Sligo County Council, supported by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth are delighted to announce the official opening of the Mullaghmore Beach Access For All.
The works comprised of car park resurfacing which facilitated the addition of 4 new disabled car parking spaces. Upgrading works to the 125m path leading from the newly surfaced carpark to the entrance of the beach was undertaken, providing accessibility for all users. Two new beach wheelchairs have also been purchased and can been booked by contacting Sligo County Council on 071 911 1111 or email to [email protected].
To further enhance the Access For All facilities, Swim Ireland have kindly donated 100m of beach matting to allow wheelchair users the enjoyment of the amenities.
Present at the opening, Leas Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Councillor Tom Fox, has welcomed this initiative and emphasised that, “it will improve the enjoyment of Mullaghmore for all users. In opening this facility, Sligo County Council are dedicated to improving access for all to the wonderful natural amenities Sligo has to offer.”
Welcoming this Access For All initiative, Chair of Sligo County Council’s Disability Consultative Committee, Councillor Declan Bree, emphasised that, “this is excellent initiative and is the first completed Access For All project at one of Sligo’s many beaches. It also marks the start of a focus on improving accessibility at further beaches across Sligo.”
Swim Ireland’s Head of Participation Ashley Hunter highlighted, “over the past few years Swim Ireland have worked in partnership with Sligo Sports Partnership and Sligo County Council to provide open water programmes at beaches across Sligo. The addition of beach matting at Mullaghmore will enable us to provide new open water programmes for those with reduced mobility. We also look forward to seeing people of reduced mobility access the beach via the matting to go open water dipping / swimming or just to enjoy the beautiful beach. This project aligns to our vision of an island of swimmers and our commitment to ensuring that swimming is inclusive, welcoming, and accessible.”
Deirdre Lavin, SSRP Sports Co-ordinator was in attendance and noted, “Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership is delighted to support Sligo County Council and Swim Ireland with the introduction of a beach access mat at Mullaghmore. It is a fantastic initiative which will allow people of all abilities to enjoy beach access and will particularly benefit people with a physical disability, wheelchair users and persons requiring a more stable surface.”
Source: Sligo County Council