A Walkability Audit took place at Echelon Park, Wicklow GAA County Grounds in Aughrim on Friday 6th March. Echelon Park was one of four successful GAA stadiums across Ireland selected to pilot this project in partnership with Age Friendly Ireland and the GAA, aimed at making facilities more accessible and age friendly. A walkability audit evaluates whether an area is safe, convenient and accessible for individuals of all ages and abilities to walk or wheel independently.

Attendees included members of the Older People’s Council Executive Committee, the Disability and Inclusion Steering Committee (DISC), Sunbeam House services, along with representatives from Wicklow County Council, including the Sports Inclusion Disability Officer in Wicklow Sports and Recreation Partnership and the Age Friendly Technical Advisor and Programme Manager.

Participants in the audit used a checklist to assess the stadium’s accessibility, including aspects such as car parking availability, clear signage and accessible restrooms. The expertise and first-hand experience of individuals with a lived experience of disabilities is highly valued for this project and is greatly appreciated.

For anyone who could not participate in the Walkability Audit but would like to provide feedback, an online survey is available through Wicklow County Council’s social media pages on Facebook and Instagram. All feedback is greatly appreciated.

Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Emer O’Gorman, commented that, “This walkability audit at Echelon Park is an important step in delivering on the ambitions of our Wicklow Age Friendly Strategy 2023–2027. Ensuring that public spaces are accessible, safe and welcoming for people of all ages and abilities is central to our work. The insight provided by older people, people with disabilities and our partner organisations is invaluable, and will help continue to improve the experience for all who visit the Wicklow GAA County Grounds.”

Michael Nicholson, Director of Services and Chair of the Wicklow Age Friendly Alliance, said, “I want to acknowledge the dedication of everyone involved in organising and participating in this walkability audit. Their collaboration ensures that the improvements made are informed, practical and genuinely responsive to the needs of the community. This initiative strengthens our ongoing work to enhance accessibility across Wicklow’s public spaces.”

Age Friendly Ireland is responsible for the national Age Friendly Shared Service, affiliated to the World Health Organisation's (WHO) Global Network of Age Friendly Cities and Communities. The programme involves a multi-agency, multi-sectoral approach to age related planning and service provision. Age Friendly Ireland supports cities and counties to be more inclusive of older people by addressing their expressed concerns and interests under the eight pillars of the World Health Organization's global programme. Successful Age Friendly Programmes are working to create the kinds of communities in which older people live autonomous, independent and valued lives. To date, the local government led Age Friendly Programmes across Ireland have implemented real change in imaginative and cost-effective ways. By introducing actions to address participation and inequality, it is intended that people of all ages will be supported to enjoy healthier, more active and connected lives.

The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) is Ireland’s largest sporting organisation. It is celebrated as one of the great amateur sporting associations in the world. It is part of the Irish consciousness and plays an influential role in Irish society that extends far beyond the basic aim of promoting Gaelic games. The Association also promotes Irish music, song and dance and the Irish language as an integral part of its objectives. As a community-based organisation, it is often stated that it is difficult to determine where the community ends and the GAA club starts as they generally overlap and are closely intertwined.

This partnership between Age Friendly Ireland and the GAA forms a strategic focus on the continued implementation of age friendly practices through the GAA’s network of club and county structures while further developing its stadiums to achieve age-friendly recognition.

Wicklow County Council’s Disability and Inclusion Steering Committee (DISC) works to integrate disability and inclusion into all of Wicklow County Council’s actions and strategies. Laura O’Callaghan, from the Disability Federation of Ireland facilitates DISC works closely with the Access Officer and Age Friendly Programme Manager, Sarah McElroy. If you would like to support DISC’s work, you can email disability@wicklowcoco.ie. We are particularly interested in hearing from people with a lived experience of disability who would like to get involved in the committee