Banagher Open Water Pool officially opened
The redeveloped Banagher Open Water Pool has been officially opened today (Thursday) by Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD.
The project received €616,700 in funding through Fáilte Ireland’s Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Private and Community SMEs, and was delivered through Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme, which is co funded by the Government of Ireland and the European through the EU Just Transition Fund.
A total of €156,000 in match funding was raised by the Shannon Bank Park Development group for the project, with the support of the local community.
Central to the project is a new 25 metre floating open water swimming pool, designed to adapt to fluctuating river levels and improve access for swimmers of all ages and abilities. The facility also includes a dedicated children’s area, a safe access zone, a canoe launch area and a recreational seating area with sheltered pods on the pontoon.
The newly enhanced amenity ensures a safe, inclusive and accessible open water swimming experience, strengthening Banagher’s reputation as a destination for outdoor recreation and water-based tourism along the River Shannon for both domestic and international visitors.
In attendance at the event were over 100 members of the local community, such as students from St Rynaghs Catholic National School and Banagher College, and local representative including Offaly TD John Clendennen and Offaly County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr John Leahy.
Johnny Butler, Chairperson of the Shannon Bank Park Development group said the group wanted to "create memories that would last a lifetime" while also raising money for the cause.
“We are delighted to have our new outdoor pool officially opened today. This is the culmination of a number of years of hard work and dedication by a group of volunteers who have demonstrated a deep commitment to the delivery of this project.
"When we started fundraising, we didn’t know how we were going to do it, but the community got behind us, and we made it happen. People were incredibly generous. They believed in it and saw it as something for future generations.
"The facility is here, it’s free, and it’s for everyone. We’re hoping more and more people will come and make the most of it. We’re lucky to live beside the river, and this gives everyone safe access to it, which is very rare.
“You’ll find people here from six in the morning. It’s clean, it’s safe, and it’s created a real sense of community. It’s not just for Banagher, it’s for everyone.”
Mr Butler added that the pool is a fully accessible facility, making it truly a facility for everyone to enjoy.
"No matter what disability someone has, we can help them get safely in and out. There’s a ramp and a lift, so it really is designed for everyone."
The pool was designed locally, with the help of Banagher Precast Concrete and Inland And Coastal Marina Systems Ltd.
"This project has its roots in local industry. What started with simple pontoons has grown into something we’re now incredibly proud of. The pool was designed and manufactured locally, and the technology developed here has even been exported as far as Australia."