

Papal Visit Loo Seat
"This is a memento of Pope John Paul's visit to the Phoenix park. The week before the big day we went with my Dad to see how the preparations were going. The new Papal Cross was impressive but we teenagers were much more intrigued by the construction of the rows and rows of long drop toilets. No Portaloos back then. Plywood benches were cut out at regular intervals with an oval shape, large enough for a bottom but not large enough to lose a small child. Plywood walls were erected to form cubicles and doors were added later. We took this home and it been used ever since as a breadboard or pot stand. Not lavished with care but certainly a family treasure. We revisited the toilets on the day. The queues were massive but we were very relieved with the facilities. "