland in terms of access, because I am Irish born and raised, but I can't say much. My experiences were bad, and I rarely go home anymore, because I honestly felt like I couldn't get around or be myself there. I have heard that they've been trying to make improvements in the past year, but I don't know what they've managed to do. When I was last in Dublin, I couldn't get around on my own, and I'm pretty mobile.
The two towns I was in last time were Dublin and Wexford. This was two years ago, so there may have been improvements.
Dublin: There were very few bus lines that had wheelchair access. The light rail was accessible, but it doesn't cover the whole city. The curbs were high, and although there were curb cuts, they were not on every crossing. The Temple Bar area was particularly bad for that, and for cobblestones, and for steps up into shops. There were a couple of times when I had to turn back to look for a different way because the narrow footpath was blocked by a municipal littler bin cemented down and taking up over half the space. Trinity College and the National Museum both had access issues. Two major chain stores had no elevator for the general public, only a service elevator that in one case smelled like a public toilet. The only accessible public toilets were in parking garages, McDonalds and a department store. I didn't find an accessible ATM in three banks I went to, and the General Post Office had only one accessible entrance, at the side.
And the people were ignorant. I was ashamed of my own folk. There was a shop keep who wouldn't help me over his doorstep, nor bring me stock to look at, even when I asked for one specific book that I could see from the doorway. He flat out refused. In one bar, I was asked if I should even be drinking. In a restaurant my Mam and I went into, they didn't even want to move a bench to accommodate us. I did not have one single good experience with people's attitudes in Dublin, which is part of why I find it very, very difficult to believe that Dublin wants to become Europe's first 100% accessible city.
Wexford: The curb cuts looked like they'd been done with a shovel: rough, steep, and awkwardly angled. The footpaths are narrow and there aren't footpaths on every street. The shops mostly have high doorsteps, and there is no public transport. There were no accessible ATMs at the two banks I visited, but there was one in the supermarket. There were disabled access toilets in most of the supermarkets and department stores, and well-located disabled parking spaces.
The people were more open and helpful here. I didn't feel like I was in the way, and a couple of people helped my Mam get the wheelchair into the boot of the car. We were well looked after in the cafe we ate at, and in the bar we went to: just the right amount of questions about what we might need, and no problems with moving a table or bench. I did get a lot of stares, and one woman came up and told me I should stay at home rather than go around scaring kids, but that was exceptional.
I haven't been to Galway or Cork in seven or eight years, and I don't want to do them a disservice, but they had a lot of work ahead of them then.
Ireland is not a wheelchair-friendly country, in my opinion, and the only way to have a successful holiday there as a wheelchair user there would be with a good car, and a very well-planned route with lots of expensive chain hotels, and with a very strong heart.
The two towns I was in last time were Dublin and Wexford. This was two years ago, so there may have been improvements.
Dublin: There were very few bus lines that had wheelchair access. The light rail was accessible, but it doesn't cover the whole city. The curbs were high, and although there were curb cuts, they were not on every crossing. The Temple Bar area was particularly bad for that, and for cobblestones, and for steps up into shops. There were a couple of times when I had to turn back to look for a different way because the narrow footpath was blocked by a municipal littler bin cemented down and taking up over half the space. Trinity College and the National Museum both had access issues. Two major chain stores had no elevator for the general public, only a service elevator that in one case smelled like a public toilet. The only accessible public toilets were in parking garages, McDonalds and a department store. I didn't find an accessible ATM in three banks I went to, and the General Post Office had only one accessible entrance, at the side.
And the people were ignorant. I was ashamed of my own folk. There was a shop keep who wouldn't help me over his doorstep, nor bring me stock to look at, even when I asked for one specific book that I could see from the doorway. He flat out refused. In one bar, I was asked if I should even be drinking. In a restaurant my Mam and I went into, they didn't even want to move a bench to accommodate us. I did not have one single good experience with people's attitudes in Dublin, which is part of why I find it very, very difficult to believe that Dublin wants to become Europe's first 100% accessible city.
Wexford: The curb cuts looked like they'd been done with a shovel: rough, steep, and awkwardly angled. The footpaths are narrow and there aren't footpaths on every street. The shops mostly have high doorsteps, and there is no public transport. There were no accessible ATMs at the two banks I visited, but there was one in the supermarket. There were disabled access toilets in most of the supermarkets and department stores, and well-located disabled parking spaces.
The people were more open and helpful here. I didn't feel like I was in the way, and a couple of people helped my Mam get the wheelchair into the boot of the car. We were well looked after in the cafe we ate at, and in the bar we went to: just the right amount of questions about what we might need, and no problems with moving a table or bench. I did get a lot of stares, and one woman came up and told me I should stay at home rather than go around scaring kids, but that was exceptional.
I haven't been to Galway or Cork in seven or eight years, and I don't want to do them a disservice, but they had a lot of work ahead of them then.
Ireland is not a wheelchair-friendly country, in my opinion, and the only way to have a successful holiday there as a wheelchair user there would be with a good car, and a very well-planned route with lots of expensive chain hotels, and with a very strong heart.
#3
Doodle
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Posted 16 March 2009 - 05:00 PM
Hey thanks for replying! hmmmm....So ireland doesnt sound like the best place for my first holiday in a wheelchair. Although I might as you say get a planned route etc. Doesnt sound like a very friendly place though from your experience. I think a holiday in the sun would be a better idea atleast of all a tan might come out of it.
Emma
Emma
Everything will be alright in the end, if it's not alright then it's not the end!
#4
Travelling Blackbird
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Posted 16 March 2009 - 05:47 PM
Emma, as I said, I haven't been home in a little while, and they may have improved things, but as I remember it, and as I experienced it, I could not recommend it as a first holiday destination for a wheelchair user.
Some places in the world make better first trips than others. Go for a well-researched place, a good trip to a sunny climb, get your "travelling wheels", and tackle Ireland when you're more sure of yourself, and when the Irish have had more time to make a difference to their country and their mentality.
Some places in the world make better first trips than others. Go for a well-researched place, a good trip to a sunny climb, get your "travelling wheels", and tackle Ireland when you're more sure of yourself, and when the Irish have had more time to make a difference to their country and their mentality.
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