The redeveloped Banagher Open Water Pool was officially opened on Thursday by Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, marking a major milestone for the local community and for everyone involved in bringing the project to life.
At Inland and Coastal, we were proud to attend the official opening and to have played a key role in the design, development and construction of this exciting new waterside facility. Working alongside project partners and the local community, we helped deliver a space that will support recreation, tourism and safe access to the River Shannon for years to come.
The project received €616,700 in funding through Fáilte Ireland’s Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Private and Community SMEs and was delivered through the Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme, co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund. An additional €156,000 in match funding was raised by the Shannon Bank Park Development Group with strong support from the local community.
Central to the redevelopment is a new 25-metre floating open water swimming pool, designed to adapt to changing river levels while improving accessibility for swimmers of all ages and abilities. The facility also includes a dedicated children’s area, safe water access, a canoe launch area and a recreational seating space with sheltered pods on the pontoon.
The opening represents a significant investment in Banagher’s waterfront and highlights the growing importance of accessible, sustainable outdoor recreation along Ireland’s inland waterways.
Story credit: Offaly Independent
