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 moving towards construction, marking a major milestone for the town and the wider North Fingal area.
The proposed development will deliver a single-storey public swimming pool facility, centred around a 25-metre, six-lane pool with a spectator viewing gallery.
Alongside the main pool, the facility will include village-style, group and accessible changing areas, 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.
Reflecting Fingal County Council’s sustainability ambitions, photovoltaic (PV) panels will be installed at roof level to support more 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.”
Importantly, the proposal has been shaped to complement existing provision rather than compete with it, providing a measured response to a clearly 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 now proposed that the design is refined to include a variable pool depth ranging from 1.10 metres to 1.80 metres. This will enable the facility to support a broader mix of users and activities, from learn-to-swim provision and family use to training and recreational swimming.
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 on this site 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, reinforcing wider ambitions around health, wellbeing and active communities.