Spokeout
August 2025

We hope you are enjoying the summer months and are taking advantage of the opportunity to get out and about where possible.

If you need some inspiration, we are delighted to bring you a lovely feature on Lough Ree Access for All Boat Tours in Roscommon. Huge thanks to IWA Member, Shane Moran, also part of the team at Lough Ree for showing us around.  This summer, you may have also noticed how inaccessible Ireland’s beaches are. In this edition of Spoke Out, we bring you information and the opportunity to get involved in our Rolling Waves Campaign led by Rosaleen Lally, National Access Manager, so please get in touch; it is critical that everyone can enjoy Ireland’s stunning natural spaces.

We would like to thank the hundreds of amazing volunteers around the country who bring their passion and energy to IWA. We have been loving seeing all the wonderful activities that have continued over the summer. This month, we shine a spotlight on four volunteers supporting IWA in Clane. These volunteers have brought new opportunities to our members, everything from ceramics to computers! Thank you for all you do.

There’s been no downtime for our IWA-Sport athletes and volunteers as training and competitive events have continued. We spoke with Wheelchair Racer, Cillian Dunne, at the IWA-Sport Para Athletics National Championships about his return to the sport and what’s next for him.

Our cover feature this month is a very special one as Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Hildegarde Naughton, answers questions for Spoke Out about her role and the Government’s plans to improve the daily lives of people with disabilities.

This and so much more, including an opportunity to win up to €1,500 in our monthly draw, awaits you, so please do take a few moments to relax and read the full edition.

Many thanks,

Pam

Print this edition
Spotlight on:
Min. Hildegarde Naughton
Lough Ree Access for All Boat Tours
Also inside:
IWA's Rolling Waves Campaign, Mobility Life air travel & lots more!

In this issue:

  • Spotlight on: Minister Hildegarde Naughton
    "A measure of success for me would be removing the need for families and individuals to fight so hard for services." - Minister
  • Advocacy
    How to Make Your Voice Heard - Budget '26
  • Fundraising
    Could You Be Our Next Monthly Draw Winner?
  • Sport
    Cillian Dunne returns to Wheelchair Racing after two years
  • Volunteers
    Celebrating Clane IWA Volunteers
  • Mobility Life: Planes, Chairs and Rackets
    Travelling with two wheelchairs, three rackets and a whole lot of duct tape - Garreth Greene
  • Our Beaches need Wheelchair Access
    IWA's Rolling Waves Campaign
  • Lough Ree Access for All Boat Tours
    Longford IWA members enjoy getting out on the water
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