No Toilets in Dublin - Irish Times Makes a joke

Ernest · 08-10-2012 7:11pm #1

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2012/1008/1224325013000.html

Dubliin City Council at an all-time low: having closed down ALL the public toilets in the city (there used to be 60 at one time apparently) they now plan to persuade businesses to allow the public to use their toilets as public toilets. These are all these nasty pubs and restaurants with anti-social signs saying "Toilets For Customers Only" in a city with no public toilets!. It seems that DCC will reward them in some way for doing this.

The Irish Times reaction to this - make a jokey headline for the story! Is it any wonder we have such low standards in local government in this city when the Irish Times thinks provision of basic public services like public toilets is now some kind of a joke!

Islander13 · 08-10-2012 7:14pm

Ernest wrote: »

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2012/1008/1224325013000.html

Dubliin City Council at an all-time low: having closed down ALL the public toilets in the city (there used to be 60 at one time apparently) they now plan to persuade businesses to allow the public to use their toilets as public toilets. These are all these nasty pubs and restaurants with anti-social signs saying "Toilets For Customers Only" in a city with no public toilets!. It seems that DCC will reward them in some way for doing this.

The Irish Times reaction to this - make a jokey headline for the story! Is it any wonder we have such low standards in local government in this city when the Irish Times thinks provision of basic public services like public toilets is now some kind of a joke!

Surely everyone knows to just pop into a hotel? Well maintained safe facilities. Personally recommend the Shelbourne and Westbury!

MakeEmLaugh · 08-10-2012 7:17pm

Ernest wrote: »

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2012/1008/1224325013000.html

Is it any wonder we have such low standards in local government in this city when the Irish Times thinks provision of basic public services like public toilets is now some kind of a joke!

I'm more offended by how shit a joke it was.

Islander13 wrote: »

Surely everyone knows to just pop into a hotel? Well maintained safe facilities. Personally recommend the Shelbourne and Westbury!

I'm a McDonalds-on-Grafton-Street man, myself!

Lapin · 08-10-2012 7:25pm

If I owned a pub, I'd have no problem with people coming in off the street to use the toilets.

As long as they bought a drink.

RMD · 08-10-2012 7:27pm

The "toilet for customer use only" sign is there for a reason. From my experience it's there as a defence so they can refuse access to people they don't want using it. I've never been refused when asked, as long as you don't look dodgy I doubt you will be either. If they let anyone stroll in what's to stop some junkie deciding to shoot up in it? I've been in the jacks in McDonalds on Grafton before when some lovely fellow decided he'd smoke gear in one of the cubicles. I wouldn't want that shíte going on in my pub / restaurant.

bryaner · 08-10-2012 7:35pm

They should do Amsterdam style with public urinals, works well over there..

julyjane · 08-10-2012 7:39pm

bryaner wrote: »

They should do Amsterdam style with public urinals, works well over there..

If you're a man!

Most shopping centres and big shops have public toilets - no one checks to see if you've bought anything. I don't mind paying 20c or whatever if they're well maintained but it's a nuiscance having to find a 20c coin required in some places (Eyre sq. SC in Galway with it's turnstiles being one example)

bryaner · 08-10-2012 7:50pm

julyjane wrote: »

If you're a man!

Most shopping centres and big shops have public toilets - no one checks to see if you've bought anything. I don't mind paying 20c or whatever if they're well maintained but it's a nuiscance having to find a 20c coin required in some places (Eyre sq. SC in Galway with it's turnstiles being one example)

Most problems seem to be men pissing on the streets/doorways hence why the Amsterdam format seems to work well..

blatantrereg · 08-10-2012 7:52pm

The editor must be eyeing the Sun as his next career move.

rubadubduba · 08-10-2012 9:33pm

It would a viable business if DCC would tender it out to someone that could build and maintain the toilets. take a lease out for a hundred years or something like that, and charge fifty cent a head.

admiralofthefleet · 08-10-2012 9:36pm

im going to take a few photos shortly for the historical photos thread

maybe we can make a list of the abandoned chod bins around the city

clontarf
college green
terenure
harolds cross
rathmines
dartry
ballsbridge
o connell street?

anymore?

Cienciano · 08-10-2012 9:51pm

Can you get access to them? Wonder what they look like inside, or when they were anyone was last in there?

starviewadams · 08-10-2012 10:19pm

They put out that porta-urinal beside the BOI on Westmoreland Street every weekend.

Victor · 08-10-2012 10:42pm

admiralofthefleet wrote: »

im going to take a few photos shortly for the historical photos thread

maybe we can make a list of the abandoned chod bins around the city

clontarf
college green
terenure
harolds cross
rathmines
dartry
ballsbridge
o connell street?

anymore?

Scortho · 08-10-2012 10:56pm

The best examples of public jacks are the ones in Paris.

As far as I remember They're run by JCDecaux.

While the Dublin Bikes deal means that we cant really offer them anymore billboard advertising, would it be possible to use the exterior of these toilets as a form of advertising? Especially with them located in the main thoroughfares of the capital, you could have a massive amount of people walking by your add everyday.

The ones that are in Paris are small enough that they can be located on the actual streets and not underground yet big enough to have a significantly large add attached.

http://www.etravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/public-toilets-Paris.jpg

starviewadams · 08-10-2012 11:15pm

Victor wrote: »

College Street / Green http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,715945,734189,7,3

http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=College+Street,+Dublin&hl=en&ll=53.34521,-6.258924&spn=0.001643,0.005284&sll=53.34521,-6.25857&sspn=0.00326,0.010568&oq=College+Street,&hnear=College+St,+Dublin,+County+Dublin&t=m&z=18&layer=c&cbll=53.34516,-6.258773&panoid=bIWHm3Qstu1Yvd2hfikUwQ&cbp=12,322.18,,0,17.63

Harolds Cross http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,714618,731818,7,3

http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Dublin,+Harolds+Cross&hl=en&ll=53.323991,-6.279759&spn=0.003262,0.010568&sll=53.355706,-6.257771&sspn=0.001642,0.005284&oq=harolds+cross,+Dublin&hnear=Harold%27s+Cross,+Dublin,+County+Dublin&t=m&z=17&layer=c&cbll=53.324193,-6.279629&panoid=5q68wiwFj9s4Y8LyD49ckA&cbp=12,93.14,,0,7.13

Was there a second one? http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Dublin,+Harolds+Cross&hl=en&ll=53.324081,-6.278633&spn=0.003262,0.010568&sll=53.355706,-6.257771&sspn=0.001642,0.005284&oq=harolds+cross,+Dublin&hnear=Harold%27s+Cross,+Dublin,+County+Dublin&t=m&z=17&layer=c&cbll=53.32411,-6.278623&panoid=nR1ZCeItubKYO4ExTeIGkw&cbp=12,285.65,,0,11.33

Rathmines, Wynnefield Road http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,715445,731601,7,3

http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Wynnefield+Road,+Rathmines&hl=en&ll=53.322024,-6.267211&spn=0.000815,0.002642&sll=53.320518,-6.265383&sspn=0.013048,0.042272&oq=Wynnefield+Avenue+Rathmines&hnear=Wynnefield+Rd,+Dublin+6,+County+Dublin&t=m&z=19&layer=c&cbll=53.322024,-6.267211&panoid=7mRt53oMRCf-XOehsoxIwg&cbp=12,6.35,,0,9.87

Ballsbridge http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,717843,732389,7,3

http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Dublin,+Ballsbridge&hl=en&ll=53.328595,-6.230669&spn=0.003261,0.010568&sll=53.350017,-6.260442&sspn=0.006571,0.021136&oq=ballsbridge,+Dublin&hnear=Ballsbridge,+County+Dublin&t=m&z=17&layer=c&cbll=53.328595,-6.230669&panoid=vguOdgkV1QcYofI97itzrg&cbp=12,300.95,,0,1.37

O'Connell Street http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,715817,734732,7,9

http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=O%27Connell+Street+Upper,+Dublin&hl=en&ll=53.350017,-6.260442&spn=0.00652,0.021136&sll=53.324113,-6.278622&sspn=0.003287,0.010568&oq=Dublin,O%27Connell+Street&hnear=O%27Connell+Street+Upper,+Dublin&t=m&z=16&layer=c&cbll=53.350017,-6.260442&panoid=LTczZvj5NddgtBRYjxzy4g&cbp=12,17.45,,0,4.57

Ranelagh Triangle (demolished) http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,716236,731974,7,9

Leeson Street (now a shop) http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,716333,732772,7,9

http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Leeson+Street,+Dublin&hl=en&ll=53.332423,-6.253109&spn=0.00148,0.010568&sll=53.565599,-6.200409&sspn=0.103785,0.338173&oq=leeson&hq=Leeson+Street,&hnear=Dublin,+County+Dublin&t=m&z=17&layer=c&cbll=53.332423,-6.253107&panoid=_Qirw4-4h6n7A28UpGw1DA&cbp=11,269.33,,0,5.66

Castleforbes Road (part of sewage pumping station) http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,717708,734474,7,9

http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Castleforbes+Road,+Dublin&hl=en&ll=53.347215,-6.232247&spn=0.00074,0.005284&sll=53.332423,-6.253109&sspn=0.003287,0.010568&oq=castlef,+Dublin&hnear=Castleforbes+Rd,+Dublin,+County+Dublin&t=m&z=18&layer=c&cbll=53.347214,-6.232245&panoid=Giu20TBhT2QyWgSSikaoVQ&cbp=11,22.34,,0,3.29

Chancery Street (not convinced) http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,715041,734334,7,3

http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Chancery+Street,+Dublin&hl=en&ll=53.346801,-6.272324&spn=0.00074,0.005284&sll=53.347215,-6.232247&sspn=0.001643,0.005284&oq=chancery+,+Dublin&hnear=Chancery+St,+Dublin,+County+Dublin&t=m&z=18&layer=c&cbll=53.346803,-6.272325&panoid=hakqBcK2iDYOoHsmOl6jAw&cbp=12,153.89,,0,5.77

St. Stephen's Green (now part of the Luas electrical substation) http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,715815,733526,7,3

http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=St.+Stephen%27s+Green,+Dublin&hl=en&ll=53.339424,-6.261118&spn=0.000815,0.002642&sll=53.346803,-6.272325&sspn=0.001643,0.005284&oq=St.+Stephen%27s+Green,+Dublin&hq=St.+Stephen%27s+Green,&hnear=Dublin,+County+Dublin&t=m&z=19&layer=c&cbll=53.339424,-6.261118&panoid=gEjCccaYWXWgVoeylbpR-g&cbp=12,135.45,,0,3.84

Burgh Quay (demolished, road widening) http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,715961,734409,7,3

http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Burgh+Quay,+Dublin&hl=en&ll=53.347032,-6.258614&spn=0.00163,0.005284&sll=53.339424,-6.261118&sspn=0.000822,0.002642&oq=Burgh+Quay,+Dublin&hnear=Burgh+Quay,+Dublin,+County+Dublin+City&t=m&z=18&layer=c&cbll=53.347032,-6.258614&panoid=mJt5y_3yLeKcn9nPm1j-vA&cbp=12,59.15,,0,4.75

Kevin Street jctn New Street:

https://maps.google.ie/maps?q=53.338661,-6.272472&hl=en&ll=53.338754,-6.272531&spn=0.00064,0.001206&num=1&t=h&z=20&layer=c&cbll=53.338754,-6.272531&panoid=dMqL2FtgcJgInkNYBL0iPw&cbp=12,114.44,,0,0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bANF2AX2OQo

admiralofthefleet · 08-10-2012 11:19pm

Victor, I have always wondered what the building is that you call the second toilet in harolds cross park. on the park side it is just a tiled shell

Easy Rod · 09-10-2012 8:53am

starviewadams wrote: »

They put out that porta-urinal beside the BOI on Westmoreland Street every weekend.

Yep and one on Camden street also. A lifesaver at times!

ollaetta · 09-10-2012 9:18am

Victor wrote: »

Chancery Street (not convinced) http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,715041,734334,7,3

http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Chancery+Street,+Dublin&hl=en&ll=53.346801,-6.272324&spn=0.00074,0.005284&sll=53.347215,-6.232247&sspn=0.001643,0.005284&oq=chancery+,+Dublin&hnear=Chancery+St,+Dublin,+County+Dublin&t=m&z=18&layer=c&cbll=53.346803,-6.272325&panoid=hakqBcK2iDYOoHsmOl6jAw&cbp=12,153.89,,0,5.77

You're right. That building was part of a weighbridge which was removed in the 70s.

Frynge · 09-10-2012 9:32am

As someone else said if you don't look like a scumbag when you go in to a place asking to use the toilet they wont say no.
Some one told me before that there is an old law that says hotel have to allow public use of their toilet facillities and they have to give water to a passerby should they require it. I don't know if it is true and i have nothing to back it up though.
Where i work some one (that did share an extreme similarity with you're stereotypical scumbag) came into use the toilet and he felt it was neccessary to smear excrement over walls and floors.

John Mason · 09-10-2012 9:50am

Aberkebabara (sp) on Westmoreland Street wont allow you to use their toilets.

I have been escourted out of there for trying to use the toilets without buying something.

Jogathon · 09-10-2012 9:52am

DCC don't have a pot to piss in at the moment. Times are tough!

pm1977x · 09-10-2012 9:56am

Where's the disused one in Clontarf, is it between the two stretches of the strand beside the old baths?

Boulevardier · 09-10-2012 11:02am

It is a real pity that there were never any protests against the closure of these toilets, and that the spurious "anti-social behaviour" argument was never questioned.

The reason for the anti-social behaviour was of course that the loos were unstaffed for most of the time. In France, the loos are staffed (and partly financed by contributions at the door) and there are few if any behaviour issues.

I see no reason why DCC cannot reopen some of these loos, financed in part by contributions at the door.

In the meantime, people like me with, shall we say, bladder issues, will continue to walk furtively into pubs and hotels. We simply have no legal alternative.

Mr Simpson · 09-10-2012 11:13am

pm1977x wrote: »

Where's the disused one in Clontarf, is it between the two stretches of the strand beside the old baths?

I don't know, but there is still a working on beside dollymount beach, just beyond Royal Dublin Golf Club

John Mason · 09-10-2012 11:26am

Boulevardier wrote: »

I see no reason why DCC cannot reopen some of these loos, financed in part by contributions at the door.

.

tbh, i would think by this stage it would cost a lot of money to fix up. I pass the one in between trinity and Westin everyday and i would love to have a look around. The architector is impressive.

Does anyone have any photos of the inside of any of them? Havent seen Rashers around in while actually, he usually to go to photo man

admiralofthefleet · 09-10-2012 11:28am

mmcn90 wrote: »

I don't know, but there is still a working on beside dollymount beach, just beyond Royal Dublin Golf Club

im 90% sure its the building just beside the entrance to the railway works between the bridge and the entrance to westwood. im open to correction on this

Mr Simpson · 09-10-2012 11:33am

admiralofthefleet wrote: »

im 90% sure its the building just beside the entrance to the railway works between the bridge and the entrance to westwood. im open to correction on this

This? Pretty sure thats a pumping station. Says access is required 24hrs, and dcc are always there.

uch · 09-10-2012 2:52pm

I worked in a Dublin City Hospital and we had daily issues with Drug users making use of our facilities, we had to clean blood splatters and Blood trails on a daily basis, so I can understand Pubs and Restaurants not allowing you use theirs AD-HOC.

smokiebeverage · 09-10-2012 7:40pm

For reference this is where the article started from

http://www.dcba.ie/?p=762

pm1977x · 09-10-2012 7:45pm

mmcn90 wrote: »

I don't know, but there is still a working on beside dollymount beach, just beyond Royal Dublin Golf Club

Oh yeah, I know that one, having looked on Google Maps, the 'building' I was thinking about appears to be a cargo container :pac: which I now remember they were storing sandbags in, so I've no idea what I was thinking of

Merch · 09-10-2012 7:48pm

Scortho wrote: »

The best examples of public jacks are the ones in Paris.

http://www.etravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/public-toilets-Paris.jpg

one of these in greystones, I was told it wasn't working correctly, nothing to clean up after yourself.
Surely they cost a bit, automated and all, Staffed toilets must be the way to go, a bloody machine cant clean up as well or tell if the bog roll has run out, or replace it.

starviewadams · 09-10-2012 8:12pm

Scortho wrote: »

The best examples of public jacks are the ones in Paris.

As far as I remember They're run by JCDecaux.

While the Dublin Bikes deal means that we cant really offer them anymore billboard advertising, would it be possible to use the exterior of these toilets as a form of advertising? Especially with them located in the main thoroughfares of the capital, you could have a massive amount of people walking by your add everyday.

The ones that are in Paris are small enough that they can be located on the actual streets and not underground yet big enough to have a significantly large add attached.

http://www.etravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/public-toilets-Paris.jpg

Used to be one of those on Burgh Quay beside O'Connell Bridge in the mid 90's IIRC.They always seemed to be out of service too.

admiralofthefleet · 09-10-2012 8:26pm

mmcn90 wrote: »

This? Pretty sure thats a pumping station. Says access is required 24hrs, and dcc are always there.

yeah but im nearly sure it was once a public toilet, now converted. look at the ens of the building at the bus stop

what about the electricity sub station at the bus stop at the start of the malahide road? i always wonder was it a toilet at one stage

bobin fudge · 09-10-2012 9:14pm

there were toilets red brick ones in mountjoy square park up until a couple of years ago

optimistic_ · 10-10-2012 12:48pm

Jervis, free and clean

kylith · 10-10-2012 1:15pm

I like to go upstairs in Brown Thomas, those are some posh bogs.

Merch · 10-10-2012 1:43pm

In fairness, you can understand why businesses expect people to buy a product they supply if they are availing of other services for which they pay in any circumstances.
Its a cop out and it certainly doesn't look good from a tourism perspective for DCC IMO, although i expect most tourists will be purchasing food.
On the other hand the facilities that (tourists and locals) people have to put up with from some businesses that supply food and drink are pretty appalling.

Boulevardier · 10-10-2012 4:59pm

Someone needs to put up a web guide and app showing available Dublin loos.

We could also have reviews in the style of Tripadvisor or Menupages.

starviewadams · 10-10-2012 5:28pm

Bathrooms that I use in town are:

McDonalds on Grafton and O'Connell Street.
O'Neills on Suffolk Street.
Downstairs in the Arts building in Trinity off Nassau Street.
Porterhouse on Nassau Street.
Screen Cinema on Hawkins Street.

RADIUS · 10-10-2012 5:35pm

MakeEmLaugh wrote: »

I'm more offended by how shit a joke it was.

I'm a McDonalds-on-Grafton-Street man, myself!

It's the Ilac centre for me. Or if I am feeling posh , I'll hit Jervis.

If I'm caught out on the South siode I'll go to Stephens Green although they charge you 15 cent per visit the bastages.

10-10-2012 5:56pm

They could turn them into little businesses, like on the Continent. Lease them out, put a lady there, keep it spotlessly clean and charge 50c or a €1 a go. Keep them safe, well lit and no messing.

Problem solved, amenity provided and more employment created!

julyjane · 10-10-2012 6:25pm

Myself and the other half were in Venice a few years ago, there were public toilets but not too many of them. However they were easy enough to find as there were signs leading to them. The other half used one and I think he said it cost €2.

Still there have been times I was in Dublin city and would have paid that and more! Particularly on the long walk to Croker from wherever we got off the bus!

Piliger · 11-10-2012 2:59pm

I have spent some time in Krakow and Kielce in Poland, and there are plenty of public loos - all charge a small fee and have a low paid, low skill, worker keeping them in order.

To me this is an excellent model. I believe €2 is a totally fair price for using a well maintained, clean and supervised loo and Dublin should put these in place asap.

Ash.J.Williams · 11-10-2012 3:04pm

We had to move our door to avoid sharing a door with another office who dealt with the public....you really do not want the general public near your toilet...

Merch · 11-10-2012 3:46pm

Piliger wrote: »

I have spent some time in Krakow and Kielce in Poland, and there are plenty of public loos - all charge a small fee and have a low paid, low skill, worker keeping them in order.

To me this is an excellent model. I believe €2 is a totally fair price for using a well maintained, clean and supervised loo and Dublin should put these in place asap.

Compared to other countries I have been, I think 50cent or maybe a euro would be a fair price,
definitely attended over automated.
Not sure where the jump to 2 euro is from.

Victor · 11-10-2012 4:31pm

admiralofthefleet wrote: »

Victor, I have always wondered what the building is that you call the second toilet in harolds cross park. on the park side it is just a tiled shell

This is the other side. The seems to be a bit too well built to be a simple shelter, especially with the tiled floor and walls.

I had thought it had the marks from where cubicle dividers had once been, but I must gave been thinking of another building.

Finding some old maps with greater detail might reveal something.

There had been a fish pound where the current maintenance buildings are: http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,714652,731809,7,9

Piliger · 11-10-2012 7:58pm

Merch wrote: »

Compared to other countries I have been, I think 50cent or maybe a euro would be a fair price,
definitely attended over automated.
Not sure where the jump to 2 euro is from.

I am just saying that if the issue is a funding one ... and money is so scarce for councils ... then if €2 would fund the toilets ... then I believe it is a fair price for a clean, well maintained and supervised service.

Merch · 11-10-2012 8:52pm

Piliger wrote: »

I am just saying that if the issue is a funding one ... and money is so scarce for councils ... then if €2 would fund the toilets ... then I believe it is a fair price for a clean, well maintained and supervised service.

Id rather buy a burger for a euro and use those facilities
or hold on

But I think thats what DCC is relying on/prefers.
If funding is so much an issue 1 euro extra wont make a difference.
Id suggest the fee is a nominal charge to maintain facilities/subsidise attendant pay, not set up the facility.

John Mason · 12-10-2012 1:48pm

they are talking about this on Newstalk at the moment

Piliger · 12-10-2012 2:15pm

Merch wrote: »

Id rather buy a burger for a euro and use those facilities
or hold on
But I think thats what DCC is relying on/prefers.
If funding is so much an issue 1 euro extra wont make a difference.
Id suggest the fee is a nominal charge to maintain facilities/subsidise attendant pay, not set up the facility.

Hundreds of people visiting a well maintained, supervised loo each day is a lot of money. Paying a salary for attendants working shifts to cover opening hours for multiple public loos across a city is a lot of money.

€1 makes a huge difference.

No Toilets in Dublin - Irish Times Makes a joke

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