People with disabilities have the same needs for recreation and leisure as people without disabilities, however, they sometimes access more structured activities, thereby reinforcing their segregation from community and friends on occasion. The core principle of the Lough Ree Access For All boat and lake centre is to eliminate this segregation in so far as is humanly possible. The project also provides opportunities for able-bodied persons and disabled persons to play sport together, undertake adventure activities and socialise together.
Lough Ree is one of the premier angling venues in Ireland – renowned for its stocks of pike. The provision of the Lough Ree Access For All boat provides an, adapted, integrated water based experience for people with disabilities – allowing up to three wheelchair users at the same time. Access to the boat is via the bow of the vessel which lowers like a small car ferry, allowing passengers to roll on and roll off in their own manner and without needing assistance from anyone else.
The boat is the ONLY licensed vessel of its kind in Ireland and Britain for passenger travel of this nature and provides daily sailings, offering activities such as angling, sightseeing and other excursions in all weathers.
The boat crew and passengers are equipped with state of the art weather protection and safety equipment and the crew are trained to the highest professionally accredited standards.
