New €10m public swimming pool to be built in Balbriggan

A new €10m public swimming pool is to be built in Balbriggan, Fingal County Council has announced.

Castlelands, one kilometre south of the town centre, has been chosen by the authority as the location of the six-lane 25 metre pool.

The project has now moved to preliminary design and planning stages. It is expected the project will be ready to go to planning by the end of this year and, subject to funding, construction could commence by the end of 2026.

The Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Brian McDonagh, said: “As a former lifeguard and swimming teacher I am aware of the importance of swimming pools so this is great news, not only for Balbriggan, but for everybody in North County Dublin who will benefit from having a swimming pool in their area. The provision of community infrastructure is a key priority for the Council and it is great to see progress being made on this particular project.” 

An integrated design team led by UK-based company ReCreation has developed preliminary plans. The new facility will incorporate a changing village, reception area with café and a viewing gallery. It will be located south of the area’s soon to be constructed Link Road, directly opposite the site of a proposed new school.

The provision of a public swimming pool was a key ask of the survey by Balbriggan.ie in 2019 aimed at shaping an order of priorities to transform the town. The findings subsequently shaped Fingal County Council’s ongoing Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme. In 2024, a study which reached out to local teens also highlighted the need for a public swimming pool in Balbriggan.

AnnMarie Farrelly, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, said: “Fingal County Council has long been aware of the need for a public swimming pool in Balbriggan. We will plan well to deliver a very significant facility for the people of the town and surrounding areas. This announcement is another significant milestone in our ambition to redevelop Balbriggan and represents further significant investment in the town and county by Fingal County Council.”

David Storey, Director of Environment, Climate Change. Active Travel and Sport at Fingal County Council, said: “We have done a lot of preparatory work to get us to this point. It makes perfect sense for any new swimming pool in Fingal to be located in Balbriggan, given its growing young population and the growth of nearby towns and villages like Skerries, Rush, Lusk, Naul and Balrothery.”

Dr David Begg, Chairperson of the Our Balbriggan Leadership Group, which oversees Fingal County Council’s Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme, warmly welcomed the announcement. He said the swimming pool would have a profound and positive social impact on Balbriggan. 

“This project is a symbol of the progress being made in Balbriggan - informed and shaped by the community -  and which will provide a well-designed public facility for people to not only enjoy, but feel proud of,” said Dr Begg.