Sir, – Further to Alice Leahy’s letter (October 27th), when I was young there were glass-cubicle bathrooms upstairs at the Tara Street pool where The Irish Times office is now. I remember these were spotless and much loved.
Casual dock labourers who lived in the Iveagh lodgings looked forward to a hot bath at the weekend. They would shave and put on clean clothes. I often gave them a lift in our van. It was the high point of their week.
The attendant gave out a hard towel and a bar of soap. It cost a small amount.
There are buildings in Dublin that could be converted for a modern version of this. There would be many firms willing to share the cost.
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Washing lies at the heart of human dignity. It is an idea worth exploring. It would enhance the lives of those without a home. – Yours, etc,
HARRY CROSBIE,
Dublin 2.
Sir, – How right Alice Leahy is to keep calling for public showers in Dublin.
A related issue is that public lavatories are actually being closed down.
The one beside the Luas stop in Stephen’s Green is chained up while the one opposite the entrance to Mount Jerome cemetery is now being used as a café. – Yours, etc,
ROBERT MacCARTHY,
(Formerly Dean
of St Patrick’s Cathedral),
Dublin 8.