Beach toilets in Ballyhornan to remain open

Beach toilets in Ballyhornan to remain open

3 January 2024

VISITORS to Ballyhornan beach will now be able to spend a penny all year round.

Newry, Mourne and Council has decided that given the beach’s popularity and the fact the location is an official bathing beach, the public toilets should not close at certain times of the year.

The decision has been welcomed by the village’s community group and Downpatrick councillor Cadogan Enright.

He is delighted that several years’ of campaigning has resulted in the public toilets remaining open 12 months of the year.

Cllr Enright said the “huge work” to restore the dune systems involving hundreds of volunteers, has been followed up with extensive investments in disability-friendly paths to access the beach, a new play park, with Lecale Conservation funding extensive wildflower areas.

“There has been a major increase in visitors all year round, walking the beach and having days out,” he said.

“It was painful to have to explain to people why the public toilets were not open and available. The local Cable Bar pub is often plagued with people desperate to use the toilet.

Development Association chairman, Gerry Young, said confirmation that the toilets will be open all year round is a welcome Christmas present for the village.

“It is just another small step in regenerating the village and I want to thank Cllr Enright and the volunteers from Downpatrick Community Collective and Lecale Conservation and the Scouts who have helped to restore the beach,” he said.

“We have a long way to go to put the village to rights. We are still the only major settlement without street lights and pavements and many of our roads are not adopted.”

Mr Young also called on elected representatives of this area to reactivate the so-called Ballyhornan Realm Interagency Group and deal with the outstanding issues in the village plan.