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Displaying items by tag: Dun Laoghaire Baths

A public meeting to demand a public pool and improved accessibility at the newly reopened Dun Laoghaire Baths will take place this Thursday 23 February from 7pm at the National Maritime Museum.

It follows complaints highlighted last month over access issues at the multi-million-euro amenity, which opened in December after years of stop-start redevelopment works.

Access to the amphitheatre level of the baths is currently only by steps or by temporary ramps, which have been described as “wall-like” by advocacy group Access for All.

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has promised upgrades to accessibility in the second phase of development, but there is as yet no confirmed timeframe for these works.

There is also no ETA for the inclusion of a public seawater pool at the site, with the local authority suggesting it could be part of “a future phase of development”.

Wheelchair users have highlighted accessibility issues at the newly reopened Dun Laoghaire Baths — with the current temporary ramps deemed as too steep.

As The Journal reports, one accessibility advocate described the ramps to the lower-level amphitheatre as “disgraceful”.

“They knew very well that they were building these, as I like to call them, wall-like ramps, because you may as well build walls, they are so steep,” Sean O’Kelly of Access for All said.

A spokesperson for Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council acknowledged that the site “isn’t currently as accessible for all as we would like it to be” and promised that upgrades would come in the second phase.

However, the tendering process for this phase has yet to be opened. The local authority says it expects to have contractors on site later this year — a situation Access For All decries as “not good enough”.

The Journal has more on the story HERE.

An open seawater pool could be part of a future phase of development at the reopened Dun Laoghaire Baths.

That’s according to Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council upon the official reopening of the amenity on Tuesday (13 December).

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the project has been a long time coming, with works beginning on the site in June 2018 and originally set to be completed a year ago before “COVID and other site factors” saw the final stages pushed back.

The multi-million-euro project included refurbishment of the existing Baths Pavilion, constructing a new jetty to give easy access to the water for swimming and the creation of a new route between Newtownsmith and the East Pier.

It also features a simple changing shelter, a refurbished Edwardian gazebo in the beach garden and a statue of Roger Casement that was installed in September last year.

The multi-million-euro project included refurbishment of the existing Baths Pavilion, constructing a new jetty to give easy access to the water for swimming and the creation of a new route between Newtownsmith and the East PierThe multi-million-euro project included refurbishment of the existing Baths Pavilion, constructing a new jetty to give easy access to the water for swimming and the creation of a new route between Newtownsmith and the East Pier Photo: Afloat

The former pavilion building has also been substantially refurbished to provide studio space for artists, as well as a gallery and a café with a “spectacular” view of Scotsman’s Bay and a terrace which will link across to the People’s Park as well as down to the sea.

The pavilion building and café will open in the New Year, the council says..

There are also toilet facilities, including a “changing places” bathroom for people with additional needs.

On Tuesday, the local community joined An Cathaoirleach, Cllr Mary Hanafin and DLRCoCo chief executive Frank Curran at the official ceremony to celebrate the baths’ reopening.

“The re-opening of the Dún Laoghaire Baths is a significant milestone for the Council and the people of the town. This well-known landmark has been an important part of the history and heritage of families all over the county,” Cllr Hanafin said.

“Once again, we can welcome visitors to this popular bathing area. This beautiful restoration will facilitate swimming, water sports, and a great concert area.”

The Dun Laoghaire Baths with the Roger Casement statue at the end of the new pierThe refurbished Dun Laoghaire Baths with the Roger Casement statue at the end of the new pier Photo: Afloat

Curran added: “The project was guided by our policy of improving public realm for our communities and linking the sea front with the town centre. It complements and is linked to the People’s Park, the Lexicon library and The Metals.

“We look forward to welcoming local residents and visitors to the newly restored landmark. Once again, the iconic Dún Laoghaire Baths is back at the heart of it all, in this unique location.”

The local authority says there are plans for a new walkway between Dún Laoghaire’s East Pier and the Dún Laoghaire Baths in 2023.

And while the original plans did not include a swimming pool, as was the main purpose of the original Victorian-era baths, it says “a future phase of development” on the site can include an open seawater pool, subject to approval.

During the construction, a rectangular concrete void was left below the surface of the amphitheatre area, with a concrete “lid” covering it, allowing for the inclusion of a tidal pool, it adds.

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The Dun Laoghaire Baths will finally reopen this month, four-and-a-half years after redevelopment works began, with the local authority sending out invitations to the official opening on Tuesday 13 December.

The project has been a long time coming, with works originally set to be completed a year ago, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

However “COVID and other site factors” set back these final works and pushed its opening date, initially to spring this year before it was again delayed to August and then October.

The multi-million-euro project included refurbishment of the existing Baths Pavilion, constructing a new jetty to give easy access to the water for swimming and the creation of a new route between Newtownsmith and the East Pier. It also features a statue of Roger Casement that was installed in September last year.

Locals have been eagerly awaiting the opening date since works began on the site in June 2018.

And while the ‘baths’ in the title are in name only, in reference to its past as a bathing place from the Victorian era till the late 1990s, it’s hoped to provide a different kind of amenity on the waterfront — particularly when the pavilion café opens next spring.

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Taking advantage of the weekend's fine weather and sea conditions, Dublin Bay kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders were early arrivals at the still under refurbishment Dun Laoghaire Baths.

Perhaps an indication of the increasing demand for this type of marine leisure facility, it is not for the first time that boaters and watersports enthusiasts have made landfall at the – still to be officially opened – new jetty and pier.

Work began at the site in June 2018 after lying derelict for over 30 years. While the €13.5m project was originally scheduled to reopen in 2020 delays due to COVID and site issues are the reason Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council now give 'Summer 2022' as the completion date for the impressive makeover.

Work has included new sea walls, works to the Pavilion building and an extension of the walkway at nearby Newtownsmith.

Currently works on the new jetty are nearing completion.

The project has created a new viewing point with stunning vistas across Scotsman’s Bay to Sandycove Harbour. The new long bench on the jetty has been also been completed which is inspired by the sitting bench where swimmers relax overlooking Sandycove Harbour. The new Casement Memorial Sculpture by Mark Richards is complete and is dramatically sited on a plinth at the end of the jetty.

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Six hundred tones of Cornish granite was deposited at the Dun Laoghaire Baths on Saturday (September 25th 2021) as part of additional rock armour protection measures for the Dublin Bay site heavily exposed to easterly gales.

The load was deposited in ideal conditions during one high tide at lunchtime using a multi-purpose flat top pontoon barge. 

The barge, named Mormaen 15, arrived from Falmouth in the UK and skilfully placed the massive rocks using a large long-reach onboard excavator between the new quay wall and the town's East Pier.

The rock will protect the new works, including the recently installed Roger Casement statue, a centrepiece of the much anticipated €13.5m project.

The multi-role marine platform is positioned into place at Dun Laoghaire Baths by tugs Sarah Grey and AMS Retriever(Above and below) The multi-role marine platform is positioned into place at Dun Laoghaire Baths by tugs Sarah Grey and AMS Retriever

Mormaen 15

Manoeuvring the 60-metre x 22-metre barge into position at Scotsman's Bay involved using the UK flagged towing tug Sara Grey assisted by AMS Retriever.

The Dublin Port Pilot boat Camac was also in attendance as the pictures above show.

The refurbishment has so far taken over three years to date and been hit by a number of setbacks, not least the COVID-19 pandemic. Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council had estimated a December 2021 completion date but this has recently been updated to "late Spring 2022".

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Completion of the refurbished Dun Laoghaire Baths that was expected to be completed in December 2021 will not now be ready until the first quarter of next year, say Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

"Due to Covid and other site factors, the project is likely to be delivered in late Spring 2022", the Council said in a statement yesterday (13th September) announcing the arrival of the Roger Casement sculpture to the Dublin Bay site.

As Afloat noted at the weekend the project is now ongoing for three years and three months

When complete the Council says the project will provide for the continuing public use of the area.

The current projected cost is €13.5m which includes the refurbishment of the existing Baths Pavilion, constructing a new jetty to give easy access to the water for swimming and the creation of a new route between Newtownsmith and the East Pier.

This walkway will be at a level that will create a safe and secure walk offering panoramic views over Scotsman’s Bay. The form of this walk will reflect the original rocky shoreline and the historic alignment of the old gun battery that was originally located on this site. The walkway will incorporate sitting and viewing points and the land adjoining this walk will be re-graded to create sloping grassed areas.

The scheme also includes the refurbishment of the historic small gazebo situated along this route.

The former Pavilion building has been substantially refurbished to provide studio space for artists and to provide gallery and café facilities overlooking Scotsman’s Bay.

The original Baths entrance along Windsor Terrace is being restored to provide access to the building while an outdoor ‘café terrace’ linked to the new café will provide an attractive sitting area for viewing, eating and relaxing.

The Pavilion will also provide new public toilets, Changing Places facility and will be accessible for wheelchair users.

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Works at the Dun Laoghaire Baths continue, and though many are asking when will it ever be completed (now some three years and three months duration), there is evidence of progress at the site in the latest shoreward taken photos of the building works.

The €9 million redevelopments of the old Baths, derelict for over 30 years, began in June 2018. 

When complete, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council says, it will provide for the continuing public use of the area located at the East Pier at Dun Laoghaire Harbour. 

Currently, the construction team are taking advantage of spring tides to position rock armour at low water.

While significant progress has been made, constructing the works has been slower than anticipated. The latest in revised completion dates given by the council is in three months, December 2021, according to the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown website. Still, given the pace of things, that date may also be an ambitious one.

As photos above and below show, works include the retention and securing of the existing Baths Pavilion and removing dilapidated structures to the rear of the Pavilion to create a new route between Newtownsmith and the East Pier.

This walkway is at a level that puts a safe and secure walk offering panoramic views over Scotsman’s Bay.

The council says that the form of this walk will reflect the original rocky shoreline and the historic alignment of the old gun battery that was originally located on this site.

Dun Laoghaire Baths  - The old Pavilion building has been stabilised enclosed and is now fully weatheredDun Laoghaire Baths - The old Pavilion building has been stabilised, enclosed and is now fully weathered.

The walkway will incorporate sitting and viewing points, and the land adjoining this walk will be re-graded to create sloping grassed areas. 

The existing Baths Pavilion, together with a smaller outbuilding, has been retained, weathered and secured (for strong winds and seas that batter the site each winter). In contrast, the remaining dilapidated outbuildings to the rear and side of the Pavilion have been removed.

The plan is out the Pavilion to accommodate studio space for artists and provide gallery and café facilities.

The DLR Arts Department will manage the studios. The original Baths entrance along Windsor Terrace will be restored to provide access.

Dun Laoghaire Baths The old Pavilion building has been stabilised enclosed and is now fully weathered.The new Casement Memorial Sculpture by the sculptor Mark Richards is complete and will be dramatically sited on a plinth at the end of the jetty (with the orange flag above)

An outdoor ‘café terrace’ linked to the new café will provide an attractive sitting area for viewing, eating and relaxing.

It is also proposed to create new public toilets facilities at street level, which will also be accessible for wheelchair users. Footpaths along Windsor Terrace will be upgraded, and new street trees planted.

The small gazebo situated along the new route from Pier to Newtownsmith has been refurbishedThe small gazebo situated along the new route from Pier to Newtownsmith has been refurbished.

The building project is divided into several work zones.

These zones include work to the new jetty, the new sea walls, the Pavilion, and the works to tie into the existing walkway at Newtownsmith. Currently, works on the new jetty are nearing completion. This has created a new viewing point with stunning vistas across Scotsman’s Bay to Sandycove Harbour.

The new long bench on the jetty has also been completed, inspired by the sitting bench where swimmers relax overlooking Sandycove Harbour.

The new Casement Memorial Sculpture by Mark Richards is complete and will be dramatically sited on a plinth at the end of the jetty

The construction of massive new sea walls supporting the new walkway at the back of the pavilion is also nearing completion.

This has allowed the artists’ studios at the lower level and café at the upper level to be progressed with the installation of electrical and mechanical services.

The December completion date is subject to the ongoing impact of the site closure caused by the Covid pandemic.

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Despite the stop-start nature of construction due to COVID-19 restrictions, shoreward photography taken at the weekend of the new Dun Laoghaire Baths shows that significant progress has been made in all areas of the flagship project for Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

Overall progress is slower than anticipated meaning the project that began three years ago will not now likely be completed until Summer 2022, two years later than planned.

New windows are in place in the refurbished Pavillion buildingNew windows are now in place in the refurbished Pavillion building

The scheme to revive the old baths that lay derelict for over 30 years is divided into several work zones.

As our photos show, these zones include work to the new jetty, works to the new sea walls, works to the Pavilion and works to tie into the existing walkway at Newtownsmith.

The new sea walls are substantial The new sea walls are substantial

Currently works to the new jetty are nearing completion as Afloat's photos taken from the sea side reveal with a plinth in place ready for the statue of Roger Casement to arrive on site

Rock armour to the west of the siteRock armour to the west of the site 

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Getting into situations over his head rarely fazed Sir Roger Casement, so a new Dublin Bay seafront home should present no difficulties for the statue of the Sandycove man at the refurbished Dun Laoghaire Baths site.

Saturday's north-easterly gale flooded the town's East pier and also the nearby Dart railway line between Dun Laoghaire and Booterstown as big seas rolled into the bay.

If anyone was in any doubt what the new baths was going to have to withstand, Saturday's wintry waves illustrated the point perfectly.

The plan is for the late Knight of the British Empire, hanged for his role in the 1916 Easter Rising, to be commemorated on a plinth at the end of a short new pier being built as part of the baths refurbishment project.  

The new Roger Casement statue destined for a plinth at the end of the swim jetty at Dun Laoghaire BathsThe new Roger Casement statue destined for a plinth (see below) at the end of the swim jetty at Dun Laoghaire Baths

It appears, as in life, Sir Roger (who was stripped of his title before execution) will have a lot to stand up to as the plinth itself became completely covered by waves on Saturday, January 30 as the photo sequence shows below.

Big waves at Dun Laoghaire Baths on Dublin BayThe new plinth for the Sir Roger Casement statue at Dun Laoghaire and the big Dublin Bay waves (below) crashing over it on Saturday Photos: Afloat

Waves at Dun Laoghaire Baths on Dublin Bay

Waves at Dun Laoghaire Baths on Dublin Bay

Waves at Dun Laoghaire Baths on Dublin Bay

Waves at Dun Laoghaire Baths on Dublin Bay

Waves at Dun Laoghaire Baths on Dublin Bay

Waves at Dun Laoghaire Baths on Dublin Bay

The council say the Casement figure by artist Mark Richards is cast in bronze, which will 'mature and reflect the climatic conditions of the site as the year's pass'.

As regular Afloat readers will know, the statue is to be erected along the pierhead walkway connecting the parkland areas at Newtownsmith with the beach area at Queen’s Road.

The redevelopment of Dún Laoghaire’s baths, which have been closed since 1997, is nearing completion even though construction has stopped during the COVID-19 emergency.

The €2.75 million makeovers will see the derelict pool being replaced by artists’ studios and a gallery café as well as a pier to swim from and a landing jetty for small boats and kayaks.

Casement was born to an Anglo-Irish family in nearby Sandycove in 1864 and served as a British diplomat before helping to form the Irish Volunteers.

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Howth Yacht Club information

Howth Yacht Club is the largest members sailing club in Ireland, with over 1,700 members. The club welcomes inquiries about membership - see top of this page for contact details.

Howth Yacht Club (HYC) is 125 years old. It operates from its award-winning building overlooking Howth Harbour that houses office, bar, dining, and changing facilities. Apart from the Clubhouse, HYC has a 250-berth marina, two cranes and a boat storage area. In addition. its moorings in the harbour are serviced by launch.

The Club employs up to 31 staff during the summer and is the largest employer in Howth village and has a turnover of €2.2m.

HYC normally provides an annual programme of club racing on a year-round basis as well as hosting a full calendar of International, National and Regional competitive events. It operates a fleet of two large committee boats, 9 RIBs, 5 J80 Sportboats, a J24 and a variety of sailing dinghies that are available for members and training. The Club is also growing its commercial activities afloat using its QUEST sail and power boat training operation while ashore it hosts a wide range of functions each year, including conferences, weddings, parties and the like.

Howth Yacht Club originated as Howth Sailing Club in 1895. In 1968 Howth Sailing Club combined with Howth Motor Yacht Club, which had operated from the West Pier since 1935, to form Howth Yacht Club. The new clubhouse was opened in 1987 with further extensions carried out and more planned for the future including dredging and expanded marina facilities.

HYC caters for sailors of all ages and run sailing courses throughout the year as part of being an Irish Sailing accredited training facility with its own sailing school.

The club has a fully serviced marina with berthing for 250 yachts and HYC is delighted to be able to welcome visitors to this famous and scenic area of Dublin.

New applications for membership are always welcome

Howth Yacht Club FAQs

Howth Yacht Club is one of the most storied in Ireland — celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2020 — and has an active club sailing and racing scene to rival those of the Dun Laoghaire Waterfront Clubs on the other side of Dublin Bay.

Howth Yacht Club is based at the harbour of Howth, a suburban coastal village in north Co Dublin on the northern side of the Howth Head peninsula. The village is around 13km east-north-east of Dublin city centre and has a population of some 8,200.

Howth Yacht Club was founded as Howth Sailing Club in 1895. Howth Sailing Club later combined with Howth Motor Yacht Club, which had operated from the village’s West Pier since 1935, to form Howth Yacht Club.

The club organises and runs sailing events and courses for members and visitors all throughout the year and has very active keelboat and dinghy racing fleets. In addition, Howth Yacht Club prides itself as being a world-class international sailing event venue and hosts many National, European and World Championships as part of its busy annual sailing schedule.

As of November 2020, the Commodore of the Royal St George Yacht Club is Ian Byrne, with Paddy Judge as Vice-Commodore (Clubhouse and Administration). The club has two Rear-Commodores, Neil Murphy for Sailing and Sara Lacy for Junior Sailing, Training & Development.

Howth Yacht Club says it has one of the largest sailing memberships in Ireland and the UK; an exact number could not be confirmed as of November 2020.

Howth Yacht Club’s burgee is a vertical-banded pennant of red, white and red with a red anchor at its centre. The club’s ensign has a blue-grey field with the Irish tricolour in its top left corner and red anchor towards the bottom right corner.

The club organises and runs sailing events and courses for members and visitors all throughout the year and has very active keelboat and dinghy racing fleets. In addition, Howth Yacht Club prides itself as being a world-class international sailing event venue and hosts many National, European and World Championships as part of its busy annual sailing schedule.

Yes, Howth Yacht Club has an active junior section.

Yes, Howth Yacht Club hosts sailing and powerboat training for adults, juniors and corporate sailing under the Quest Howth brand.

Among its active keelboat and dinghy fleets, Howth Yacht Club is famous for being the home of the world’s oldest one-design racing keelboat class, the Howth Seventeen Footer. This still-thriving class of boat was designed by Walter Herbert Boyd in 1897 to be sailed in the local waters off Howth. The original five ‘gaff-rigged topsail’ boats that came to the harbour in the spring of 1898 are still raced hard from April until November every year along with the other 13 historical boats of this class.

Yes, Howth Yacht Club has a fleet of five J80 keelboats for charter by members for training, racing, organised events and day sailing.

The current modern clubhouse was the product of a design competition that was run in conjunction with the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland in 1983. The winning design by architects Vincent Fitzgerald and Reg Chandler was built and completed in March 1987. Further extensions have since been made to the building, grounds and its own secure 250-berth marina.

Yes, the Howth Yacht Club clubhouse offers a full bar and lounge, snug bar and coffee bar as well as a 180-seat dining room. Currently, the bar is closed due to Covid-19 restrictions. Catering remains available on weekends, take-home and delivery menus for Saturday night tapas and Sunday lunch.

The Howth Yacht Club office is open weekdays from 9am to 5pm. Contact the club for current restaurant opening hours at [email protected] or phone 01 832 0606.

Yes — when hosting sailing events, club racing, coaching and sailing courses, entertaining guests and running evening entertainment, tuition and talks, the club caters for all sorts of corporate, family and social occasions with a wide range of meeting, event and function rooms. For enquiries contact [email protected] or phone 01 832 2141.

Howth Yacht Club has various categories of membership, each affording the opportunity to avail of all the facilities at one of Ireland’s finest sailing clubs.

No — members can join active crews taking part in club keelboat and open sailing events, not to mention Pay & Sail J80 racing, charter sailing and more.

Fees range from €190 to €885 for ordinary members.
Memberships are renewed annually.

©Afloat 2020