Major Milestone Reached for Balbriggan Community Swimming Pool
Following planning approval at the Council meeting on 11 May 2026, Fingal County Council has confirmed that the long-awaited Balbriggan community swimming pool project is now progressing towards construction, marking a significant milestone for the town and the wider North Fingal region.
The proposed development consists of a single-storey public swimming pool facility featuring a 25-metre, six-lane pool and a spectator viewing gallery.
Supporting amenities will include village-style, group and accessible changing facilities, showers and toilets, a reception and waiting area, staff offices and welfare facilities, meeting rooms, storage areas, plant and chemical storage rooms, and buggy storage.
In line with Fingal County Council’s sustainability objectives, photovoltaic (PV) panels will be installed at roof level to support energy-efficient operation.
Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tom O’Leary, welcomed the progress:
“This is a very positive development for Balbriggan, Skerries, Lusk and beyond. The pool will provide a high-quality, accessible public facility for families, schools and swimmers of all ages, and represents an important addition to the social and recreational infrastructure of the area. It’s a great day for North Fingal, with an estimated investment of more than €11 million.”
Director of Services, David Storey, emphasised the significance of the project:
“This is a major step forward for Balbriggan and the wider North Fingal area. For a long time, there has been a clear need for a high-quality public swimming facility, and we are now moving closer to delivering that reality. This project is about increasing access, supporting active lifestyles, and providing a vital community resource that will benefit people of all ages for generations to come. It is a strong example of how targeted investment can make a real and lasting difference in people’s daily lives.”
The proposal has been deliberately designed to complement, rather than compete with, existing provision. It represents a targeted and proportionate response to an identified gap in public swimming facilities.
Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly, said:
“This project represents a strong and meaningful investment in community infrastructure. It is a particularly positive outcome following an extended period of design and planning, ensuring that a high-quality, fit-for-purpose swimming pool can be delivered to meet the needs of Balbriggan and the wider area.”
Following a public consultation process that demonstrated strong support for a local public swimming pool, it is proposed to refine the design by introducing a variable pool depth ranging from 1.10 metres to 1.80 metres. This will accommodate a broader range of users and activities, supporting inclusive and flexible use for learn-to-swim programmes, family swimming, training and recreation.
Swim Ireland Chief Executive Officer, Mary McMorrow, said:
“Swim Ireland warmly welcomes Fingal County Council’s decision to progress Fingal’s first public swimming pool in Balbriggan. It represents a positive step forward for the people of Fingal. This much-needed facility will increase opportunities to swim locally and support participation, health and wellbeing for people of all ages.”
The delivery of the swimming pool at this location aligns with key strategic frameworks, including the Castlelands Masterplan 2021, the Fingal Development Plan 2023–2029 and the Fingal County Council Local Sport and Physical Activity Plan 2024–2029, supporting wider objectives around health, wellbeing and active communities.
