Three Cork beaches awarded funding for improved swimming facilities

THREE Cork beaches were announced among 51 nationwide projects to be awarded funding for improved outdoor swimming facilities.

The Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Colm Burke announced the successful applicants for the €500,000 funding scheme yesterday, with €15,000 allocated to Cork’s Garretstown, Garrylucas and Incheydoney beaches.

The initiative, developed in line with the Healthy Ireland objective of enabling more people to be active, builds on the recent growth in popularity of outdoor swimming by improving the facilities and equipment at designated swimming locations across the country.

The funds will be used to improve access, enhance changing facilities and to purchase equipment to assist people with disabilities.

Funding for each awardee will be administered by Sport Ireland on behalf of the Department of Health.

Minister Burke said: "Outdoor swimming has so many benefits for our physical and mental health and is a valuable outlet for social connection that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

"In line with the Healthy Ireland principles, the funding we’re allocating will improve the access and facilities at swimming spots nationwide, encouraging more people to engage in an activity that promotes improved health and wellbeing.

"I am very encouraged by the large number of funding applications received, with very creative proposals that will enhance the usability of our many wonderful swimming spots all over the country.” CEO of Sport Ireland Una May said: 

"[This is] a valuable opportunity to take what is becoming a very popular avenue for physical activity and make it more accessible to more people.

"Open Water swimming is one of the most equitable sporting opportunities in the country, and [this] marks the culmination of an intensive body of work to analyse the range of outdoor swimming locations across the country and identify infrastructure or equipment that can open them up to more people.” Swim Ireland CEO, Sarah Keane said: “This funding is a welcome opportunity to help to further grow Open Water swimming participation across Ireland.

“We are fortunate to have a beautiful and diverse range of great locations in our seas, lakes and rivers across the length and breadth of our country.

“Opening them up to more people enables us to further grow participation levels in outdoor swimming and support the health and wellbeing of our people."