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, 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 new facility will incorporate a changing village, reception area with café and a viewing gallery. 

It will be located south of the area’s Link Road, directly opposite the site of a proposed new school. 

An integrated design team led by UK-based company ReCreation has developed preliminary plans. 

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 €54-57million 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. 

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. 

“As we know, Balbriggan is home to one of the youngest, fastest growing and most diverse populations in Ireland.  

“There is an unmatched determination across the community of Balbriggan to build a bright future for the area and this initiative will assist in doing  just that. 

“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.” 

According to AnnMarie Farrelly, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, the long planned facility will prove hugely significant. 

“Fingal County Council has long been aware of the need for a public swimming pool in Balbriggan,” she said. 

“We will plan well to deliver a very significant facility for the people of the town and surrounding areas. 

“The announcement is another significant milestone in our ambition to redevelop Balbriggan and represents further significant investment in the town by Fingal County Council.” 

Dave Storey, Director Of Services for Environment, Climate Change, Active Travel and Sport at Fingal County Council, said people from Balbriggan and beyond would enjoy what he described as a ‘much needed’ facility. 

“Balbriggan has long been identified as a location much in need of an indoor swimming pool,” he said. 

“It makes perfect sense for any new swimming pool in Fingal to be located in Balbriggan, given its ever growing young population.”