Donegal County Council has won an award for creating age-friendly and inclusive beaches.
Donegal County Council, in collaboration with local community groups, has been honoured with the prestigious All Ireland ‘Age Friendly Environment Award’ at a ceremony in Dublin attended by Chief Executive John G. McLaughlin.
The award recognises the efforts in Donegal to improve beach accessibility for older adults and people with disabilities, focusing on age-friendly and public realm improvements.
Through comprehensive accessibility audits of several beaches, Donegal County Council has identified short, medium, andlong-term actions to improve access. These actions have included the expansion of the beach wheelchair programme and mobility equipment to 16 locations countywide, as well as the installationof boardwalks, the provision of accessible toilets and Changing Places facilities.
A key element of the project’s success has been the strong collaboration with community groups, local tidy towns, businesses,and volunteers. In Narin Portnoo, Paul, and Julie Dawson, along with Mary and Michael Nicholson, have played a vital role in expanding the programme and introducing motorised beach wheelchairs, enabling independent access to the beach. Additionally, Paul has worked closely with the Council to help other communities across Donegal implement similar initiatives, further advancing accessibility throughout the county.
