Calls for swimming pool for this South Kildare town

Despite being “10%” ahead of target in terms of housebuilding and being one of the fastest-growing towns in Leinster, Newbridge, Co Kildare remains without a swimming pool, a Fianna Fáil senator has told the Seanad.

According to Senator Fiona O'Loughlin, who raised the issue in the Seanad this week, although the town has a population of 27,000 and growing, infrastructure in Newbridge is “sadly falling behind.”

Senator O'Loughlin told Deputy Niall Collins that in the past, there were two small private swimming pools in Newbridge that schools and individuals were able to access.

There was also limited use of the Curragh swimming pool in the Curragh Camp for community groups and local schools.

Unfortunately, she said, there was now a situation where neither of those private swimming pools is available and, since Covid, there has not been the same access to the Curragh swimming pool.

The Fianna Fáil senator said: “A number of years ago, when the current Taoiseach was Minister for both foreign affairs and defence, I approached him about this. There was absolutely no access for anybody, including family members of Defence Forces personnel who traditionally had access.

“At the time, the then Minister reached an agreement with the Department of Defence and, indeed, the Army that if money was spent on changing rooms and providing access, the barracks would give more time to community groups and schools.

“That access only became available last year, but it is very limited, being available only on two days for two hours each. Despite public money going into this and despite the swimming pool being what should be a community asset as well as an asset to the Defence Forces, we have not had a lot of traction.”

Senator O'Loughlin pointed out there are 136 schools in Kildare. In south Kildare, she said, there is only one swimming pool, in Athy, which is “practically impossible” to access by public transport.

While the swimming pool in Naas is “slightly easier to get to”, she said, Newbridge should have its own pool.

She added: “In 2024, when the then Minister of State with responsibility for sport, Deputy Thomas Byrne, launched the first national swimming strategy, there was an explicit goal of giving everyone in Ireland the chance to learn to swim. Swimming is a very popular sport and it is important for our health.

“The medical data is clear that swimming provides brilliant cardiovascular benefits because the water supports your weight. It is one of the best ways for older people to stay active and protect their joints.

“Even more important, pools are where we teach our young people to stay safe in the water. We are an island nation with a lot of water around us and within the country. Water Safety Ireland figures show there were 56 accidental drownings in 2024, 19 of which were young people aged under 19. On top of that, about 20% of people who live in our country do not know how to swim. That is a frightening statistic. Why do we have a national swimming strategy when there is a glaring gap, echoed by Swim Ireland, in south Kildare?”

Deputy Collins, in his response, said the case Senator O'Loughlin had articulated had “huge merit” and that he would convey the senators sentiments “to my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy McConalogue and the acting senior Minister, Deputy Peter Burke.”