New public toilets to be provided at Abbeylands

The facilities at Tesco carpark are also set to be refurbished

Cavan County Council will provide new accessible toilet facilities as part of the overall Abbeylands development, which will see works commence in 2024.

This will include a ‘Changing Places' facility, which offers larger supported facilities for people with complex care needs.

Hoping to replicate the success of the scheme adapted in the UK, this purpose-built facility gives people with disabilities and carers more space and access to the right equipment to take care of personal hygiene. Such bathrooms may include additional assistive technology such as a hoist, height adjustable adult-sized changing bench, height adjustable basin and toilet.

Last year the toilet block at the Townhall car park was demolished to make way for an outdoor performance space and the next phase of development of the historic Abbeylands area.

The project was sanctioned in 2022 having attracted half a million euro in funding, and a further €250,000 from the Outdoor Space fund.

The work was in tandem with the council's Abbeylands redevelopment plans, for which Minister for Local Government, Darragh O’Brien, awarded €14.49 million.

A new Remote Working Hub and a Community Services Centre are to be developed at the former McIntyre's building on Abbey Street and Donohoe's Foodfare respectively; while new streets will link to Main Street and Bridge Street, creating over 4,500m² of new pedestrianised public space.

However, the council has now confirmed its intention to add a new toilet facility. This is in addition to a full planned renovation of the existing public toilet facility located opposite Tesco at Townparks.

A spokesperson for Cavan County Council added that public toilet facilities remain available at council buildings and council-managed facilities across Cavan Town.