One of my favourite websites to check in on almost daily is the Flickr account of the National Library of Ireland. It’s ‘Pic of the Day’ feature has thrown up a great many gems, not only from the capital but throughout the country, pictures which often are of special interest to those of us with a keen interest in social history.
Recently, they uploaded a picture of what they described as a “very ornate” urinal on Ormond Quay, dating from 1969 and in black and white.
It was soon followed by a great colour photo, believed to be from 1973, showing the same urinal this time with ‘The Eagles’ scrawled across it. I actually cringed upon seeing that, a bit like you would if one of your parents featured in the recent ‘Where Were You?‘ sporting skinny jeans.
Interestingly, a comment suggests that these style urinals were “imported prior to the 1932 Dublin Eucharistic Congress as part of a ‘clean up Dublin’ campaign.”
Sadly, the public toilets of Dublin are no more and those in need of a wee are advised to make for the nearest McDonalds, glance at the menu briefly for the security lad thinks you’re pondering a purchase, and then make a move when you have him off guard. We’ve come so far as a city.
Click on the book for more.
Click on the book for more.
Donal
Ciarán
Sam
Come Here To Me! 
I remember that urinal. It was very smelly. I seem to remember when they got rid of it a student bought it for a pound.
These were a lifesaver in their day. There was one on Eden Quay and a more substantial jax on Burgh Quay which would be very useful today seeing as how Tara St. station has long abandoned its toilet to commercial gain.
http://photopol.com/signs/toilets.html
How did you know I used McDonalds in Grafton St. for that very purpose the day before yesterday. The toilet there is upstairs, so you don’t even have to glance at the menu 🙂
Not to mention the underground one in the middle of O’Connell St. Although I can’t say I ever remember the underground one in the island opposite the Bank of Ireland, underneath the Tommy Moore statue, being open. Then again, at the age of 16 or so my father warned me not to go into public jax’s if I could at all avoid it. Although of course the exact reason wasn’t mentioned (it was the 70s after all) I knew exactly what he meant!!
There was also on at the Junction of New St and Kevin St that was wiped out for road improvements. The one on Burgh Quay was where skinheads from the Bridge and the Clockwork used to go “queer” bashing.