Pictured (L/R): Oisín Foley (Sports Ireland), Mary McMorrow (Swim Ireland), Colm Burke, TD (Minister for Public Health and Wellbeing) and Kristene Meenaghan (Cork Sports Partnerships). Image: Colm Lougheed
The Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Colm Burke TD, has announced the successful applicants for a €500,000 funding scheme aimed at enhancing outdoor swimming facilities across Ireland.
This initiative, aligned with the Healthy Ireland objective to enable more people to be more active, responds to the growing popularity of outdoor swimming by improving facilities and equipment at designated locations nationwide. Applications were received from Local Sports Partnerships in nearly every county, resulting in awards of up to €30,000 being granted to 51 projects.
Administered by Sport Ireland on behalf of the Department of Health, the funding will be used to improve access, enhance changing facilities, and purchase equipment to assist people with disabilities.
Minister Burke emphasised the benefits of outdoor swimming for physical and mental health, stating:
“The funding will improve access and facilities at swimming spots nationwide, encouraging more people to engage in an activity that promotes improved health and wellbeing.”
He expressed gratitude to outdoor swimming groups, Local Sports Partnerships, and local authorities for their contributions to the initiative and looked forward to the commencement of the projects in the coming weeks.
Una May, CEO of Sport Ireland, highlighted the equitable nature of open water swimming, saying:
“This funding will make outdoor swimming more accessible to more people, enhancing the usability of our many wonderful swimming spots.”
Sarah Keane, CEO of Swim Ireland, praised the initiative, noting the country’s diverse range of swimming locations and the opportunity to grow participation in outdoor swimming.
The disbursement of this funding aligns with the vision of an active Ireland, where everyone can enjoy the lifelong benefits of sport and physical activity. Below is a table of the funding recipients and their respective projects.
| Location | Funding Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Carlow – Bagenalstown Boat Slip and Barrow Path | Improved access handrails and swimming ladders at Bagenalstown Boat Slip | €26,000 |
| Cavan – Various lakesides | Changing and showering facilities, accessibility mats, access hand rails, demarcation buoys | €30,000 |
| Cork – Garretstown, Garrylucas, Inchydoney | Improved pedestrian and disability access to all three swimming sites | €15,000 |
| Donegal – Various locations | Precast swim shelters with changing facilities across all locations | €24,000 |
| Dublin City – Dollymount Strand | Access railings, shower facilities, demarcation buoys | €13,000 |
| Dun Laoghaire Rathdown – Forty Foot, Sandycove | Repairs and upgrades to changing and showering facilities | €20,000 |
| Fingal – Balbriggan Beach | Shelter facilities | €25,000 |
| Galway City – Ladies Beach | Upgrades to access points to facilitate universal access to swimming area | €15,000 |
| Galway County – Various locations | Access ladders, changing facilities | €28,000 |
| Laois – Ballinaskill Outdoor Pool | Changing facilities | €7,000 |
| Leitrim – Gulladoo Lake, Carrigallen | Installation of storage and changing facilities | €28,000 |
| Limerick – Various riverside locations | Access handrails, portable changing units, access mats, towfloats, amphibious wheelchairs | €21,000 |
| Longford – Fitzpatrick’s Shore, Lough Gowna | Changing facilities, access gantry and pontoon | €28,000 |
| Louth – Various beaches | Amphibious wheelchairs at each location | €10,000 |
| Mayo – Various beaches | Swimming shelters at each location | €24,000 |
| Meath – Laytown Beach | Beach shelters and changing facilities | €23,000 |
| Monaghan – Emy Lough | Changing facilities | €15,000 |
| Offaly – Banagher Riverside | Ramp and access rails | €15,000 |
| Roscommon – Lough Errit Waterway | Shelter, demarcation buoys, tow floats, booms | €16,500 |
| Sligo – Curry Outdoor Pool | Accessible shower, toilet, improved pool access, handrails | €25,000 |
| Tipperary – Dromineer Bay | Rescue and emergency equipment, demarcation buoys, safety information | €5,500 |
| Waterford – Clonea Beach, Dungarvan | Changing shelters, showers, access handrails | €26,000 |
| Westmeath – Lough Owel | Changing shelters and facilities | €20,000 |
| Wexford – Various beaches | Changing shelters | €25,000 |
| Wicklow – Wicklow Harbour, Greystones South Beach | Access ladders, handrails, demarcation buoys, beach access matting | €15,000 |
| Total | €500,000 |