Hundreds protest proposed water sports facility at Ardmore beach

Ardmore residents protest against new water sports facility which would provide hot showers, changing rooms, and modern toilet facilities

Over 200 locals in Ardmore staged a protest at the village’s beachfront on Monday night against a proposed water sports facility for the location.

The €1.2m sprots facility is one of 22 earmarked for the resorts around the country as part of a €19m initiative promoted by Fáilte Ireland and implemented by local authorities.

The scheme, in recognition of a growing trend towards year-round water activities, aims to promote pursuits such as kayaking, paddle boarding, and sea swimming.

The Ardmore installation — which would provide hot showers, changing rooms, and modern toilet facilities — is part of a Town Centre First regeneration programme.

Carrying placards, the protesters chanted "Ardmore says no" and “our village, our choice” as they walked a section of the beach before re-amassing at the beachside carpark.

Sewage problems

Locals claim the installation will destroy the carpark seafront and obliterate a locale where people have traditionally parked up to look out to sea and to interact socially.

One resident, asking for anonymity, said denying that vista could adversely affect mental health amongst fragile members of the community.

Other arguments pertain to the area being prone to flooding and having historic sewerage problems.

Individual protesters who addressed the gathering accused the council of “not listening” to their voices.

Many argued that the money would be better spent on requirements such as school transport and, particularly, social and affordable housing.

Local woman Carole Troy said the protest was “not just about the sandcastle and the water activity centre”, but also about housing and multiple issues relating to the village’s future. 

She said she finds it “tragic” that her children seem to have no future in Ardmore.

Ms Troy said the council had sidelined local feelings in regard to the village’s needs. Residents are sick and tired of it, she said, and would no longer allow their village to be destroyed by "developers and bureaucracy".

A further protest was agreed for the following morning, when construction is due to begin.