Dublin Food Co-Op

Dublin Food Co-Op
12 Newmarket, Dublin 8
dublinfood.coop/drupal/


I regularly go to the Co-Op's Sunday markets where you can find a whole array of things that you don't necessarily need but you definitely want. My vices tend to be Tina Turner records but you can get loads of bric-a-brac for your house, vintage clothes, jewelry, artisan coffee and delicious cakes.

The market is open on Thursdays and Saturdays too with plenty of fruit and veg on sale as well as dry foods.

The first Sunday of every month hosts the Vintage Fair
The second Sunday sees Fusion Sundays
The third Sunday you'll find the Brocante Market
The last Sunday of every month sees the Dublin Flea Market taking over


What has it got?

Seating: At the café part of the market, there are tables with moveable chair but it mostly has picnic tables with fixed benches which can be difficult for a wheelchair user to use.

Doors: All of the doors are kept open here but they are all very wide.

Ground: Concrete/painted concrete

Stairs: Wherever there are steps, there is also a ramp. The entrance is flat. 

Bathrooms: They have a wheelchair bathroom which is very big. There is a baby changing area in here too but it doesn't take up too much room. 

Spaciousness: The market tends to fill up very quickly so it can be tough to deal with the crowds between the stalls. 

Helpfulness of Staff: The stall owners will accommodate you in their own way but you are sort of left to your own devices here. 

Parking: There is free parking every Sunday but it can be tough to find a free space. I have yet to find a specific wheelchair parking spot here but if I park on the edge of a row of cars, I can get my chair in and out easily. If there is a wheelchair parking spot there somewhere, it is well hidden. 

Rating: 9/10

Why did it lose points? Other than a lack of specific wheelchair parking, the only difficulties here are caused when it is very busy with people. Otherwise, everything in place at the Co-Op is practically perfect. 

Among The Trees, Tea Rooms at Phoenix Park

Among The Trees, Tea Rooms at Phoenix Park
Beside Dublin Zoo, Dublin 8
phoenixpark.ie


Today was a typical summer's day in Ireland. It bucketed down rain and then the sun beamed gloriously which will no doubt give us all chronic back pain and confused bitterness to last a lifetime. On a day like this, why not venture to Phoenix Park and avail of all that open space and when the thirst for a cup of tea gets you, head to Among The Trees. It's a gorgeous little gazebo with a decent range of cakes and coffees. The marshmallow and Rice Krispie slice I had today was ridiculously tasty. In my ecstasy of eating it, I declared "every bite is an adventure".


What has it got?

Seating: Outside, there are picnic benches with fixed seats but there is also a table with moveable chairs. All of the tables inside have moveable chairs. 

Doors: You may need a hand with the front door here as it is split in the middle but it will fit a wheelchair. 

Ground: Tiled floor inside and tarred patio outside. 

Stairs: There is one step inside at the front door but one heft from a friend should get you in. 

Bathrooms: The ladies bathroom fits a wheelchair nicely. I didn't check the gents but the toilets are outside and when toilets are outside, there are no rules, right?

Spaciousness: There is plenty of walking space here. 

Helpfulness of Staff: The staff are very helpful and attentive here. 

Parking: There is wheelchair parking available beside Dublin Zoo and there is plenty of parking about the park but be prepared to compete with space wagons full of children and tag rugby teams for these spots. 

Rating: 9/10

Why did it lose points? It just lost one point because of the step in, otherwise, it is great and a fantastic addition to the park. 

Live reviews: Blur, IMMA, Kilmainham

Blur
Irish Museum of Modern Art, Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin 8
imma.ie

You've heard of Blur. They've managed to space out their live shows enough that you have to admire their stance on reunions. They're not milking it and, from Damon Albarn literally bouncing off the walls, you can see that they actually enjoy what they're doing.


What has it got?

Seating: The wheelchair area was mixed together with the VIPs so, near the end, there was a scramble for chairs. I also had to sit up there on my own as wheelchair users were only allowed one person with them and unfortunately, I had more than one friend there.  

Doors: No doors. You're outside. A land without doors. 

Ground: There was a light gravel on the path in and then the wheelchair area was up on a platform with white, plastic tiling leading up to it. Elsewhere it was grassy. Thankfully it didn't rain which would have made it a very messy affair. There was a few speed bumps along the way which would have toppled my chair over if I didn't have someone with me. 

Stairs: Slopes and mild hills as far as the eye could see. 

Bathrooms: As far as I was aware, there was one wheelchair portaloo right beside the wheelchair area. The VIPs got to use it too so maybe they should have added another one because you know what those VIPs and portaloos are like when they get together.

Spaciousness: It was a sold out gig so you claimed your space and hung on to it for dear life.

Helpfulness of Staff: One security guy in particular was very helpful. He made sure I had a good spot. Without him, it would have been a crap night. 

Parking: There was wheelchair parking about 20 metres away from the concert venue which was nifty. UPDATE: A friend of mine who broke her foot was not allowed to get dropped closer to the venue. She had to walk up a hill with no help from anyone. 

Rating: 5/10

Why did it lose points? I had to watch a gig on my own because of the silly plus one restrictions a lot of gigs use. When you could see the VIPs swanning in and out at their leisure, you'd wonder why I couldn't have two mates up there.  And the queues for the bar were woeful. 

I deducted another two points from this because my friend with a broken foot (cast and crutches in tow) had a lot of difficulty getting into the venue with very little assistance from the Gardaí or onsite security.