A new public toilet and Changing Places facility is taking shape at Letterkenny Retail Park, with hopes it will open to the public early in the new year.

The unit is located between Dealz and the new Boots pharmacy store.

It will include standard accessible toilets as well as a Changing Places facility, designed for people with disabilities who require the assistance of up to two carers. The facility provides additional space and specialist equipment, allowing users to access toilet facilities in a safe and dignified way.

The project has been in development since 2021, when Councillor Jimmy Kavanagh brought a motion before the council calling for an application for funding for a Changing Places facility in Letterkenny.

While the Retail Park facility experienced a series of setbacks, two similar facilities have since opened in the town, one at the Cairde Le Cheile building at the Vestry in the Town Park, and a step-down facility at Century Complex.

Progress on the Retail Park toilet block was paused again last year following a change in ownership of the shopping complex.

Cllr Kavanagh has welcomed the recent works and said he hopes the facility will open in early 2026.

Speaking to Donegal Daily, he said: “It’s great that we have now finally got the units in place and there just remains some ground work to do and hopefully the facility will be open to the public in the next month or so.

“It’s been quite a while since I first raised this at the council in October 2021 but all’s well that ends well.

“Thanks to the council officials who stuck to the task despite the setbacks and delays and in particular thanks to our access officer Trudi O’Reilly who worked so hard to ensure the project was completed.”

Cllr Kavanagh added that Changing Places facilities make a huge difference for people with complex disabilities and to their families and carers.

“On many occasions, the lack of such a facility means that disabled people often have use toilet floors for changing and often it means that families just simply cannot go to places because facilities are not available.

“Changing places facilities provide the necessary safe, fit for purpose environment necessary to take care of the needs and protect the dignity of the person, and allow people who need such facilities to attend and enjoy more community activities and events.”

New public toilet and Changing Places facility nearing completion at Letterkenny Retail Park was last modified: December 30th, 2025 by Rachel McLaughlin