Congratulations to Enable Ireland service owner Tara Conroy who has completed the gruelling Camino walk accompanied by her family. Tara’s brother, James, works as a psychologist with Enable Ireland’s Children’s Disability Network Team in Ballyboden and Tara’s dad, Tony, is a relief driver with Enable Ireland in Cork.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Tara’s mum Trish said, “Our journey started when we travelled from Rosslare to Billbao with Brittany Ferries on the Salamanca. Tara is happy to report that the accessible cabin was perfect for her needs. Tara, James and I started our walk in Sarria and walked at least 20km a day. It took us five days to complete the 100k walk to Santiago de Compostela. The terrain was a mixture of forest trails and hills. Some of it was very manageable and other parts were challenging (to put it mildly!!).

Tara loved it and the highlight of her trip was all the wonderful people she met on the way. One girl became her singing buddy for a morning. While others offered assistance and their company along the way. James was just unreal! He pushed Tara up so many long climbs and over such uneven surfaces! We travelled over with the family caravan so we had some home comforts and Tony travelled ahead to meet us at the end of our walk every day.

We would like to acknowledge the support we got from Tara’s Occupational Therapist in Enable Ireland, Gerlene. Gerlene was able to process the submission for a 'Freewheel' which added stability and additional comfort to Tara's wheelchair. We got it just in time for our walk!

To be honest we came with an open mind as to if we could do it! I am so proud of us for reaching the finish and getting such a warm welcome in Santiago from all the people we met along the way. We will be forever grateful for this wonderful experience.” 

- Trish, Tara, Tony and James Conroy