Contracts signed for Baths redevelopment

WORK on the long-awaited redevelopment of Dún Laoghaire’s derelict Victorian Baths is due to commence this summer, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council has confirmed.

The dilapidated salt water pools will be filled in to provide a shallow access swimming area to the sea.

A new jetty will also be constructed to provide better access to the water for swimmers and to provide a landing point for kayaks and canoes. 

A new cafe and terrace, artists’ studios and gallery will be developed at the Edwardian Baths Pavilion.

However, the planned programme of works that was initially expected to cost €2.5 million, is expected to substantially higher given additional engineering works required to secure the road and retaining walls between the DART line and the site itself.

Senator Victor Boyhan has been campaigning for the rejuvenation of Dun Laoghaire seafront for many years.

He said he was “excited” about the plans and very pleased that work on the site would finally get underway in the coming months.

“When the redevelopment of the baths site is complete, the pavilion and jetty will be a great amenity not only for locals but indeed for thousands of visitors from outside the area.”

“I am particularly pleased that the site will remain in public ownership and provide additional amenities on the seafront.” 

Funding for the Dun Laoghaire Baths site project will come from the council’s Capital Fund and from EU Funds.

The redevelopment of the Baths site has been confirmed by Sean Barrett TD.

Deputy Barrett said that with another summer fast approaching and no sign of any work commencing on the site, he had written to the Chief Executive of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council to establish the status of the project.

He was given an update from the council that said it expected that contracts for the proposed works at Dún Laoghaire Baths will be signed in April 2018 and that works will begin soon after.

“It is anticipated that the project will be open in the first quarter of 2020,” the council replied to Deputy Barrett.

 “The new Dún Laoghaire Baths will be a long-term amenity, both for the area and for the county and will link the town of Dún Laoghaire to its seafront.”

The council confirmed that the existing Baths Pavilion will be retained and fitted out to provide a new public café and art gallery space.

The new café will be linked to an outdoor terrace with views over Scotsman's Bay.

The lower levels of the Pavilion will accommodate studio workspaces for artists and new life guard facilities.

“The original Baths entrance along Windsor Terrace will be restored to provide access to the café while new public toilet facilities at street level will be fully accessible for the mobility impaired,” the council added.

“A new jetty and changing areas will provide access to the water's edge for swimmers and landing points for kayaks and canoes.

According to the ‘Abandoned Ireland’ website page, the public swimming baths at Dun Laoghaire originally date from the 1790s but were removed in 1836 when the railway line was built.

In 1843 the new Royal Victorian Baths were built beside Scotman’s Bay.  They were extremely popular and Dun Laoghaire became of the best and most popular places in Ireland to bathe.

In 1910 the baths were completely rebuilt by Kingstown Town Council.

However, In 1997 the outdoor baths were closed when a proposal was made to develop a huge water complex on the site.

This proposal did not come to fruition, due in part to the huge public outcry, but the baths remained closed.