Press Release: Monday 10 November 2025
Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and National Drugs Strategy Jennifer Murnane O’Connor announces successful applicants for €330,000 outdoor swimming fund
The Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Jennifer Murnane O’Connor TD has today announced the successful applicants for a €330,000 Healthy Ireland fund for outdoor swimming facilities.
This is the second year of the scheme which aims to make Ireland’s approved outdoor swimming locations more accessible, enabling more people to enjoy the health benefits of outdoor swimming.
Swimming locations in 17 local authority areas will each receive allocations, supporting the provision and upgrade of handrails, swim shelters, access ladders, safety notice boards, shower facilities, and beach wheelchairs.
These enhancements will make these approved locations more accessible, particularly for people with reduced mobility, and will build on the progress made since the scheme was introduced in 2024.
Minister Murnane O’Connor said:
“We are lucky to have fantastic outdoor swimming amenities at rivers, lakes, beaches and outdoor pools. This Healthy Ireland initiative will enable more people to access these amenities and to reap the physical and mental health and wellbeing benefits associated with outdoor swimming.
“I know Local Sports Partnerships all around the country, from Galway to Wicklow and from Donegal to Cork, will be busy implementing improvements over the next few months so that they are ready to welcome many more swimmers for the 2026 season.”
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sport Ireland, Dr Úna May, said:
“Sport Ireland is very happy to once again work with the Minister on this brilliant initiative. The main vision of the National Swimming Strategy is to give everyone the chance to swim, regardless of age, background, or ability – and the supports provided by this funding will be vital in enabling more people to do just that.
“As highlighted by Irish Sports Monitor 2024, swimming is the second most popular participation sport in the country. Outdoor swimming truly brings people together. The range of approved locations across rivers, lakes and coastal spots give everyone the chance to dive in – making swimming accessible and enjoyable for communities right across the country.
“Not only does outdoor swimming have the potential to unite people from all walks of life, it also provides the unique wellbeing benefits that come from being active in the open air.
“During the past year our network of Local Sports Partnerships worked effectively with the Local Authorities in 2024 and we look forward to once more working together with Healthy Ireland and Swim Ireland to build on these successes.”
Swim Ireland CEO, Sarah Keane said:
“Swim Ireland is proud to have supported the Minister, the Department of Health, and Sport Ireland in selecting impactful initiatives from applications nationwide.
“Supporting increased Open Water opportunities and access is an important element of the National Swimming Strategy and there is a huge interest in this area signified by the number of submissions on open water received during the development of the Strategy.
“Our country is blessed with an incredible variety of seas, lakes, and rivers, offering stunning locations for outdoor swimming. By making these spaces more accessible, we can encourage greater participation, promote the health and wellbeing of our communities and realise Swim Ireland’s vision for ‘an island of swimmers’.