Wexford’s newest spectator sport

June 1992

‘Spot the condom machine’ is set to become the new spectator sport in Wexford as hotels and pubs start to chance in on the change in legislation allowing the dispensing of non-medical contraceptives in public premises.

No sooner had the condoms bill passed through the Dáil in record time last week than the first machine appeared.

Early off the starting blocks was The Halfway House in Ballycogley, a popular music venue which is frequented by large numbers of young customers.

The owners were canvassed by an Irish distributor about a month ago and indicated that they would be interested in installing a machine when it was legally okay.

And as quick as you could say ‘rubber plantation’, a company representative arrived on Thursday last, immediately after the Dáil debate, and installed a machine in the gents’ loo.

Machines have also cropped up in a few venues around Rosslare but business is still quiet enough in the Wexford area, according to Bulletin Ltd. of Tullow, Co. Carlow, who supplied The Halfway House.

The company, which supplies the ‘Bonkers’ brand of condoms at £2 for a packet of three, was formed recently for the specific purpose of filling the niche market created by the new condoms legislation.

‘We expect business to pick up,’ said a spokeswoman. ‘Most people have been waiting for the bill to become the law and we expect that once a few premises start installing them, more will follow.’

Claudia Jackman of The Halfway House was unable to say how the condom machine was received by customers. She was too busy catering to the crowds who turned up to a rock festival at the presmies over the Bank Holiday weekend.

But she really doesn’t see what all the fuss is about anyway. They installed one as a practical facility because they have a generally young clientele, she said.