Skip to content
Support Us

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

David McCadden

Blackrock Baths to be demolished due to safety concerns

What are your memories of Blackrock Baths before they closed?

STRUCTURES AT BLACKROCK Baths have become so unsafe that Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has moved to demolish them.

It said this week that it is to tackle “serious public safety issues” associated with the structures and diving platform at Blackrock. The baths were built in 1839, beside Blackrock train station.

At one time, you could buy a special train ticket that also gave you admission to the baths.

The baths were closed in 1997. Abandoned Ireland has a wonderful image of diver Eddie Heron in action at the Blackrock Baths. He went on to represent Ireland at the 1948 Olympic Games.

Inspection

Following a recent inspection by senior council staff, it emerged that the structures “have suffered from extensive weather damage and from the ravages of the sea”, making them and the adjoining land dangerous to the public.

The concrete has been seriously affected by the wind and waves, while the pool structure is beyond repair. The seating and changing block is in danger of collapse.

The council also said that the guard rails to the upper seating area “have rusted away and the steps are exposed”, while the diving platform is seriously corroded and detached from the pool base.

Graffiti

During the inspection, the council noted extensive graffiti and rubbish in the building, “which suggested it is subject to regular unauthorised access”. It confirmed that it is not feasible to secure the site to prevent unauthorised access.

The council asked its constructing structural and civil engineers to carry out a more detailed inspection of the Baths, and following the consultant’s report, county architect Andree Dargan has determined that the structures on the site are ‘dangerous structures’ and that “measures must be taken to remove the danger that exists”.

Demolition

The council is now arranging the necessary demolition work, including the removal of the diving platform. But it said that the elements of the structures and pool/sea wall that are not considered to be dangerous will be retained.

The council is conscious of the special designations that attach to the area between the baths and Merrion Gates, which will have to be crossed to access the site and remove debris. Without prejudice to the Council’s legal obligations and powers under the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act, 1964 (as amended), environmental consultants have been engaged to advise the Council regarding any potential environmental issues and to liase with other statutory agencies.

Security have been installed on the site pending the demolition work.

County Manager Owen Keegan said of the site’s future:

As part of the preparation of the Blackrock Local Area Plan, outline proposals are being prepared to make improvements to the seafront, including access at this location, having due regard to Specific Local Objective 9 (Map 2) in the County Development Plan. Subject to consultation with the site owners, consideration will be given to what can be done with the remainder of the baths structure and a report will be brought to councillors in due course.

A gallery of photographs of the baths is available on the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s website.

Did you go to Blackrock Baths before it closed? What are your memories of the place?

Read: Irish bathing water quality improved in 2011>

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
35 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark
    Favourite Mark
    Report
    Aug 23rd 2012, 4:27 PM

    This kind of story is like putting a satellite image over the Sahara desert and saying its going to be warm and dry.

    91
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Wes Freeman
    Favourite Wes Freeman
    Report
    Aug 23rd 2012, 3:56 PM

    rain on the way?! you don’t say :D

    86
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joan Ruud Donnellan-Wijnen
    Favourite Joan Ruud Donnellan-Wijnen
    Report
    Aug 23rd 2012, 4:24 PM

    @ Denise.. “if only it was …’A little’!!!!

    67
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Warren Kennedy
    Favourite Warren Kennedy
    Report
    Aug 23rd 2012, 5:08 PM

    Think I’m having a little déjà vu here…

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Denise Friary
    Favourite Denise Friary
    Report
    Aug 23rd 2012, 4:03 PM

    The weather in Ireland is OK. A little rain does no harm.

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eric De Red
    Favourite Eric De Red
    Report
    Aug 23rd 2012, 9:00 PM

    I don’t know why we have met office. My horoscope is more accurate.

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Val Kearney
    Favourite Val Kearney
    Report
    Aug 23rd 2012, 10:09 PM

    I was just in the Czech Republic at a festival for 7 days and it “rained” once in Prague. I say rained, but it was literally a couple of drops. Looked around the street and all these Czech people were looking up wondering what the hell was happening. Some dose coming home.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Larson
    Favourite Mark Larson
    Report
    Aug 24th 2012, 12:56 AM

    The Czech Republic can keep the winters they have every year, those 2 harsh winters Ireland got a couple of years back is the norm for them every winter and sometimes even worse. No thanks.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Danny McLaughlin
    Favourite Danny McLaughlin
    Report
    Aug 23rd 2012, 6:35 PM

    Here on Orkney, we have had 32mm of rain this month, 16mm between 12 midnight and 8am this morning.
    Data collected by our on site weather station.
    We missed the deluge at home 2 weeks ago, but we’re expecting more on Saturday.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martina Bennett Daly
    Favourite Martina Bennett Daly
    Report
    Aug 24th 2012, 12:24 AM

    Shocker

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds