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Ireland for a person with difficulties walking

Posted by (Odessa, NY, USA) on

My boss has MS and walks poorly with a cane. He has not progressed to a wheelchair but occassionally uses a scooter to get around outside of the office. He would LOVE to go to Ireland but has heard that it is notoriously bad for those with disabilities. I seem to keep finding the same sad answers online also. Does anyone know of a resource (whether online or in print) with specific information and/or tips about traveling to and in Ireland for those with disabilities? Any information will be greatly appreciated! His illness is definitely getting him down and Ireland would be the trip of a lifetime for him ... if I can only convince him to take it!

Thank you!

Posted by
525 posts

I don't have an answer but, First I'd say go to Ireland no matter what. If you can travel with a companion - great. Go while you still have some mobility. Take your time and enjoy what you can.
You could possibly rent a wheelchair for going around Ireland (Dublin) and, there is also lots to see from a car.

See if you can find the websites for the Visitor's Center's in each town you want to visit. Google different combinations of words, Traveling Ireland w/walking difficulties, etc. When my husband and I traveled to England, Italy and France we didn't really see anyone with some sort of disability but then we weren't looking. Let us know what you find out for those that have the same question about travel with some walking difficulty. I think there are some responses regarding this and the Cinque Terre.
Now start planning and pack those bags and GO!!!

Posted by
1806 posts

I would suggest he base himself out of cities like Dublin, Cork or Galway and take day tours of the surrounding countryside by hiring a private driver. He will find the cities are just generally set up better for people who are disabled...hotels with elevators, sidewalk cuts for scooters or wheelchairs, lots of taxis that can take him around town when he's too tired to walk.

With a day tour group, he'd have to keep up with their schedule. A private driver will enable him to see things at his own pace, and will likely know the best places to pull over to get him closest to the sights without too much walking.

Yes, out in the country it will be hard to see a lot of the sights that might involve climbing narrow stairs or walking along rocky paths - but he can certainly enjoy the scenery, see some castles and ruins and have a good time in the pubs at night.

Posted by
1014 posts

In my humble opinion it is always better to say remeber when we were . . . than I wish I had gone to . . . when I could.

Go, you will never regret it.

Posted by
525 posts

I just saw a Rick Steves' book in a Powell's bookstore in Oregon, titled, Easy Access Europe....for those with ??? It was a couple years old...Check out his website or call the office to see if you can find one.
Now, if you'd like to pay our airfare to go to Ireland, my husband and I would be glad to take you around...
This is the page on RS website you can read an article. The book is also listed if you do a search - dated 2006 with some information too.
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/easyaccess.htm

I hope the boss will decide to go. Again take your time and enjoy what you can.

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