Glin and Kilteery Pier receive Healthy Ireland to improve facilities

Glin and Kilteery Pier receive Healthy Ireland to improve facilities. Photo shows Glin Pier. picture via glin.info

Glin and Kilteery Pier have been successful in their application for Healthy Ireland funding to improve facilities at the outdoor swimming facilities

The Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, has announced Glin and Kilteery Pier have been successful in their application for Healthy Ireland fund for outdoor swimming facilities.

The funding is part of a €330,000 fund announced by the minister, with Glin and Kilteery Pier receiving €20,000 for upgrades to accessible changing and shower facilities, and installation of handrails, access ladders, and a rescue kayak.

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.

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Glin and Kilteery Pier are one of 17 local authority areas that will receive allocations from the fund, which will aim to make the 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.”

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.”

The Sport Ireland CEO said the swimming facilities offer a range of benefits to the public, saying, “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.”

Swim Ireland CEO, Sarah Keane, said, “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’.”