IWA Gym, Clontarf

IWA Gym
Blackheath Drive, Clontarf, Dublin 3
iwasport.com


The Irish Wheelchair Association gym boasts 100% accessibility (obviously) but it is also open to non-IWA members. With equipment, classes and training, it is open to everyone which is a great message. There is no line drawn between able-bodied people or people with disabilities. A lot of the equipment is adjustable so that anyone can give it a go.


What has it got?

Changing rooms: The changing rooms are spacious and allow for a large number of wheelchair users. There are wheelchair bathrooms and showers galore. There is also a separate changing room for high dependency members who need that extra bit of room for an assistant. 

Equipment: A lot of the weight machines have moveable chairs so you can wheel your chair right into them. 

Doors: The doors are all wide and once open, there is a delay with them closing so that they don't hit off your chair and give you enough time to get through.

Ground: The floor has a lovely non-slip surface. 

Stairs: There is one flight of stairs up to the gym but there is also a lift. 

Bathrooms: Almost all of the bathrooms are wheelchair accessible with all of the proper bells and whistles. 

Spaciousness: Plenty. And then some.

Helpfulness of Staff: The staff are amazing here. They are aware of people's varying needs so if you're trying out the equipment for the first time, they will let you know what's good for you. Anything you need to know, they will have an answer for. 

Parking: They have their own car park right outside with a large number of wheelchair parking spots

Rating: 10/10

Why did it lose points? It didn't lose any because this place is the exemplary in its accessibility. The memberships fees vary for IWA members, students and senior citizens which is also great for the pocket. If, as a wheelchair user, you have never used a gym before, this is an amazing introduction. With the specialised staff, you will have your own personal workout sorted in no time. 

IWA Sport run a number of disability awareness and training courses for schools and individuals which is a huge eye-opener to the world of wheelchair sport and the boundaries it pushes. 

St. Anne's Park, Raheny/Clontarf

St. Anne's Park
Coast Rd., Raheny, Dublin 5
www.dublincity.ie/recreationandculture/dublincityparks/visitapark/pages/stannespark.aspx

I took the pup for a jaunt there a couple of weeks ago. It's a mahoosive open space with a fairly decent café and plenty of nice walled gardens to wander around in. I didn't get to check out the playground facilities there but I will next time I visit.


What has it got?

Seating: There are plenty of benches placed around the park. Their café, Tír na nÓg, is found in the Red Stables area and it is a little tight to maneuver into tables but it is manageable.

Doors: I had no problems with the doors or gates around the park.

Ground: A lot of the paths are tarred over - lovely and smooth - and then some of the paths have a light gravel which is very easy to go over. It's mostly flat but if you're looking for a hill to roll down, you might be in luck there too.

Stairs: There's the odd step to be found in the Rose Garden and Walled Garden but they have a flat route  that you can take.  In their café, they have a flight of stairs inside but they have a wheelchair lift to bring you up.

Bathrooms: Wheelchair bathrooms are found in the Red Stables area and they are very easy to get in and out of.

Spaciousness: You're in a park. In fact, it's so big, it can't decide whether it's in Clontarf or Raheny.

Helpfulness of Staff: I didn't require help at any stage.

Parking: If you go to the car park near The Red Stables (link to map here), there is plenty of wheelchair parking. There is also a lot of street parking available in the area.

Rating: 10/10
Why did it lose points? It didn't. It's a perfect park.