Diageo announces free swimming lessons and sessions for D8 community

Diageo Ireland has confirmed that they will once again open up the swimming pool at St James’s Gate Health and Fitness Club in Dublin 8 to children in the local community this summer, an annual initiative aimed at enhancing community engagement and accessibility in Dublin 8.

Additionally, this summer for the first time, Diageo will offer free swimming lessons and sessions to hundreds of local children, partnering with several esteemed community organisations including the Liberties Community Project, Fatima Family Resource Centre, and Inchicore for All.

Running from July through August 2025, the programme is designed to make swimming more accessible and enjoyable for everyone in the community.

The sessions will take place from Monday to Friday throughout the summer and will include structured swim-ming lessons as well as free swimming sessions for community groups, all under the supervision of qualified lifeguards.

Jill McCann, Community Projects Manager at Diageo, stated, “We are so glad to be able to open our pool to children in the local community of Dublin 8 again this summer.

“This initiative, which began last year, is all about giving back to the community that we are a part of and providing opportunities for children and families to stay active and enjoy their summer.

“Through collaborations with local organisations, we aim to create an in-clusive environment where families can enjoy recreational activities without barriers.”

There are still some early morning mid-week slots available for Dublin 8 community groups.

Interested parties are encouraged to reach out promptly to secure their participation.

For further details or inquiries about available slots, please contact Jill McCann at jill.mccann@diageo.com.