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Public Consultation On Dun Laoghaire Baths Opens Today

20th April 2015
Public Consultation On Dun Laoghaire Baths Opens Today

#DunLaoghaire - The public consultation on the proposed redevelopment of the old Victorian baths in Dun Laoghaire opened today (Monday 20 April).

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, last month the €2.5 million project was given the green light by the Department of the Environment.

The revised plans will see the baths – last used 20 years ago as the Rainbow Rapids – developed into artists' studios with a gallery and café space.

Among other changes, the old saltwater pool space will be filled in to create a green space between the People's Park and the East Pier.

The public consultation is open for submissions till 5 June 2015. Full details of the plans and all relevant consultation documents are available HERE.

The local 'Save our Seafront' campaign organisation has arranged a public meeting to discusss the new plans for the baths site and the nearby harbour on Thursday, April 30th at 7.30pm in the Kingston hotel.

MacDara Conroy

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MacDara Conroy

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MacDara Conroy is a contributor covering all things on the water, from boating and wildlife to science and business

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Dun Laoghaire Baths Renovation

Afloat has been reporting on the new plans for the publically owned Dun Laoghaire Baths site located at the back of the East Pier since 2011 when plans for its development first went on display by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. 

Foreshore consent was applied for in 2013.

Last used 30 years ago as the 'Rainbow Rapids' before falling into dereliction – the new site does not include a public pool.

The refurbished Dun Laoghaire Baths include the existing Baths Pavilion for use as artist workspaces, a gallery café and for the provision of public toilet facilities. 

Work finally got underway at Dún Laoghaire on the €9 million redevelopments of the old Dún Laoghaire Baths site in June 2018 under a contract with SIAC-Mantovani.

The works have removed dilapidated structures to the rear of the Pavilion to permit the creation of a new route and landscaping that will connect the walkway at Newtownsmith to both the East Pier and the Peoples Park. 

Original saltwater pools have been filled in and new enhanced facilities for swimming and greater access to the water’s edge by means of a short jetty have also been provided.

The works included the delivery of rock armour to protect the new buildings from storm damage especially during easterly gales. 

It hasn't all been plain sailing during the construction phase with plastic fibres used in construction washing into the sea in November 2018

Work continues on the project in Spring 2020 with the new pier structure clearly visible from the shoreline.

A plinth at the end of the pier will be used to mount a statue of Roger Casement, a former Sandycove resident and Irish nationalist.