My Ireland
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5 fun experiences for blind and visually impaired visitors
Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin © Chris Hill
1. A night at the theatre
I travelled to Dublin with my husband, who is also blind. We took the Enterprise train to Connolly station and easily found our way to the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre by taxi for a performance of Miss Saigon. I had booked the tickets by telephone and although it wasn’t an audio-described performance, the theatre does offer accessible performances including audio description, touch tours, captions and sign language interpretation.
The welcome that we received at the theatre was fantastic. Assistance was given in a friendly and gentle manner. Staff intuitively guided us to the bar, where we enjoyed a pre-show drink and when it was time for the performance, they guided us to our seats. The whole experience was welcoming, and we felt comfortable and valued as patrons and audience members.
Navan Centre and Fort, County Armagh © Carsten Krieger
2. A visit to an ancient fort
When we had family visiting us, we took a trip to Navan Centre and Fort in Armagh. We hadn’t pre-booked and therefore had not given any access requirements but the experience was amazing. We were given a tailored tour by our own guide. He audio-described everything as we went and was so informative and enthusiastic.
I particularly enjoyed the tour of the Celtic village. The living history actors were so engaging and intuitively offered us artefacts to feel. We could really sense the change of space as we entered the dwelling, and the smells of the wood burning in the fire and the texture of the woven walls made it a truly unique sensory experience.
Killarney National Park, County Kerry © Chris Hill Photographic
3. A ride in a jaunting car
During a road trip with my cousin, who was visiting from Australia, we visited Killarney. We were choosing activities that were experiential as opposed to solely visual so that I could enjoy the trip as much as my sighted companion. One of the best experiences was a trip on a jaunting car, which we actually came across by accident. My first sense of it was the clip clop sound of the horse’s hooves so we approached the driver out of curiosity. The driver gave me a touch tour of the horse and car, guiding me around the car and describing all the colours and the leather tack.
We were sold so off we went on a tour! It was a sunny day, I could smell turf, hear the clip clopping and the whinnying noise the horse was making. It was incredibly relaxing and calming. When the tour was finished the driver gave me an apple to feed to the horse. Hearing the crunching of the horse enjoying the apple was great after it had given us such a fantastic, life-affirming experience.
St George's Market, Belfast
4. A day at a food market
I love visiting St George’s Market, which is one of Belfast’s oldest attractions (it is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday). It has a rich display of foods and bespoke crafts and the air is filled with the smell of fresh fish, the aroma of freshly cooked curries and the whiff of sizzling sausages which are added to a traditional Belfast bap. The stalls include everything from antiques to handmade jewellery and clothes.
For me, shopping and browsing among the independent traders is a festival of touch. It can be busy but it is all level access, which makes it easy for sighted guiding or using my cane. I love how I can sense the sunlight moving through the space because of a large section of clear roofing. The sounds in the market are varied. I enjoy sitting with a coffee listening to the live music, the chatter of the crowd and in particular the many different languages that you can hear along with Belfast banter.
Kylemore Abbey, County Galway
5. A trip to a stately home
I travelled by car to Connemara with my church choir, we stayed in Abbeyglen Castle Hotel. One of the best elements of the hotel stay for me were the resident parrots, Gilbert and Leeroy. Listening to their chatter, particularly when they asked guests to buy them drinks, really added to my experience!
While we were on the trip, we visited Kylemore Abbey, where a member of staff took me on a bespoke audio-described touch tour. I loved feeling the handmade craft items such as Aran knitwear and the Kylemore pottery range as well as enjoying the scents of the candles, lotions and potions. We also travelled to Inishbofin. The smell and sound of the sea, the feeling of the wind and the sense of vastness that I experienced were awe-inspiring and liberating.
