Ireland is well accustomed to coming top of tourism lists but this one is slightly more unusual.
There’s nothing worse than trekking through the Irish countryside or hiking through the hills only to find yourself caught short and rushing back to find somewhere you can spend a penny. (If you're not comfortable with just embracing the great outdoors, that is!)
Well, if you’re lucky enough to find yourself in Gougane Barra Forest Park when nature calls then there’s no need to fret about some Trainspotting-style cesspool awaiting you, as their restroom has been declared one of the best in the world.
According to Lonely Planet and their latest publication “Toilet’s: A Spotter’s Guide,” the toilets at Gougane Barra in Co. Cork are world class, making the top 100 restrooms from around the world.
The only Irish toilet to make the list, Lonely Planet states: “Gougane Barra in Co Cork, Ireland, has been a retreat from the cruel world and a spot for quiet contemplation — since St Finbarr established an island monastery on the lake during the sixth century.”
“These thatched toilets, tucked away in the forest park, continue that tradition.”
Gougane Barra is a 1,000-acre forest park where the River Lee rises before making its way towards Cork City and the ocean.
Known for its remarkable scenery, Gougane Barra was once the home of St. Finbarr, patron saint of Cork, who founded his early Christian monastery on an island in Gougane Barra lake. There is still a small church on this island which is only connected to the mainland through a causeway.
A collection of the most “stunning lavatories” from around the world, Lonely Planet’s “Toilet’s: A Spotter’s Guide” describes each and every one of what they believe are the top 100 bathrooms.
“As any experienced traveller knows, you can tell a whole lot about a place by its bathrooms,” it states.
“Whatever you prefer to call them — lavatory, loo, bog, khasi, thunderbox, dunny, washroom, or water closet — toilets are a window into the soul of a destination.”
Among the other bathrooms included on the list were lobster loos in Wellington, New Zealand; a prototype space toilet, the ‘Tardis’ in Warmley in Gloucestershire; a hi-tech interactive loo in Tokyo; and a remote jungle toilet in Laos.
H/T: The Irish Post.
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