Plans for unisex public toilets in popular Cork tourist town blocked

Councillors unhappy with design of new toilets in Kinsale, maintaining three cubicles was not enough and insisting two of them should be clearly marked for male and female use

Councillors said they would only accept one unisex cubicle. Picture: Martin Keene/PA Wire

Plans to make all of the newly refurbished public toilets in a Co Cork town unisex have fallen foul of local councillors' objections.

The proposed design of the revamped toilets in Kinsale, Co Cork caused quite a stink when published. More than 110 submissions were received from the public, with the bulk of these criticising the limited number of cubicles being provided.

Councillors were also unhappy with the plans, claiming that just three cubicles was insufficient to cater for the needs of the local population and the large number of tourists who visit the popular spot.

Fianna Fáil councillor Gillian Coughlan, who chairs the Bandon/Kinsale Municipal District Council, told officials that councillors representing the area were reluctantly approving the plans, but with some caveats.

She said they would only accept one unisex cubicle and that the two others must be clearly marked, one for male use and the other for female use. Ms Coughlan said a separate disabled cubicle must also be equipped with baby changing facilities.

In addition, Ms Coughlan said councillors want the town’s superloo replaced in due course and a proper toilet block built in its place to cater for visitors.

Fine Gael councillor Marie O’Sullivan, who runs a restaurant/café in the town, said the refurbished toilet block must have a shelter at its entrance. Otherwise, those queueing to use it would be at the quayside which is exposed to the elements during bad weather.

“We have been trying for a number of years to get a new toilet block. We are not happy with the design but we have to bite the bullet and accept it otherwise we won’t have toilets,” independent councillor Alan Coleman said.

“It’s with a very heavy heart that I have decided to support the plan,” he added.

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Meanwhile, Macroom Municipal District councillors are set to discuss the town’s toilet woes at a meeting on Friday.

Fine Gael councillor Ted Lucey has tabled a motion saying it is totally unacceptable there is just one men’s and one women’s cubicle in the toilets at the town square and none at the town’s bus depot, which see about 1,000 people passing through it on weekdays.