The new Blackwater Wheelyboat will provide disabled anglers and wheelchair users in particular with unparalleled access to four miles of prime salmon fishing and sea-trout fishing on one of Ireland's most famous rivers. The boat has been acquired by the Cappoquin Salmon & Trout Anglers Association and will be available to both members and visiting day-ticket anglers. Funding for the boat was provided by the National Lottery Ireland, Southern Coarse and Trout Development Society and CLAR. She has been named as an "bradan feasa" ( the Salmon of knowledge).

Access for disabled anglers is extremely limited and there are few, if any, accessible pools on the entire river. The difference this one boat will make is enormous. In fact, it will provide disabled anglers with a huge advantage over their able bodied counterparts putting all the pools and runs in easy reach. Some of the beats are a fair distance to walk to and as a consequence are only lightly fished. Disabled anglers will be able to take advantage of these places as well as getting themselves into a prime position to fish the more popular pools which are only accessible to able bodied anglers from the bank or by wading.

The formal launch ceremony took place on August 20th 2004. Minister for the Marine, John Browne, represented the Government and warmly welcomed the initiative, even suggesting that funds will be found for similar projects.

The day after the launch, Jeremy Nicholson, secretary of Cappoquin Salmon and Trout Angling Association and Andy Beadsley, a wheelchair user and Director of the UK's Wheelyboat Trust, took the Wheelyboat for its first salmon fishing trip. Within an hour, Andy had christened her with a salmon, possibly the first salmon ever caught from a Wheelyboat. It was certainly his first one from a Wheelyboat and it was his first from the Blackwater. Minutes later Jeremy followed suit.

The River Blackwater at Cappoquin is as famous for its coarse fishing as it is for salmon and sea-trout and still holds the rod caught record for a roach. The Wheelyboat is also available for coarse fishing. For the non-anglers, though, the Wheelyboat can be used to explore the 17 miles to the estuary through some terrific scenery. There is no specific hire charge as for disabled people the boat comes as part of a day's fishing permit (about 20 euros). However, because the river can be a hazardous environment, Wheelyboat users will need to be accompanied by a qualified ghillie/boatman who will usually charge for their services.

To book the Wheelyboat, contact Jeremy Nicholson on 00 353 58 52302. At least 24 hours notice is required. The ghillie boatmen are members of the Cappoquin Salmon & Trout Angling Association and are trained to take on their new role .

Most disabilities do not prevent the disabled person from fishing, instead it is the consequences of the disability, e.g. the need to use a wheelchair to get around, that causes the problems. Where facilities such as the Wheelyboat are provided, as well as making life much easier for disabled people who already fish, it gives disabled people who have never fished before the opportunity to go fishing for the first time. It is therefore hoped that provision of facilities like the Wheelyboat throughout the UK and Ireland will encourage many more disabled people of all ages and backgrounds to experience for themselves the many charms fishing has to offer.