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€13.5m Dun Laoghaire Baths Refurb Not Expected to Open Now Until Late Spring 2022

14th September 2021
The Dun Laoghaire Baths refurbishment project as photographed from the sea side on September 5th 2022. Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Council has revised it completion date for the project from December  2021 to late Spring 2022.
The Dun Laoghaire Baths refurbishment project as photographed from the sea side on September 5th 2022. Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Council has revised it completion date for the project from December 2021 to late Spring 2022 Credit: Afloat

Completion of the refurbished Dun Laoghaire Baths that was expected to be completed in December 2021 will not now be ready until the first quarter of next year, say Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

"Due to Covid and other site factors, the project is likely to be delivered in late Spring 2022", the Council said in a statement yesterday (13th September) announcing the arrival of the Roger Casement sculpture to the Dublin Bay site.

As Afloat noted at the weekend the project is now ongoing for three years and three months

When complete the Council says the project will provide for the continuing public use of the area.

The current projected cost is €13.5m which includes the refurbishment of the existing Baths Pavilion, constructing a new jetty to give easy access to the water for swimming and the creation of a new route between Newtownsmith and the East Pier.

This walkway will be at a level that will create a safe and secure walk offering panoramic views over Scotsman’s Bay. The form of this walk will reflect the original rocky shoreline and the historic alignment of the old gun battery that was originally located on this site. The walkway will incorporate sitting and viewing points and the land adjoining this walk will be re-graded to create sloping grassed areas.

The scheme also includes the refurbishment of the historic small gazebo situated along this route.

The former Pavilion building has been substantially refurbished to provide studio space for artists and to provide gallery and café facilities overlooking Scotsman’s Bay.

The original Baths entrance along Windsor Terrace is being restored to provide access to the building while an outdoor ‘café terrace’ linked to the new café will provide an attractive sitting area for viewing, eating and relaxing.

The Pavilion will also provide new public toilets, Changing Places facility and will be accessible for wheelchair users.

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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.