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Irish coastal holiday homes for the disabled

Starting the hunt for a holiday cottage can be a daunting prospect for anyone. Accommodation has the ability to make or break your holiday, so it is something that you want to get right no matter what, but starting the search can feel especially scary if you have mobility needs as you begin to question ‘will I be able to find a holiday cottage with everything I need to make my holiday as easy and as comfortable as possible?’ Thankfully though, with the increase in cottages in general, there has also been an increase in accessible cottages, meaning that your worries can be a thing of the past.

Ireland is increasing in popularity as a holiday destination, not just for city breaks but for beach holidays as well. Easy and relatively cheap to get to, Ireland boasts a number of stunning beaches all round the coast including Tramore in County Wexford, Enniscone on the coast of Sligo, which offers Kilcullen Sea Baths and Brittas Bay in County Wicklow with absolutely stunning scenery. No matter where you choose to stay in Ireland, you will never be far from the seaside, something which seems to really appeal to those wanting to holiday in beautiful, natural scenery.

Once you have figured out which part of the Irish coast is for you, it is important that you work out what features you need from your cottage. Try to do this by thinking what you have at home – you may take these things for granted but it is important to identify them when you are looking for holiday accommodation, as this is when you will really start to miss them. If you’re struggling with this, think about:

Bathrooms

The bathroom can be a hazard if you have mobility problems. Water makes everything slippery, so think about what you can do to prevent this causing accidents while you are away. Do you have grab rails at home? If so, look for a cottage with grab rails in the bathroom. Would you need a shower or bath seat? Try contacting the owner of the cottage to ensure there is one ready for you. Consider whether you would be able to manage a shower over a bath or whether you would need a shower cubicle instead. There is no reason that you should have to make life harder for yourself simply because you are away on holiday. After all, your safety is paramount, and many cottage owners will want to do what they can in order to accommodate you. Wet rooms are also growing increasingly popular in holiday cottages, so you should not struggle to find a cottage that provides all the features that you need when it comes to hygiene.

• View holiday cottages in Ireland with grab rails and a wet room

Space and Access

When we think of cottages, we tend to think small, old and quaint, which, if you have mobility issues can start ringing huge alarm bells. Cottages these days though, do not tend to be tiny and cramped, so if you use a wheelchair or other mobility aids, there should be plenty of cottages available that can accommodate you. Ensure when you are booking your cottage that you will be able to get around it as easily as you possibly can, because nothing would be worse than getting there and realising that you can’t get your wheelchair around the bedroom, for example. The same can be said for access too. While many cottages are bungalows, if you struggle with stairs generally, or those which are particularly steep or narrow, it may be worth checking to see if there is a downstairs bedroom so that you do not add extra stress. Holidays are supposed to be relaxing after all.

• View wheelchair accessible holiday homes in Ireland

Location

So you have already decided that you want to stay by the seaside on your holiday, but think about how near to the Irish coast you want to be. Remember that some seaside towns may be cobbled and hilly, so it is important to check this out if this may be a problem for you. Do you want to be close enough to see the beach or is the smell of the sea air and the sound of seagulls enough for you? Make sure that you opt to stay in a holiday cottage that does not put a strain on you physically, do not pretend you are fine with staying miles away from the beach if you want to be able to walk there easily, for example, as you will only end up regretting it and not getting the most from your holiday.

Parking

Anyone relying on a wheelchair needs to have parking close to a holiday cottage with easy access to the accommodation via a ramp or a level path. This is not always clear in the details so it may be wise to phone and enquire prior to booking.

Your mobility does not have to stop you from holidaying where you want. It may take a little longer to find the perfect accommodation and you may have to get in touch with some cottage owners, but there are plenty of seaside cottages in Ireland suitably adapted to ensure that you can have a stress free and relaxing holiday regardless of you needs.

Holiday lets in Ireland with facilities for disabled guests