Great excitement as new Offaly outdoor pool is installed

There was considerable excitement in Banagher when locals saw their new outdoor pool being installed in the River Shannon.

The installation of the pool started at Shannon Bank Park on Monday, September 4. Groundworks and the construction of the new access ramp to the pool have commenced also, which will take a number of weeks. The pool and the park will remain closed to the public until Monday, September 22.

The new €800,000 pool is a floating pool, like the previous one that it's replacing, and will be a significant improvement on its predecessor. There's been an outdoor pool in Banagher for 30 years and it's very popular with people from the town and the surrounding counties.

Located in Shannon Bank Park, near Banagher bridge, the facility is located on the banks of the Shannon and its water is from the river itself. It's an unheated pool. The new pool has been constructed by a Banagher company, “Inland and Coastal Marina Systems”, on Church Street.

The new facility is bigger than the old one, with larger platforms. Brendan O'Loughlin, Project Manager pointed out that the outdoor pool is part of the Shannon Bank Park which is owned by a Trust on behalf of the community of Banagher.

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“The Shannon Bank Trustees and I have been involved with the Park and its pool for thirty years,” he remarked. “During that time a one kilometre riverside walk has been created; there was a Pitch & Putt course but it closed during Covid and hasn't reopened. The Offaly Search and Recovery have their base in the Park.”

There isn't a lifeguard serving at the pool at present. “We are talking to Galway County Council and Offaly County Council,” continued the project manager, “and we are confident that there will be a lifeguard in place next year during the summer months of June, July and August. As well as installing the pool we are further embellishing the Park by upgrading the walkway, upgrading the changing rooms and the outdoor showers.” He added that the area is lit by public lighting for large parts of the day. “During the winter the lights come on at 6am and are switched off at 11pm.”

The new pool has a winch system into and out of the water for those with disabilities and a ramp going down into the water. There will be a canoe launch point at one side of the facility.

A majority of the €800,000 in funding came from the EU Just Transition Fund (administered by Fáilte Ireland). €195,000 in match funding was raised by the local community. There's been a huge amount of good will towards the new facility. An excellent fundraising committee came up with lots of great fundraising ideas and the generosity shown by people was massive. There was an auction, a climb of Carrauntoohil, a 3.5km Shannon swim. Money has also been raised through the Sponsor a Nameplate fundraiser. Schools and community organisations have been very supportive.

Brendan said there's been a noticeable uptick in the pool's popularity during recent years.

“It's been proven that open water swimming, swimming in unheated environments such as outdoor pools, is good for your health, physical and mental. More and more people are realising this, which no doubt explains the outdoor pool's increased popularity. Quite a few people swim in it all year round, even going for early morning swims before work during the winter. There's a popular Christmas Day swim every year.”

Launched by the Shannon Bank Park Development Group at the Crank House on 2nd February 2025, the fundraising campaign has exceeded expectations in a town of just 1,907 residents. The €195,000 raised will support the project.
Johnny Butler of the Shannon Bank Park Development Group, commented: “From the very start, we were met with nothing but positivity. Everywhere we turned for help or support, we didn’t have to ask twice. It really shows the kind of community that exists here in Banagher — and not just here, but across West Offaly, East Galway, and North Tipperary too.” 

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