The Dún Laoghaire Baths Project
Status: Substantially completed 2nd December 2022.
Phase 2 works will consist of universal access works from Queen's Road to the lower Jetty and will commence in August 2023
Overview
Works at the Dun Laoghaire Baths were substatially completed on 2nd December 2022 and will provide for the continuing public use of the area. Works include the retention and securing of the existing Baths Pavilion and the removal of dilapidated structures to the rear of the Pavilion to create a new route between Newtownsmith and the East Pier. This walkway will be at a level that will create a safe and secure walk offering panoramic views over Scotsman’s Bay. The form of this walk will reflect the original rocky shoreline and the historic alignment of the old gun battery that was originally located on this site. The walkway will incorporate sitting and viewing points and the land adjoining this walk will be re-graded to create sloping grassed areas. The scheme also proposes the refurbishment of the small gazebo situated along this route.
The existing Baths Pavilion together with a smaller outbuilding will be retained, weathered and secured while the remaining dilapidated outbuildings to the rear and side of the Pavilion will be removed. It is proposed to fit out the Pavilion to accommodate studio space for artists and to provide gallery and café facilities. The studios will be managed by the Arts Department. The original Baths entrance along Windsor Terrace will be restored to provide access. An outdoor ‘café terrace’ linked to the new café will provide an attractive sitting area for viewing eating and relaxing. It is also proposed to create new public toilets facilities at street level which will also be accessible for wheelchair users. Footpaths along Windsor Terrace will be upgraded, and new street trees planted.
These uses and improvements will create new life and provide enhanced public facilities which will complement and link the area to the adjoining Peoples Park, the completed Metals Project Phases 1 and 2 and the recently completed DLR Lexicon Environs project.
Project Update
The project is divided into several work zones. These zones include work to the new jetty, works to the new sea walls, works to the Pavilion and works to tie into the existing walkway at Newtownsmith. Currently works to the new jetty are nearing completion. This has created a new viewing point with stunning vistas across Scotsman’s Bay to Sandycove Harbour. The new long bench on the jetty has been also been completed which is inspired by the sitting bench where swimmers relax overlooking Sandycove Harbour. The new Casement Memorial Sculpture by the sculptor Mark Richards is complete and is dramatically sited on a plinth at the end of the jetty.
The construction of massive new sea walls supporting the new walkway at the back of the pavilion are also nearing completion. The old Pavilion building has been stabilised enclosed and is now fully weathered. This has allowed the artists’ studios at the lower level and café at the upper level to be progressed with the installation of electrical and mechanical services. While significant progress has been made in all these areas overall progress in constructing the works has been slower than anticipated. A combination of factors has contributed to this including a requirement to stabilise the retaining walls that supports the Queens Road and Dart cutting, difficulty in constructing the jetty and underpinning and stabilisation required for the Pavilion Building. As a consequence of this the Contractor advises a completion date of Summer 2022. This completion date is however subject to the ongoing impact of the site closure caused by the Covid pandemic.
The project is funded directly by Dún Laoghaire County Council. Additional grant funding of €1.1m has been made available from the European Regional Development Fund under the Designated Urban Centre Grant Scheme (DUCGS).
FAQ
The new Dún Laoghaire Baths was designed in-house by dlr’s Architects’ Department.
SIAC-Mantovani – a joint venture for this project. Mantovani, an Italian company, are specialists in marine works
The Dún Laoghaire Baths is an iconic site in the county. The new Baths will mean enhanced and free public facilities for all swimmers and sea sports enthusiasts to the sea at Dún Laoghaire.
The development represents a significant, long term investment in this public facility and will provide improved connectivity with the Metals Walkway and the People’s Park and will link Dún Laoghaire town directly to its seafront.
The development will retain the existing Baths Pavilion for use as artist workspaces and a café with terrace offering panoramic views over Scotsman’s Bay. A new jetty and changing areas will provide access to the water’s edge for swimmers and landing points for kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddle boards, etc. New public toilet facilities at street level will be fully accessible.
The new baths facility will be a long-term local amenity for the area and will provide connectivity with other local amenities in Dún Laoghaire.
This project has been under consideration for a number of years. When investigative works were carried out at the site, it was discovered that the buildings were in a dilapidated condition. Due to the poor state of repair, it is necessary to demolish the buildings and rebuild. They are not salvageable in their current state. The main building, referred to as the Baths Pavilion, will be retained, while the newer outbuildings to the rear of the original main building will need to be demolished. The development of Dún Laoghaire Baths represents a significant, long term investment in this public facility and in the town of Dún Laoghaire
It is anticipated that the baths will be completed by Spring 2020.
There is currently space in the dlr LexIcon for artists to exhibit their works. However, the Baths will provide workshop space for artists rather than exhibition space.
The baths pavilion will be fully accessible to all. New public toilets at street level will also be fully accessible
Yes, there will be approximately 35 parking spaces unavailable for the duration of the works. We apologise for the inconvenience to all regular visitors who access this car park. These spaces will be fully reinstated once the works have been completed.
The works will take approximately 22 months to complete. In order to service these works, provide space for equipment, etc, the contractor will need to apportion space in Newtownsmith for a compound.
Unfortunately not. There will still be parking available at Newtownsmith for the duration of the works. The area at Newtownsmith is also halfway between two dart stations and we would encourage people to take public transport, walk or cycle if they want to avail of the amenities that the area of Newtownsmith has to offer.
During the main works it is not expected that daily traffic management restrictions will be required and no road closures are currently planned. If a road closure is required during the works this will be advertised using the normal procedures (website and social media) well in advance of any proposed closure.
The Casement statue will be sited at the end of the new pier which is being built to permit swimmers to enter deep water clear of the rocks at low tide. The new pier will extend approximately 15m beyond the end of an existing concrete feature and the Casement statue will sit at the end of that pier.
No, there will be no conflict between swimmers and boaters
A public consultation process for this project was previously undertaken when we made an application for consent under the Foreshore Act to the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government in 2012.
Drawings and reports describing the proposal were made available for inspection at County Hall, Dún Laoghaire, at the Council’s offices in Dundrum and at Dún Laoghaire Garda Station, and the public was invited to make submissions on this scheme.
On foot of this, we underwent a Part 8 consultation process for a period of two months in 2015 where the public were invited to make submissions on the scheme.
Yes, anyone can use the baths. The project is public owned and public led. There will be a café and terrace where members of the public can enjoy a coffee or tea looking over the Bay
No, anyone can use the baths for access to the sea. The project is public owned and public-led and open for all to use.
The ‘Baths’ entrance mat is being retained. There are a number of items of significance that are being removed and stored such as part of the old slide, pumps and a turnstile for example.
Gallery
