July 2021

Wicklow Tourism is keen to assess how accessible Wicklow is, and on July 2021, we organised a visit of Glendalough to check how accessible the valley of Glendalough is.  See below photos and tips of our day, with some notes and recommendation from our team.

Meet the team:  Adrian Keogh (wheelchair user), Clara Jenkinson (Sports Inclusion Disability Officer), Mary Ann Lyons (Mary Ann is using crutches and brought a frame as well just in case), Jenny Curran (Accessible Adventures),

Our trip starts from the Glendalough Hotel.  The Glendalough Hotel has a few accessible rooms.  First destination is the Visitor Centre.  Unfortunately, the centre was closed due to COVID-19 restrictions.  The Centre is fully accessible with accessible toilets as well.
Note:  Disabled parking was close to the visitor centre but could do better marked.

Note:  Adrian felt that the toilets at the visitor centre, although fitted with a larger cubicle for better accessibility, were not up to wheelchair standards.

Although uneven, the majority of the terrain was accessible by wheelchair, but required support at various points.

The team in front of Glendalough Monastic Site.

Crossing the bridge to reach the Green Walking Route towards the Upper Lake

Adrian with the Monastic Site on the background

There is a strong gradient after the bridge to reach the Green road.  Here Mary Ann found the hill manageable using her crutches

Here Adrian had to use all his strength to roll himself to reach the road.  Adrian is a strong rower with plenty upper body strength.

Next junction was the access road into the monastic site.  The site is not wheelchair accessible and Marie Ann was able to visit the site using her crutches

There are a few high steps to reach the upper section of the Monastic Site

Mary Ann and the Round Tower in Glendalough

There is a short gradient to reach the boardwalk.  Note that the boardwalk can be very slippy when wet (especially in Winter).

The boardwalk is two meters wide most of the time, and two wheelchairs can pass each other

After a short climb, there is a convenient bench to rest and enjoy the views of the Lower Lake

The path to reach the upper carpark narrows down at points and includes a few ups and downs.

Stunning views over the Upper Lake and Glacier Valley

The Glendalough National Park has a very informative visitor centre (closed on the day) and a sensory garden.  The garden is accessible although the terrain varies between grass, gravel and paving.

Mary Ann and Adrian in the Sensory Garden

There are plenty picnic tables at the Upper Lake.  There are also vendors offering a limited variety of foods and drinks.  The toilets do have accessible toilets, secure by pin code lock.  Unfortunately, there was no one at the car park kiosk to give us the code, with just a phone number, but no coverage in the valley…

We had a great day out visiting Glendalough.  Accessibility can definitely be improved as we encountered a few challenges along the way.  An improvement to Accessible Parking markings and larger accessible toilets at the Upper Carpark would make this experience even more enjoyable for wheelchair users.

Note that at the time of writing this blog, there is an extensive masterplan to redevelop the Glendalough Valley which should greatly enhance visitors experience when completed.  We will come back!

If you have any question on our trip above, please contact us at info@visitwicklow.ie, and we will pass on your email to Adrian, Mary Ann, Jenny and Clara.