By Naomi Hamilton O’Donnell
THE Changing Places and Accessible toilets facility has officially opened at Letterkenny Retail Park.
Plans for accessible toilet facilities have been in the pipeline for many years, however a number of obstacles including a change in ownership of the Retail Park stood in the way of development.
The ribbon, which in this case was substituted for toilet roll, was cut by Accessibility Officer at the Donegal Centre for Independent Living, Mo Farah and CEO of Accessoloo Michael Holden MBE.
Mo said: “This is something that will be very handy for people with disabilities.”
The unit provides essential infrastructure for the town’s busiest shopping area, and the facility was constructed entirely by a trailblazing team of tradespeople with disabilities.
From plumbers and electricians to carpenters, the construction team proved that those typically viewed as “service users” are, in fact, highly skilled “service providers.”
Michael Holden MBE noted that the project highlights the vital importance of recognising the professional contributions of the disability community in shaping their own environments. He emphasised that by having people with disabilities build the very facilities they use, the project proves they are experts capable of delivering high-quality public infrastructure.
The ceremony was marked by a poignant tribute to the late Catherine Chan, a tireless local disability advocate who passed away in 2023. Catherine was the first to propose a Changing Places unit for the area, and her legacy of campaigning for a more inclusive Donegal was at the heart of the day’s celebrations.
Councillor Jimmy Kavanagh expressed pride in the completion of the facility, a project he had long championed and formally proposed through the Council.
Speaking to Donegal News, Cllr Kavanagh said: “It’s great to get to this point, it has been a long time in the making. Going back to Town Council days we’ve been asking about toilets here but we have ended up now with a really good facility.”
Cathaoirleach Paul Canning commended the vital work of the Environment team and the Council’s Access Officer, while noting the essential role the Disability Strategy Committee plays in ongoing efforts to promote inclusion across the county.
Cathaoirleach of Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District, Cllr Ciaran Brogan further highlighted the collective vision that brought the project to fruition, specifically mentioning the great cooperation of the Retail Park in the ongoing management of the facility.
Following the ceremony, attendees enjoyed refreshments provided complements of Kernans Bistro, which were kindly organised for the event by Cllr Pauric McGarvey.
This landmark facility powerfully underscores the message of the recent “Put Us To Work” campaign, a partnership between Donegal County Council and the Donegal Centre for Independent Living (DCIL).
The standard accessible toilets are open during business hours, while the specialised Changing Places unit requires a universal key for access. Keys are available to purchase through local organisations including DCIL, IWA, Cara House, Cairde Le Chéile and Little Angels School.
