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Dún Laoghaire Baths Works Continue on Dublin Bay

12th September 2018
Work at Dun Laoghaire baths site continues on Dublin Bay. Architects say it will not only provide a connection between the People's Park (immediately behind the building above), but will also link the town of Dún Laoghaire with its seafront. Overall, the project aims to breathe new life into the seafront Work at Dun Laoghaire baths site continues on Dublin Bay. Architects say it will not only provide a connection between the People's Park (immediately behind the building above), but will also link the town of Dún Laoghaire with its seafront. Overall, the project aims to breathe new life into the seafront Credit: Afloat.ie

Marine works continue at the new Dún Laoghaire Baths site, where the old baths buildings have now either been completely demolished or retained for the next stage of the project that will ultimately see a new public café linked to an outdoor terrace with views over the Bay.

Dun Laoghaire County Council also say there will be studio workspaces for artists and new lifeguard facilities. It's hard to see progress from seaward with new hoardings erected recently but Afloat.ie's landward photo (above) shows off the extent of works to date.

As Afloat.ie reported previously, new public toilet facilities at street level will be fully accessible and a new jetty and changing areas will provide access to the water's edge for swimmers and landing points for canoes, kayaks and other water sports equipment.

Baths Dun Laoghaire(Above) The derelict Baths site at Dun Laoghaire before works commenced and below an artist's impression of the finished job

baths artist impression

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Dun Laoghaire Baths Renovation

Afloat has been reporting on the new plans for the publically owned Dun Laoghaire Baths site located at the back of the East Pier since 2011 when plans for its development first went on display by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. 

Foreshore consent was applied for in 2013.

Last used 30 years ago as the 'Rainbow Rapids' before falling into dereliction – the new site does not include a public pool.

The refurbished Dun Laoghaire Baths include the existing Baths Pavilion for use as artist workspaces, a gallery café and for the provision of public toilet facilities. 

Work finally got underway at Dún Laoghaire on the €9 million redevelopments of the old Dún Laoghaire Baths site in June 2018 under a contract with SIAC-Mantovani.

The works have removed dilapidated structures to the rear of the Pavilion to permit the creation of a new route and landscaping that will connect the walkway at Newtownsmith to both the East Pier and the Peoples Park. 

Original saltwater pools have been filled in and new enhanced facilities for swimming and greater access to the water’s edge by means of a short jetty have also been provided.

The works included the delivery of rock armour to protect the new buildings from storm damage especially during easterly gales. 

It hasn't all been plain sailing during the construction phase with plastic fibres used in construction washing into the sea in November 2018

Work continues on the project in Spring 2020 with the new pier structure clearly visible from the shoreline.

A plinth at the end of the pier will be used to mount a statue of Roger Casement, a former Sandycove resident and Irish nationalist.