Closed toilets on Croagh Patrick too expensive to demolish

The abandoned toilet on the side of Croagh Patrick should be redeveloped and opened to the public according to some local councillors despite official's reservations.

The concrete building located at the shoulder of Croagh Patrick has been closed to the public for a number of years and councillors were informed it is too expensive to demolish and the council have no plans to open it.

The matter was raised by Independent councillor Christy Hyland who said that other mountains in the country have toilets on them and asked what plans the council had for it.

In response, Padraig Walsh, the Manager of the Municipal District said that due to the location of the building it will be too expensive to demolish but they do not plan to open it.

“The toilets on the mountain are closed and we don't have plans or funding to demolish them.We looked closely at it and it is quite an expensive task. We got advice from ecologists on whether an impact would be caused and we were told absolutely it would be caused. That is a big problem.

“We don't have funding to demolish and the way to do it would be an expensive way to do it. It is halfway up the mountain and equipment to put in will have to come across private property and across bog and you will have to make your way in. It will be very tricky and we don't have any funding or any plans at the moment,” he said.

However, Carrowholly-based councillor John O'Malley suggested it might be cheaper to repair it but Mr Walsh said there was no access to water or electricity and due to its location it would be difficult to clean.

When Cllr O'Malley suggested there was a requirement for a toilet on the mountain, Director of Services, Catherine McConnell replied 'certainly not'.

Cllr O'Malley refused to accept that the toilet could not be opened saying that water could be pumped from a nearby lake or rainwater could be stored to provide water.

“It was put there for people to use because it was required. It takes three hours to go up and down no matter how quick you go and where there are people to go. I am in favour of trying to repair it...even if it is nothing elaborate,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Walsh confirmed that tenders have been received for the construction of toilets in the carpark at the foot of Croagh Patrick in Murrisk and the project was 'moving quickly'. He said that once a contractor is appointed they expect the work to start immediately and to be completed quickly.