Staycations 2025: Dive into the great outdoors
Ireland is seeing a surge in interest in outdoor swimming pools, so expect to see more of them popping up nationwide in the coming years.
We’ve seen a massive uptick in outdoor swimming in the last few years, mainly in the seas and lakes around Ireland. But there are also a handful of outdoor pools open to the public, offering refreshing dips when the weather heats up.
Or perhaps something a little more mystical in the more common Irish mizzle. It’s a growing trend and here’s to more lidos popping up on these shores in the coming years.
Ballinakill outdoor pool near Heywood Gardens and woodlands in County Laois is open from June to September every summer. Extensive renovations were carried out on the 29 metre pool in 2019, which also features a 6.5 metre toddler pool and an air to water heating system, making it much more user friendly on chillier summer days.
A boon among locals, there is generally a good mix of people using the facility and it is also disability friendly. While there is no shop on site, snacks and coffees can be bought nearby. Admission is affordable, with children costing €3 and adults €5, and a seasonal membership is available. With amenities like changing rooms and a sunbathing area, it's a delightful spot for a day out.
Drumshanbo heated outdoor pool is in a lovely setting at Acres Lake in Leitrim and is a very well maintained 25 metre facility. With a shallow and deep end, individual changing rooms and showers, as well as tennis courts and a small playground, there really is a lot for children and adults to do here.
According to Jennifer Scott, operations manager of Aura Leitrim Leisure Centre, who run the facility: “Participation rates in swimming including outdoor swimming have been rising steadily over the last few years so we anticipate that there will be significant demand from people to use the pool. Our experience to date also tells us that no matter what the weather, people will be flocking to the amenity. The fact that the pool is heated is a real bonus on those cooler summer days.”
Look out for other local attractions like the Shannon Blueway trail and Ireland’s first floating boardwalk at Acres Lake while there. Cost is €4.50 for kids and €5.50 for adults.
Opening in mid-June, Bunclody outdoor pool in County Wexford is a 25 metre heated lido that opens for 10 weeks each summer. Community owned, generations of children from the wider Bunclody area have learned to swim, qualified as lifeguards and indeed worked as lifeguards at the pool. They offer outdoor lessons, sensory hour and aqua aerobics.
Other facilities include tennis courts, a small bike track, and a children's playground, all maintained by the local community group. Certified lifeguards are on duty and the pool welcomes visitors of all ages. This is an ideal destination for families during the warmer months. Work on the new expansion of Castlerea Swimming Pool is nearing completion, and the pool is set to reopen early for summer season 2025. The council provided nearly €200,000 for improvement works on the toddler pool and splash area recently.
It currently features a 33-metre heated pool with depths ranging from 3ft to 8.5ft, alongside a smaller heated toddler pool. The facility also offers individual changing cubicles, showers, secure lockers, and plenty of parking.
The Tropicana outdoor heated fun pool in Newcastle, County Down, is a great summer destination right next to the sea. Situated along the promenade with the stunning Mourne Mountains as a backdrop, the pool is open to swimmers of all ages.
Featuring a large, heated swimming area and a dedicated toddler pool, along with a "Nellie the Elephant" slide, kids can have hours of fun. For older kids and adults, there’s a twisting waterslide too. Open during July and August, check out Tropicanarama on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, featuring music and games.
Amenities include changing rooms, toilets, a children's play area and picnic spots. Adults cost £3.20, children £2.50, and free entry for those under four.
Located on the River Shannon, Banagher outdoor pool has County Offaly on one side and County Galway on the other. Owned and run by the local community, the pool is free to use with clear water to swim in as well as riverside picnic facilities for afterwards.
Upgrade works that are taking place will include wheelchair access, more seating, wider pontoons, and a kayak/paddleboard launch. The pool's riverside location really is a very picturesque setting for swimming and relaxation. Spanning 20 metres, the free tidal pool in Belmullet, County Mayo is accessible year-round, with lifeguards on duty during July and August. Go for an evening dip, while fixing your eyes on the magical views at Blacksod Bay. It’s as easy for kids to use as it is the more seasoned swimmer, and adults can take a refreshing dip after heating up in the wood fired sauna, located close by.
Probably more commonly known for its surfing, Bundoran in County Donegal boasts two outdoor sea water swimming pools, the Thrupenny Pool and the West End Pool (or Nun’s pool to locals). Both provide safe, enclosed swimming and the Nun’s pool will allow you swim lengths, while always being able to find your footing in this relatively shallow, L shaped pool. There are lots of lovely places close by for good coffee and a snack to warm up with afterwards.
Beautifully situated on a 150-acre estate in Connemara, Renvyle House Hotel’s outdoor swimming pool is open year-round, allowing swimmers take in panoramic Atlantic views as they paddle.
The pool is complemented by lots of other outdoor facilities, including hot tubs, tennis courts, and a private freshwater lake for boating and fishing. Dating back to 1883, this is an old-world hotel with modern facilities but with the added luxury of that outdoor swimming facility for those that hold this activity in high regard.
At Ballymaloe House Hotel, a small bathing area was built in the gardens in the 1950s and residents can now avail of this heated pool during the summer months. Featuring a large shallow end and a separate paddling pool, it’s ideal for children as well as adults. Always a gorgeous place to stay, outdoor swimming at Ballymaloe just elevates this hotel’s charm to new heights.
