The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has formally opened Ireland's first accessibility centre for water sports in Ballyleague today.
The new facility which is funded through Just Transition has been delivered with support from DPD Ireland and will operate at the base of the Lough Ree Access for All boat.
It offers people with physical and intellectual disabilities an opportunity to enjoy sports such as angling, power boating and sailing - without restrictions.
The social enterprise is the only provider of a licenced passenger boat service for people with disability in Ireland or the UK
The national accessibility centre employs nine people including Mark McClean, a young Longford man who was paralysed after a road accident.
Speaking to Shannonside FM at today's opening Mark says it's a special day for all involved.
''We do accessible boat trips and I think we have the only boat of its kind across Ireland and the U.K. where the bow comes down and it's easy for wheelchair accessibility. When I was in the NRH, when I was getting into a boat for the first time there was no way or ramp so I had to be hoisted in and you lose your dignity, but I got onto this boat and kept my dignity so it was brilliant.''
You can listen to the full interview below.
