*Photograph: John Mangan
SWIM shelters are to be installed in Lahinch and White Strand Miltown Malbay.
Funding has been secured by Clare County Council under the Healthy Ireland Outdoor Swimming Infrastructure Capital Fund. This will result in the installation of two swim shelters in the county, one in Lahinch and the other at White Strand, Miltown Malbay which local authority officials expect to be completed within the first four months of 2026.
Senior executive officer in the West Clare Municipal District, Eoin Troy outlined, “In addition, we will investigate the feasibility of installing solar-powered showers in Lahinch. This will involve identifying and assessing a suitable location to ensure the infrastructure complements the existing environment and meets the needs of users”.
In a proposal before the West Clare MD, Cllr Bill Slattery (FG) tabled on behalf of the “Lahinch sea swimmers community,” he requested “the development of a changing shelter, installation of solar powered showers on the car park adjacent to the lifeguard station. Providing shelter from the prevailing winds and enhancing Lahinch’s reputation as a modern and welcoming seaside destination”.
“There are lots of people swimming in Lahinch from morning till night,” Cllr Slattery stated. He explained that people were currently changing at the back of their cars on the promenade. “There are people up to the age of eighty three swimming there, some people take their lunch break if they are working remotely and refresh in the water but unfortunately they have no place to change,” the Cathaoirleach of the West Clare MD added. “There was a shelter before but there was a lot of anti-social behavior and it was used as a toilet,” he recalled.
Seconding the proposal, Cllr Shane Talty (FF) commented, “it is an active and popular topic throughout seaside locations, it is only right that we try support them. The answer is welcome that funding is coming. The group in Lahinch is very active, they are communicating on all party lines”. He quipped, “One elderly swimmer feared that she may no longer be an active swimmer by the time we deliver, let’s give her something to keep swimming for”.
Advocacy from elected members prompted the Council to seek the funding, Troy confirmed. “I’ve a meeting on when we can draw down funding, we are looking to install in the first four months of next year”. The structure will be from pre-cast concrete so can be dropped in and sit in place once designed. “It will be located beside the existing showers,” he said.
Welcoming the progress, Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) quipped, “we might all go for a swim”. Support was also voiced by Cllr Joe Killeen (FF).
