Official opening of the Blackrock swimming pool walkway in Louth
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The launch of the swimming pool walkway in Blackrock Co Louth took place on June 20th
The official launch of the Blackrock swimming pool walkway took place on Saturday.
At the launch or the refurbished swimming pool walkway in Blackrock were Paddy Malone, son of the main instigator of the project, Jim Malone, as well as Damien McGahon, son of the architect Tom McGahon who designed the facility.
A panel explaining the story of the swimming pool and its importance in this area has been installed.
Organised by Blackrock Tidy Towns, this initiative to highlight this aspect of our heritage, coincides with preparations for the hosting the Entente Florale this July.
One might ask why this is called the swimming pool walk when there is little evidence of the existence of a pool here.
In 1956 a scheme was adopted for the provision of an outdoor sea-water swimming pool in Blackrock at a cost of £20,000.
The pool was opened in 1962 and was, at the time, the only 50 metre pool in the country.
Its tiered seating could accommodate up to 800 spectators.
For 20 years it was one of the principal recreational facilities in County Louth.
Built with the help of public subscriptions and supported by Louth County Council, the pool was an attraction for many young people from Blackrock and wider afield.
Designed by architect Tom McGahon and a committee led by Jim Malone, it was a major accomplishment in an era of austerity.
Due to high maintenance cost the pool was eventually closed in the 1980s and was demolished in 1995.
The site was sold for development and the Marine Court apartments now occupy the site, but the remains of the seaward wall of the pool (the painted depth measurements are still on display) now form part of the popular walkway, linking the lower car park with the Priests’ Beach.
Old photographs of the swimming pool and the village adorn the inner wall of the walkway.
The Sea Scouts den, in the corner of the car park, is the only remaining part of the original swimming pool buildings.