Ireland - with a knee walker

Posted by beachsun81 on 10/20/16 12:15 PM

Hi everyone! I'm going to Ireland on Oct 24, and I recently sprained my ankle badly. I have one of those scooter/walker things where you bend your knee and walk push with the other leg. So my walking (hobbling) is limited.

So main question is are there places I should avoid because they would be too difficult to get around with limited walking?

Here are some details:
-flying into and out of Dublin
-will rent car
-Want to see:
-blarney stone
-County Cork
-want to stay at least one night in a castle
-is Belfast worth visiting?

Any other suggestions on what I should see or do?
Thanks!

Posted by Claudia

Land of La

10/20/16 03:49 PM

9221 posts

Newgrange, Glendalough, Rock of Cashel, Cliffs of Mohr, Skelig Michael would be difficult to navigate.

Why just County Cork?

Yes, Belfast is interesting. See the Titanic Museum and take a Black cab Tour of the Troubles. Just remember different country than Ireland so you'll needs Pounds as opposed to Euros.

If you have a car then definitely tour the west coast of Ireland. Slea Head drive. Base in Dingle. Pathways in Killarney National Park can easily be navigated with your walker. Falls colors should be blooming. GORGEOUS.

Posted by Nancy

Corvallis OR

10/20/16 04:18 PM

7158 posts

If nothing has changed since I was there, the Blarney stone will be hard to get to if you have any problem climbing quite a few stairs. You might want to rethink that, unless it's very important to you. Personally I thought it was a waste of time, but then I'm not Irish and can't relate to the folklore.

Posted by beachsun81 OP

10/20/16 05:39 PM

6 posts

Thanks everyone!

I only listed Cork because my grandfather was born there. Need to do research for other places. Your suggestions are so helpful!

Posted by Nancy

Corvallis OR

10/20/16 06:24 PM

7158 posts

Where in County Cork was your grandfather from? It's a very large county. The harbor town of Kinsale is a wonderful place to stay in that area. It's less than an hour's drive from the city of Cork and is much smaller and more scenic.

This is one resource to use regarding castle hotels in Ireland: http://www.celticcastles.com/castle-search/list/ireland/. It'll give you an idea of the various locations in Ireland and the rates.

Belfast is definitely worth seeing and I second the recommendation to take a black cab tour of the 'troubles' sites. The Titanic museum wasn't opened yet when we were there but we did see the shipyard where she was built.

If you're interested in the history of the Irish emigration to US and of the Titanic tragedy, then also go to Cobh when you're in County Cork, the Cobh Heritage Center is another excellent museum.

Posted by Nancy

Bloomington, IL, USA

10/20/16 09:06 PM

9371 posts

Sorry, but no way on Earth could you get your scooter thing up all of those stairs and the tight turns of the little turret you climb up through to get to the Blarney stone. You could certainly see the grounds, but climb up there? No.

Posted by John

Pantego, NC, USA

10/27/16 12:35 AM

1014 posts

I would look into renting an electric scooter to use in Ireland. Much better transportation than the walker. Blarney Stone is up small, winding steps. I fell coming down and caught myself on the rope banister. It is probably 3 stories up. So, with a bum ankle, do not try it. Look here for a start: https://www.google.com/search?q=electric+scooter+rental+ireland&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8#q=electric%20scooter%20rental%20ireland&tbs=lf:1,lf_ui:2,lf_pqs:EAE&rflfq=1&rlha=0&rllag=53312032,-6437419,16088&tbm=lcl&rldimm=4672710958813373025