Legless In The Country: The Burren Perfumery, Carron, Co. Clare

The Burren Perfumery
Carron, Co. Clare
burrenperfumery.com

Tucked away in Carron, you'll find The Burren Perfumery where they make all of their own soaps, shampoos, lip balms, face cleaners and tea from their own herb garden. I adore their rose facial serum and their lavender and marigold facial cleanser. You'll get swept away with the amount of things that you don't necessarily need but you'll definitely want.

What has it got?

Seating: In their tea rooms, they have moveable chairs at their tables. There is outdoor and indoor seating and most of it is easy to get to. Around the perfumery, there are stone walls that double up as a place to rest. 

Doors: The doors are wide enough to fit a wheelchair. 

Ground: Outside, there are limestone slabs and gravel. It's a little uneven but manageable. Inside, I think it's more limestone flooring but it is all flat. Sadly, their herb garden is a little tricky to get around because the paths are uneven and rough. I made it halfway through and had to give up. 

Stairs: If there are any steps here, there is a sloped surface right beside it. 

Bathrooms: There is no wheelchair bathroom here but I did fit my wheelchair into one of the larger cubicles. Not all wheelchairs will fit in here. If there was a foot of extra space, it would have been easier. 

Spaciousness: Other than the bathroom and the herb garden, there is enough room in the perfumery and the tea rooms.

Helpfulness of Staff: The staff are absolutely lovely here. They will help you pick out what's right for you and if you need any assistance, it should be no problem. 

Parking: There is no specific wheelchair spot and none of the parking spots are lined out so if you pick your spot carefully, you will have enough room to get a chair in and out. 

Rating: 7/10

Why did it lose points? Sadly, the Perfumery lost three points because their bigger bathroom would not be able to accommodate most wheelchairs and it's a pity to miss out on the herb garden because it is beautiful. Please don't let these two things put you off your visit because the it's a lovely place to visit and you'll leave smelling like a garden or roses. 

Legless In The Country: Linn Fashion and Gifts, Visitor Centre, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare

Linn Fashion and Gifts
Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare (behind Spar)
linnfashionireland.com


As well as a tourist information point, Linn Fashion and Gifts has a surprisingly varied collection of, you've guessed it, fashion and gifts.


What has it got?

Seating: No seats in here but if you want a bit of a lean or a perch, there's a grand wall out front.

Doors: The door is normally kept open here but it fits a wheelchair.

Ground: A fine display of wooden panelling going on in here. 

Stairs: There are a couple of steps in but there is a ramp beside it too. 

Bathrooms: There is no bathroom here but it's just across the way from Spar's bathrooms which are big enough for a wheelchair. 

Spaciousness: It can be a little bit tight between all of the display units but with some parallel parking and three-point turning, you will get to see everything. 

Helpfulness of Staff: Geraldine Linnane runs this shop and she is the woman to talk to for tourist information. She is very helpful and if you need anything else, simply ask. 

Parking: There is wheelchair parking available at the entrance of the shop. 

Rating: 9.5

Why did it lose points? Linn Fashion and Gifts lost half a point because it can be a little bit tight between all the display units and shelves. All in all, it has everything else in place in terms of access. 

Legless In The Country: Village Stores (Spar), Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare

Village Stores (Spar)
Main Street, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare


Other than the petrol station, this is Ballyvaughan's only food shop. It closes at 8.30 most evenings so don't forget to pick up your báinne. This Spar is a bit of a social spot and you might get to spot the local celebrity here, the fat cat (above).

What has it got?

Seating: There are picnic tables outside Spar and this is where the fat cat can normally be found. 

Doors: The doors are wide and easy to open. 

Ground: The ground is tiled in here so take heed when it's wet. 

Stairs: Not a step nor stair to be seen. 

Bathrooms: They actually have a large bathroom around the back of this Spar which is nifty for everyone really. 

Spaciousness: There is plenty of room between the aisles but some of the shelves are high. 

Helpfulness of Staff: Staff are great here and if you need a hand, don't be too shy to ask. 

Parking: There is a wheelchair spot behind this Spar and there are plenty of other parking spots beside it.  

Rating: 10/10

Why did it lose points? No points were lost. It's a very easy shop to navigate. 

Legless In The Country: Caherconnell Stone Fort, Carron, Co. Clare

Caherconnell Stone Fort
Carron, Co. Clare
facebook.com/caherconnell

Caherconnell Fort is an ancient ring fort that is found on the farmland of the Davoren family. Once you've visited the fort, you can check out the sheepdog trials demonstrated by John and his furry pals, Sally and Lee, or try some Caherconnell Cheese in their café. The fort itself is very impressive as its shape is fully preserved and there are archaeologists working on the site for most of the year and just last week, they discovered the remains of a woman and two children which are believed to be from the 10th or 11th Century.


What has it got?

Seating: The tables all have moveable chairs here. 

Doors: The front doors are kept open and all the rest of the doors are very easy to manage. 

Ground: Inside the centre, the floors are a mix of limestone and wooden panelling. Outside, the path is a mix of light and heavy gravel. Out to the fort, the ground is rough but because it is a preserved site, very little can be done about it. However, it is possible to get a wheelchair up to the fort. All you need is a bit of a heave here and there. Out to the sheepdog viewing area, it is up a slight hill so a push will be needed but once you get there, it is a flat and sheltered area. 

Stairs: There are no stairs but keep in mind that the ground will be uneven and rocky around the fort. 

Bathrooms: They have a large wheelchair bathroom in the café area which is beside the ladies and gents. 

Spaciousness: There is plenty of room to maneuver here. 

Helpfulness of Staff: The staff are very helpful and if you ring in advance, they can help you plan your visit. 

Parking: There is a car park at the bottom of the hill which has a graveled path leading up to the centre. But if you ring in advance and say that you need easier access to the building, you can park beside the centre which has a tarred car park with a flat surface. 

Rating: 9/10

Why did it lose points? The fort is a preserved site so it is difficult to get everything perfect in terms of access but what they have in place is very good for an outdoor and rocky site. The staff are very helpful here and will do their best so you can enjoy your time at the fort. Make sure you don't miss the sheepdog trials. 

Legless In The Country: Poulnabrone Dolmen

Poulnabrone Dolmen
No specific address but Google maps is nifty here
No website either. That's how old it is.

Poulnabrone Dolmen is probably the defining image of The Burren and Young Harry is a point of perspective in the photo above.  I have very early memories of sitting on top of it as a young one but due to its historic importance, it's now cordoned off by a rope. It's worth visiting at least once to highlight how The Burren has remained untouched since 2500 BC (approx.). If you get there on a sunny day, you'll find a multilingual druid at the gate who will carve your name in ogham onto silver.



What has it got?

Seating: There are no actual seats here as you are in the open wilderness of The Burren. The limestone can be your seat. Get in touch with nature. 

Doors: No doors either. 

Ground: The car park has stony gravel and the slope down to the site has a lighter gravel. When you get to the path leading to the Dolmen, it gets a little bit rough. It is manageable but you may need a hand. 

Stairs: There are some steps from the car park down to the site but they have a slope running beside it. 

Bathrooms: No toilets here unfortunately. But then again, you are in the outdoors. Please, no urinating on the megalithic tomb.

Spaciousness: You could scream and shout here but there will be no echo. That is how spacious it is here. 

Helpfulness of Staff: No staff here. The Dolmen is a public site and free in so you can come in and out at your own leisure. 

Parking: There is no specific wheelchair spot in the car park but if you choose your spot carefully, you will have enough room to get the chair in and out. 

Rating: 9/10

Why did it lose points? The Dolmen lost one point because the terrain is a tad rough but you are in The Burren and rocks and stones are to be expected. Otherwise, you can get very close to the tomb and they did a great job at making a protected and stony heritage site as easy to get to as possible. 

Legless In The Country: Ballyvaughan Farmers Market

Ballyvaughan Farmers Market
Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare
ballyvaughanfarmersmarket.ie

Every Saturday from May to October, the Farmers Market happens in the old national school in Ballyvaughan. You can get fresh vegetables, delicious cakes, seafood, flowers, actual authentic Thai food and all the local gossip in one go. The picture above looks a little depressing but it's a very lively affair, I promise.


What has it got?

Seating: There is a table with moveable chairs in the middle of it all where you can devour all your purchases. 

Doors: The doors are kept open into the old school and they are wide enough to fit a wheelchair. 

Ground: The yard, where most of the stalls are, is tarred and inside the hall is all wooden flooring. 

Stairs: There are no steps in or out of the yard or hall and there is a slope inside the hall to bring you out to the library and toilets. 

Bathrooms: They have one bathroom here and it's for everyone. Men, women, kids and wheelchair users. 

Spaciousness: Plenty of room. And then some.

Helpfulness of Staff: There are no staff here per se but they're all very friendly at the stalls and if you needed a hand at any stage, I am sure they'd oblige. 

Parking: Parking gets a bit manic in the 'vaughan during market hours so...Godspeed. 

Rating: 10/10

Why did it lose points? Markets are not something that normally cater for access but, in this case, the Famers Market is on solid ground, there is room between the stalls, we have a wheelchair bathroom and slopes as opposed to steps. Even though parking is an issue, it is an issue for everyone because of the specific opening hours but get down early and you should be grand. 

Legless In The Country: Logues Lodge, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare

Logues Lodge
Main Street, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare
logueslodge.ie

I was only in the pub/restaurant part of Logues, not the hotel part, but the part of Logues which I did sample is a good pub to bring the kids for dinner. They have a decent selection of pub grub and there's live music here at the weekends.


What has it got? 

Seating: Most of the tables here have moveable chairs and the tables are a nice height for a wheelchair.

Doors: The doors are easy to get through but you might run into a table as soon as you get through. 

Ground: We have a nice mixture of tiles and wooden panelling going on in Logues. 

Stairs: There is one slight raise at one of the doors into Logues pub/restaurant but there is a flat entrance too. 

Bathrooms: There is a large wheelchair cubicle available in the ladies toilet and I have been informed that the same is on offer in the gents. 

Spaciousness: When I was coming in and leaving Logues, I had to ask quite a few people if they could pull in their chairs so I could get through. While there is space for a chair, you will have to use your manners here to make your way to your table/bathroom/bar.

Helpfulness of Staff: The staff are super attentive here. Ask for help and I'm sure you'll be tended to. 

Parking: There is wheelchair parking available at the Spar across the road and there is plenty of street parking available. 

Rating: 9/10

Why did it lose points? Logues lost one point because as soon as you get in the door, you meet a table and you have to get people to move. 

Legless In The Country: Tea Rooms, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare

Tea Rooms
Coast Road, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare
tearoomsballyvaughan.com

Fun fact: Steven Spielberg stopped off in Shannon Airport when he was en route to Prince Albert of Monaco's wedding just so he could go up to the Tea Rooms in Ballyvaughan and have their baked cherry cheesecake. I would personally stop for their lemon meringue pie but different strokes for different folks.


What has it got?

Seating: The tables all have moveable chairs here and the majority of them are tall enough to fit a wheelchair. Some of the tables are lower. 

Doors: I had no problems with the front door here. 

Ground: That beautiful Burren limestone flooring lyeth here. 

Stairs: There is a ramp at the front door which is at the perfect angle. There is one step out to the conservatory area and there is another step out to the garden area. However, you can get to a seated area outside if you go around the side of the Tea Rooms. 

Bathrooms: Unfortunately, there is no wheelchair bathroom here. 

Spaciousness: There is plenty of room in the main area of the Tea Rooms. The conservatory could be a little tight though. 

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

Parking: There is no specific wheelchair parking spot for here but there is a lot of parking available along the harbour. 

Rating: 7.5/10

Why did it lose points? The Tea Rooms unfortunately lost two and a half points because they have no wheelchair bathroom and when it comes to drinking tea, you will definitely need the bathroom. Please don't let you put that off visiting because the Tea Rooms (and their gardens) are so beautiful

Legless In The Country: Greenes Bar, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare

Greenes Bar
Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare
facebook.com/greenes.bar


Greenes Bar is a really lovely pub that was recently refurbished and somehow managed to retain its small village feel. They have a great smoking area and you'll find live music there on most nights.


What has it got?

Seating: A lot of the tables have moveable chairs and stools. 

Doors: I needed a bit of a hand with the front doors here as they're on a slope but there were no problems with the other doors. 

Ground: The floor is tiled in here and when a few pints spill, it could be a bit risky. 

Stairs: Not a step in sight. 

Bathrooms: They have a wheelchair bathroom here and you'll have to ask for the key at the bar. This bathroom is honestly the cleanest and nicest smelling bathroom I've ever been in. Kudos. 

Spaciousness: Things will get a little bit cosy as the places fills up and the night wears on. That's not always a bad thing. 

Helpfulness of Staff: The staff are wonderful here. Again, when things get busy, you could be waiting a bit for the key but simply ask if you can keep it unlocked for the night. 

Parking: There is wheelchair parking behind the Spar and there is plenty of on street parking. 

Rating: 10/10

Why did it lose points? No points were lost here because everything is on the ground level (smoking area as well) and they have a wheelchair bathroom. Even though it is kept locked, all you have to do is ask for it to be kept unlocked for the night and you will have no problems. 

Legless In The Country: L'Arco, Ballyvaughan, Co, Clare

L'Arco
Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare
burrenrestaurant.com

As shocking as it may seem, the best Italian food I've ever had in Ireland was in Ballyvaughan's prizewinning L'Arco. Every time I have been there, there has been a queue of people waiting to get a table. If you're going yourself, I'm a big fan of their crepes which are stuffed with spinach and risotto and then baked in a tomato sauce.


What has it got?

Seating: All of the tables have moveable chairs. There are a number of tables that are closer to the bathroom which would be handier for those less nimble on their toes. 

Doors: The doors are big and are easy to open. 

Ground: Limestone flooring as far as the eye can see. 

Stairs: There are no steps in or out of L'Arco and everything you need is on the ground level. 

Bathrooms: They have a large wheelchair bathroom downstairs and the ladies and gents are upstairs. 

Spaciousness: Loads of room here and no obstacles whatsoever. 

Helpfulness of Staff: The staff here are very helpful when it comes to getting you the right table or helping you pick out the right prosecco. 

Parking: There is a wheelchair parking spot located behind the Spar, which is across the road from L'Arco. There is a lot of street parking available outside too. 

Rating: 10/10

Why did it lose points? It didn't lose any here. L'Arco is a huge asset to the village. 

Legless In The Country: An Fulacht Fia, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare

An Fulacht Fia
Coast Road, Ballyvaughan. Co. Clare
anfulachtfia.ie

Sitting on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, An Fulacht Fia offers some of the finest Irish cuisine in the most stunning surroundings. All of the food is locally grown or produced and it is ridiculously tasty. I am literally drooling at the memory of the lamb I had there. The owners, John and Mairin Connole, are so welcoming that you'd almost return for their hospitality alone.


What has it got?

Seating: All of the tables have moveable chairs. 

Doors: The doors are easy to open and they fit a wheelchair nicely. 

Ground: The entrance has wooden flooring, which could be a little bit slippy when it's wet out, and the restaurant area is carpeted. The bathrooms are tiled. From the car park, there is gravel but it's not too difficult to move through.

Stairs: There are no steps in or out of An Fulacht Fia.

Bathrooms: They have a wheelchair bathroom here and I had no problem getting in or out of it. 

Spaciousness: There is plenty of room to move around here but if it is busy, you will have to ask people to move their chairs in if you're going to the bathroom. 

Helpfulness of Staff: Extremely helpful and they will assist you in whatever way you can. 

Parking: There is no specific wheelchair parking spot but the car park is large so there will be enough room to get a chair in and out without scratching your, or anybody else's, car. 

Rating: 10/10

Why did it lose points? No points were lost here. Everything is flat, the wheelchair bathroom is in check and there are no obstacles to get in the way of you enjoying your meal here. In fact, it should get extra points because the food here is that good.