A disability-friendly guide for touring the island
Ireland delights in welcoming those with special needs and reduced mobility, and services and amenities are always improving. Castles and towers may have an accessible first floor yet are less likely to have elevators. Heritage Ireland provides accessibility information for many of Ireland’s historic sites.
In Northern Ireland, the National Trust supplies access information about parking, toilets, and the grounds for popular sites. Many of these offer guided tours that bring history and visual aspects to life in incredible detail.
Dublin, a city rich in history and culture, has many fully accessible attractions for visitors with disabilities. The magnificent 800-year-old St Patrick’s Cathedral is easy to navigate thanks to ramps and an electric elevator at the entrance. Guided tours are free, and audio guides are available.
The National Gallery of Ireland is also fully accessible, and visitors can book a free guided tour or attend a pre-scheduled Irish sign language group tour.
The Guinness Storehouse is Ireland’s number one visitor attraction and excels when it comes to inclusivity. Accessible elevators and ramps, sensory friendly hours, dynamic guided tours, and text, audio and international sign language guide devices are all available on-site.
Belfast is the birthplace of the Titanic, and Titanic Belfast is a must-visit attraction for anyone interested in the history of this iconic ship. The space is completely accessible to wheelchair users and offers a multi-sensory experience, with audioguides and sign language visual guides. Guide dogs are welcome.
Most of the Ulster Museum galleries are wheelchair-friendly and offer a sound enhancement system and video description at certain locations. Disabled parking spaces are available.
The Giant’s Causeway in County Antrim, another popular attraction, is now partially accessible to people with disabilities, with accessible parking, ramps, and paths that allow you to explore the world-famous rock formations.
County Clare’s stunning Cliffs of Moher have accessible parking spaces and a ramp up to the cliffs to take in the breathtaking views. The scenic drive around the Ring of Kerry is also enjoyable, with accessible stops along the way. Other attractions include Muckross House and Gardens, a 19th-century mansion, which has wheelchair-friendly gardens.
The Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary and the incredible Neolithic site of Newgrange in County Meath can be accessed with prior arrangement.
Disabled Holidays is a great resource with a list of accommodations offering disabled facilities. Disabled Friendly Hotels has a great database of hotels that accommodate special needs. Each hotel partner must provide details on its accessibility and services, and the site includes reviews confirming the validity of this information.
Remember: Ireland isn’t known as the land of 100,000 welcomes for nothing! Locals are known for their friendly, helpful nature and will be very happy to assist however they can.
