Installation of wheelchair-friendly beach mats bring joy in Mayo

RTÉ News​

13-05-2025

Wheelchair users in Co Mayo have been enjoying the sunshine on a blue flag beach in Iorras, thanks to recently installed accessible mobility mats.
Mayo County Council resolved an issue of public liability insurance, paving the way for other local authorities to follow suit.
After intense lobbying over the past year, the local access group of the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) in Béal an Mhuirthead found a way through the red tape and onto a blue flag beach Trá Oiligh, in the Gaeltacht area of Iorras.
A campaign is now under way to make all blue flag beaches accessible where physically possible.
There was much joy and elation amongst wheelchair users as they looked out over the Atlantic coastline of Iorras and joined in beach activities with IWA staff.
Teresa Gaughan, who was born with spina bifida and uses a wheelchair, said that while the beach buggies are great for younger people, she cannot use one as she requires a hoist to get in and out of the buggies and this is not available at either beach.
"The beach mats are ideal, they will allow me to get onto the beach with my own chair and enjoy beach time with my family and friends," she said.
"This is a pinch me moment because I really can't believe I'm on a beach. I never thought this would happen and we so deserve it.
"We're all part of society, whether we're in a wheelchair or we're able-bodied, these blue flag beaches should be accessible to everybody.
"I really hope we've started something and people throughout the country will get lobbying and knocking on doors. I know I've annoyed a few people along the way, but you have to push for your rights," she said.
She had a message to all local authorities around the country.
"Please listen to your constituents. Listen to the people in your area. Be proactive in keeping their best interests at heart".
The delay in deploying the mats centred around public liability insurance, as Mayo County Council did not own the mats and there was no cover until the matter was resolved recently.
National Access Programme Manager with the IWA Rosaleen Lally said that moving forward took a lot of persuasion.
"It took a lot of hard work by our local access group, our members themselves, lobbying for this. Thankfully Mayo County Council have really been very proactive over the last few months, and have come on board with us and taken ownership of these mats, and now they are fully insured.
"We're delighted that they're out on the beach here, and it's fully accessible at last".
Ms Lally described the beach as the jewel in the crown of Béal an Mhuirthead.
"We have disabled parking, there's accessible toiles here, and we're very close to the beach.
"This is a great example of how things can be improved if we can all work together.
"We're calling on local authorities to reach out to the IWA and to people with disabilities in their area and work with them. It is their right to access blue flag beaches under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
"It's really important that people with disabilities can get onto the beach. Unfortunately, a high number of people with disabilities suffer from mental health issues.
"Being able to come out on the beach, and just smell the fresh air and savour the view is important".
Head of Westport Belmullet Municipal District Séamus Ó Mongáin said that the Council was very pleased to have been able to work with the IWA ensuring safe access to the beach.
"By taking the mats into our ownership, we were able to insure the facility thus providing this all-inclusive and fully accessible amenity for all the community. This is an initiative we consider in suitable locations where the ocean dynamics allow as wave and sea action may not make it suitable at all locations".
Noel Cawley said he was "gob smacked" to be on the beach in his chair for the first time in 30 years.
"I'm just amazed and delighted to be here. I live in Blacksod which is fantastic, but the blue mats aren't in place there.
"I can tell you from the bottom of my heart that this is an amazing day for me and life is good. I have nothing but praise and admiration for the local access group in Belmullet.
"The IWA has done so much for us, and our quality of life is better because of them..
Mary Walsh, whose 14-year-old daughter Grace Walsh uses a wheelchair said it was a lovely day to be on the beach.
Grace is non-verbal but her mother explained how she gets excited when outdoors.
"Grace is a wheelchair user and it was heartbreaking to see rows and rows of these mats lying in a shed at the IWA all year when we could be down there by the seaside instead of looking on from the car park and feeling excluded," she said.
"Grace has a right to access the strand as any other child does, just as I did every summer growing up here.
"It is absolutely amazing to have these beach mats here now. To be able to take Grace to the beach and not have to worry or have to plan way in advance, just get in the car and bring her down. It's absolutely amazing.
"I used to be heartbroken not being able to get access to the beach for her but now it's the most wonderful feeling to see her getting the full seaside experience".
The IWA has started a new campaign called Rolling Waves, which aims to make all blue flag beaches accessible where possible.
"The Blue Flag Initiative is a European award, and a beach must be accessible to get a blue flag. But unfortunately, in Ireland, the standard is much lower.
"We're calling for that to change, and we're working with An Taisce to upgrade the criteria for accessibility on beaches.
"We're very optimistic that things are improving".