Ballymoney to become a fully accessible beach
It is wonderful to hear that Ballymoney beach, located in North County Wexford, is to become fully wheelchair accessible by the summer of 2024.
Wexford is the first County in Ireland to introduce Beach Wheelchairs and it is a wonderful addition to a beautiful location.
Location
Ballymoney beach is a 10-minute drive from Courtown, a 12-minute drive from Gorey and a 20-minute spin from Arklow in Wicklow.
Amenities
Ballymoney Beach is a little slice of paradise during the quiet spring, winter and autumn months.
New facilities at the beach will include beach wheelchairs that will be available from the storage area located next to the toilets.
The toilet facilities have also had an upgrade to allow those with disabilities access to suitable toilets.
There is a small shop to buy coffee and treats.
The beautiful Ballymoney Beach is a fine spot for a paddle or a ramble. Relatively quiet throughout the year, Ballymoney comes alive during summer, when people flock from far and wide to its sandy shores.
Multiple beaches
Ballymoney Beach is actually made up of a couple of beaches that are linked together. The north beach is the more popular option and has received the Blue Flag Beach award in the past.
The southern beach has been awarded the Green Coast Award for its cleanliness and is a quieter alternative.
Surrounding landscape
The coastline along Ballymoney is backed by grassy hills and woodland. There are a few trails connecting some of these surrounding landscapes with the beaches.
For those looking to tackle some quieter walks in Wexford, there’s some lovely trails to trek along nearby, most of which are accessible with all terrain mobility scooters, such as Freedom-scooters’ Gravis model.
Things to do at Ballymoney Beach
There’s a handful of things to do in and around Ballymoney Beach for those of you that want to make an afternoon out of your visit. If you need to use a mobility scooter then Freedom Scooters have all terrain mobility scooters to suit all your needs.
If you’re looking for a quick stop, you can find a parking spot right next to the beach. From there, you can easily head down to the beach and relax.
The Ballymoney Trail
If you want to try a slightly different trail, the Ballymoney Trail connects the Ballymoney Beach with Seafield Beach to the south. The coastal trail includes some steps and rocks to climb over, so you might want to be careful if you’re dragging some kids along.
Alternatively, there is a narrow pathway on higher ground without the climbing that still connects the two beaches. The views on either trail are beautiful right across the coastline.
Things to do near Ballymoney Beach
One of the beauties of Ballymoney Beach is that it’s a short spin away from many of the best places to visit in Wexford.
Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from Ballymoney Beach.
Tara Hill (10-minute drive)
Just north of Ballymoney Beach, Tara Hill offers an incredible view over the coastline including the beach. The isolated hill has a couple of walking routes, with one tracing the base of the hill and the other taking you up to the top for the panorama. Both walks are around 5km each and accessible with scooters such as the ZT63.
Courtown Woods (15-minute drive)
Courtown Woods are another lovely place for a stroll. The woods back onto Courtown Beach and make a nice extended walk through the trees and onto the sand. There are trails taking you through the woods and past small water canals and we have visited these with a number of our all terrain mobility scooters, such as the Veleco Faster. It’s also a nice spot for a picnic away from the busy beach crowds.
Seal Rescue Ireland Visitor Centre (15-min)
If you want to take the kids to a fun little experience, head to the Seal Rescue Visitor Centre near Courtown Beach. This volunteer-run organisation rescues and rehabilitates seal pups from the coast. They offer feeding experiences at certain times during the summer months which the whole family will love.
Wexford Lavender Farm (20-minute drive)
Just north of Gorey, you should make a stop in at Wexford Lavender Farm. This local farm and café are particularly beautiful when the flowers are in full bloom during summer. You can wander through the blanket of purple flowers or enjoy some of the other attractions at the farm. There’s a café, gift shop, playground, maze and plant sales to check out as well.