A pilot scheme for accessible beach mats will start in Silverstrand Beach next Tuesday and at Ballyloughane Beach in early August.
The mats improve access to the shoreline for wheelchair users, people with mobility difficulties, families with buggies and older people.
It has taken years to get this initative moving as the mats have been in storage for three years at Galway City Council
Campaigner James Daly from Rahoon, whose daughter Ruby loves to swim, says getting the beach mats in place is like winning the lotto
Day-to-day operation of the mats, subject to tidal and weather conditions, will be managed by Galway City Partnership through the Tús scheme
James Daly told Galway Talks says the next steps in the campaign are to get the Galway scheme made permanent and then to have the mats rolled out nationally
