Super new beach wheelchair launched at Narin-Portnoo this morning

A fantastic new electric wheelchair that will enable visitors with disabilities access to the beach at Narin-Portnoo was officially launched into service at a special ceremony there this morning.

The X8 can navigate sand and every terrain you can throw at it. With unrivalled off-road performance and reliability, it's perfect for people who otherwise might not able able to enjoy the natural landscape.

Chairman of the nearby Dolmen Centre, Leonard Molloy spoke of the dedication and commitment Paul and Julie Dawson had shown to the project and indeed to many similar developments in the Narin-Portnoo and surrounding areas and said their contribution was greatly valued by the entire community.

"The couple has managed to raise something like €18,000 in a very short space of time and we now have a beach wheelchair and a shed to house it and hopefully with Donegal County Council's help, we will get power to the shed which will allow the service to be made available to visitors to the area."

Mr Molloy also spoke of the work that was being done in the area in developing services for those with disabilities and mentioned the addition last year of the state-of-the-art Changing Places facility beside the beach,  work on a viewing point near the local Church of Ireland and a house that was being converted to cater for wheelchair friendly holidays.

Cathaoirleach of the Glenties Municipal District and chairman of the Disability Forum within the council, Cllr Anthony Molloy also praised the good work of Paul and Julie Dawson adding the council was also working towards providing what it could too.

"This wheelchair will be a wonderful addition to Narin and allow people with disabilities access to the beach while they are on holiday here."

Chairperson of the Narin-Portnoo Tidy Towns Committee, Mary Nicholson thanked everyone involved in securing the wheelchair and shed for the area and once again spoke highly of the immense contribution the Dawsons had made to many aspects of local life since they came there.

Paul Dawson thanked all groups connected with their efforts and praised the wholehearted support from so many organisations who made this event possible. He paid a special tribute to his wife who, he said, was the inspiration and driving force behind everything he got involved in.

Visitors were treated to a demonstration of the wheelchair on the beach and afterward, all retired to the nearby coffee shop for refreshments on a super day for  Narin-Portnoo.

If the great outdoors at Narin-Portnoo Beach is where you want to be, the X8 is waiting to take you there.