Ireland has long been a popular vacation destination for US travelers. And although the Americans with Disabilities Act doesn’t extend across the Big Pond; that doesn’t mean the island is lacking in accessibility. Quite the contrary; in fact, Ireland is a very attractive and doable option for slow walkers and wheelchair-users.

Access Improvements Abound
According to Undiscovered Britain & Ireland owner, Ann Litt, Ireland has made great strides in accessibility, especially in the past several years. “When I first traveled to Ireland in the late 1990s there were only two rooms with roll-in showers in all of Dublin,” Ann explains. “Since then, dozens of new hotels have opened in Dublin alone, and every new property has at least two (and often more) accessible rooms with roll in showers,” she adds.

And if you’d like to stay in a castle, that’s certainly an option too. Ann recommends  Dromoland Castle, near Shannon Airport, which has a very nice accessible room. 

Accessible transportation is also improving in Ireland. In fact, the first thing I saw when I emerged from the airport in Belfast last year was an accessible taxi. That wasn’t an isolated incident, as Ann points out. “If you need an accessible taxi at Dublin or Shannon airport you won’t have a problem either,” she reports. And if you want a private tour in an accessible taxi in Dublin, Ann recommends calling Sean (+353 86-860-9089) or Robert (+353 87-624-3915) to book one.

Accessible Dublin and Beyond
Although you could easily spend your whole holiday in Dublin, Ann advises first-time visitors to branch out and also spend several nights in Galway, followed by several more in Limmerick or Killarney, before flying home from Shannon.

Unfortunately wheelchair-accessible rental vans are not the norm in Ireland, so you’ll have to travel by train, regular rental car or accessible taxi. Ambassador Chauffeurs can provide customized private tours in a ramp-equipped Volkswagen People Carrier; while both Galway and Limerick can be easily accessed by train from Dublin.

Another option is to join an accessible group tour, such as the ones that Ann puts together. Her guided tours include wheelchair-accessible transportation, lodging, admission to sights and many meals. “They are a good option for people who want access, but don’t want to worry about any details,” says Ann.

Accessible Ireland Resources
If you’d prefer an independent trip, there are lots of resources available to help you.

• Access Ireland and Accessible Ireland contain access information about lodging, attractions and transportation throughout Ireland.

• Information about accessible castles in Ireland.

• Dublin Taxi Tours offers wheelchair-accessible city and country tours.

• Value Cabs of Belfast offers wheelchair-accessible tours, airport transfers or city transportation.

Last, but not least, check out Ann Litt’s Undiscovered Britain & Ireland website for lots of pictures from her past tours. Not only will it put you in the mood for your trip, but it will also show you what to expect access-wise on the Emerald Isle.

Candy Harrington is the editor of Emerging Horizons and the author of 101 Accessible Vacations; Travel Ideas for Wheelers and Slow Walkers. She blogs regularly about travel discounts deals and freebies, for slow walkers and wheelchair-users at www.BFTonthecheap.com.

See Related Articles
Need help planning your next accessible getaway? See Travel Agents Specializing in Adaptive Travel for more information.

Learn how you can travel and save money on lodging, in Home Exchange: Economical, Accessible Lodging Option.