'Disgraceful' public toilets on Mayo's holy mountain to be demolished

The public toilets on the shoulder of Croagh Patrick, described as being in a disgraceful condition in recent media reports, are to be demolished.

The news has been welcomed by Councillor Christy Hyland who said their condition was undermining the image of the holy mountain in the eyes of visitors.

The state of the toilets has also been the cause of negative publicity about the location.

A sum of €130,000 is being allocated, however, to refurbish the public toilets in the car park at Croagh Patrick.

Councillor Hyland has been campaigning for the work to be carried out following a wave of complaints by members of the public.

"Croagh Patrick is the jewel in the crown of tourism in west Mayo and the replacement of toilets, dating back to the 1960s, is long overdue.

“A temporary facility will be put in place when work starts later this summer," he added.

A sum in excess of €1 million has been spent on a new pilgrim path, a remarkable project which will help reverse many decades of erosion on the mountain, which is due to be completed shortly.