The aunt of a woman with Down Syndrome has said inclusion is a really important aspect for her.

Eimear Nic Lochlainn was speaking as Tuesday marked World Down Syndrome Day.

Eimear is the aunt of Donegal woman Maire, who has Down Syndrome.

The pair agreed to go a cycling trip to Switzerland before COVID-19.

Eimear told Newstalk Breakfast she "struck gold" when she found an electric tandem trike.

"I searched around a lot in Ireland and Switzerland to see if I could get some sort of a bicycle that we can share," she said.

"I really struck gold: I found this electrical, side-by-side tandem trike for rent.

"When I told Marie we'd be going to Switzerland for this camping and cycling adventure, Marie shared with me - and it was somewhat unexpected - that she wanted to travel on her own to Switzerland".

Eimear and Maire on their cycling trip. Picture: Supplied

Eimear said this was a "right of passage" for Marie, as her brother and sister had done it before.

"I did make it happen, and it was great", she said.

"We made it happen simply because of the trust of her parents, that they placed in me.

"They knew it was time to let her go, despite that protection they want to have over Marie".

Eimear and Maire on their cycling trip. Picture: Supplied

Eimear said they saw Switzerland, Germany and Austria.

"Marie decided that our motto was, 'I can and I will'," she said.

"So anytime we were facing any hurdles or a slight technical problem, that was the motto.

"We had three glorious days cycling around the beautiful Lake Constance.

"The sun was shining, the lake was turquoise and we meandered our way through these beautiful cycle paths through Switzerland, on into Germany, into Austria and then back to Switzerland again".

Maire on the tandem trike. Picture: Supplied

Eimear said the trip was as much about socialising as it was about cycling.

"What I noticed with Marie... her joy was infectious and the bicycle offered the opportunity that we weren't focusing on cycling, it was the social aspect that was really important to her," she said.

"She could sit, she could chat and sing on the bicycle - and sometimes it felt that Justin Bieber was like a virtual member of our team.

"She sang all his songs along the way".

Eimear and Maire on their cycling trip. Picture: Supplied

Eimear said Marie "conquered many firsts" on the trip.

"Not only travelling to Switzerland on her own, but simple things like... putting up a tent, blowing up the air mattress.

"She swam in the lake for the first time, she even learned some German words.

"She cycled every kilometre of the 115 kilometre tour," she added.

Listen back to the full interview below:

Main image: Eimear and Maire on their Swiss cycling trip. Picture: Supplied