Call for toilets, drinking fountain and more facilities at Cork's popular Lough

Public toilets, an improved playground and a drinking water fountain in the Lough have been called for by Social Democrats representatives.

Over the last year, TD Pádraig Rice and councillor Niamh O’Connor have been advocating for improvements to be made to the Lough - engaging with council officials, tabling motions and highlighting issues in local media.

Last Saturday, the Cork Social Democrats held a successful event at the Lough to share updates on the work done so far and to hear residents views on the next step.

The wins so far include; upgrades to footpaths on Pearse Road to make the approach to the Lough more accessible; some benches have been painted and other areas power washed, repairs have been made to the walls and paths in places.

However, they said that more work is needed, as they have called for the playground to be upgraded, public toilets installed, biodiversity improved, a drinking water fountain installed and all footpaths made more accessible.

Mr Rice said: 

“I love the Lough. It’s one of my favourite places in the world. 

It’s a great amenity for the people of Cork but there are ways that it could be improved.” He said that their recent community event had been very engaging: “

“One of the local residents who attended our event suggested a wooden shelter with seating for the wet days. Someone else asked for the playground to be enclosed. These are things the City Council should be able to do.

“An older man I spoke to told me to continue to advocate for public toilets. He told me he has a health issue that means he has to use a toilet more often than most. He said he often finds himself stuck. This shouldn’t be the case.” Ms O'Connor added: “The Lough holds a special place in my heart, like a lot of people, it's where my nan walked me as a baby and where I now walk with my own kids.

“It is a unique place used by a huge variety of clubs, groups and communities and provides a benefit to the city that I think you would struggle to find elsewhere. That was reflected in the diversity of people who attended our event on Saturday morning.

“Unfortunately, I don't think that current investment reflects the love people have for the Lough or the amenity it provides. 

Other areas of the city have seen significant investment in recent years and we feel that it's time the Lough saw some of that.”