Funding for 51 projects to enhance outdoor swimming facilities announced
Colm Burke the Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy has announced the successful applicants for the €.5m funding schemes. Outdoor swiming locations accross 25 Local authority areas will benefit from this investment.
In making this announcement the minister commented:
In line with the Healthy Ireland principles, the funding we’re allocating today will improve the access and facilities at swimming spots nationwide, encouraging more people to engage in an activity that promotes improved health and wellbeing.
Outdoor Swimming has greatly increased in popularity in recent years particularly since COVID. It benefits all the health and wellbeing of all generations in a socially connected setting. The applicatiosn were submitted by Local Sports Partnerships , Swim Ireland assisted with shortlisting. The funding will be adminstered on behalf of the Department of Health by Sport Ireland. The full text of the annoucment can be found here
The approved applications are as follows:
| Location | Funding purpose | Amount |
| Carlow – Bagenalstown Boat Slip and Barrow Path | Improved access handrails and swimming ladders at Bagenalstown Boat Slip | €26,000 |
| Cavan – Lakesides at Arvagh (south west), Virginia (south), Killashandra (west) and Barnagrow (east) | Changing and showering facilities, accessibility mats, access hand rails, demarcation buoys | €30,000 |
| Cork – Garretstown, Garrylucas and Inchydoney beaches | Improved pedestrian and disability access to all three swimming sites | €15,000 |
| Donegal –Buncrana (Culdaff, Ned’s Point), Dunfanaghy, Carrickfin beach, Mountcharles pier, Killybegs, Rossnowlagh, Bundoran outdoor pool | 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 – Loughrea, Portumna, Kinvara, Gurteen Bay; Traught Beach Kinvara | 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 – Riverside at Glin, Loughill, Kilteery, Curragower, Castleconnell, Limerick City | 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 – Clogherhead, Port, Templeton beaches | Amphibious wheelchairs at each location | €10,000 |
| Mayo – Ross and Kilcummin beaches at Killala; Eachleaim beach, Belmullet | 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 – Access points to Clonea beach, Dungarvan | Changing shelters, showers, access handrails | €26,000 |
| Westmeath – Diving board area at Lough Owel | Changing shelters and facilities | €20,000 |
| Wexford – Whitegap beach, Rosslare beach | Changing shelters | €25,000 |
| Wicklow – Wicklow Harbour, Greystones south beach | Access ladders, handrails, demarcation buoys, beach access matting | €15,000 |
| Total | €500,000 |