Eoin says he’s ‘over the moon’ with two new pedestrian crossings

AFTER going viral last year with a video highlighting the inaccessibility of many footpaths and pedestrian crossings for wheelchair users around Carlow town and Graiguecullen, Eoin Harte is “over the moon” and “delighted” that the county council began work on the Castle Hill pedestrian zebra crossing yesterday, Monday 6 July.

The council is also due to start work on a raised table crossing at the bottom of Centaur St in Carlow town tomorrow, Wednesday 8 July.

“Eoin is delighted with the support from everyone,” said Eoin’s assistant at Rehabcare Carlow, John Kavanagh. The new crossings and dropped curbs will make it easier for him to get into town independently and will also benefit the kids in nearby St Fiacc’s NS.

Speaking of kids, over the last few months, Eoin has been taking his #ClearThePath campaign to local schools. He visited Borris College and Carlow National School to speak about accessibility, wheelchair parking and obstacles on footpaths.

“We were nervous the first day,” said John, but Eoin “did a great job”.

The transition year students at Borris College made suggestions for ways to improve the area for wheelchair users, including reminding people not to park in wheelchair-designated spaces.

“It was new for them and new for us,” said John, but “they asked us back again for next year,” he said happily. “Eoin is really really enjoying it. He’s delighted to be talking to the students.” 

At Carlow NS, the pupils had a chat with Eoin and John and presented posters they had made for Eoin’s campaign. “In fairness, they were very good at answering questions about accessibility; they were very well informed. Some students knew people in wheelchairs and the hassles they have,” explained John.

One of the posters read ‘Eoin for President’. Using his presidential powers, Eoin declared a no homework day for the pupils.

Many of the obstacles have simple fixes. John said Eoin’s pet hate is wheelie bin day, when paths are littered with heavy bins, and he is forced to find another way to get past them.

Since making the video detailing the obstacles that Eoin encounters when going from his home to Carlow town centre, the council has been proactive in making the area more accessible. They have created a new crossing at the Castle Tavern at the exit to Church St from Castle St and have dropped another curb along his route, too.

Eoin and John wanted to thank the council for the good work they are doing to make Bagenalstown more accessible, too.

While Eoin will take a break from touring schools over the summer, he is “more than willing” to go to any school next September if they are interested in hearing from him.