Ballina Riverside Pool has made a big splash to mark its 50th anniversary by unveiling its future plans for solar panels to cut its expensive electricity costs.
This heated 25-metre outdoor pool opened its doors for the first time during the August Bank Holiday weekend in 1974.
There was a carnival atmosphere at the pool on Saturday with pop and rock music provided by DJ Vinny as well as refreshments organised by Lisa O’Sullivan and Mary Collins
Cora Scanlon won a season family pass for the pool in 2025 worth about €1,800.
Pool Co-ordinator, Paddy Collins has been a constant presence at the pool, which is managed by Tipperary County Council but is run by a local committee.
“It is great to keep any community project going for 50 years. Living beside the River Shannon, every child should learn how to swim,” he said.
Back in the early seventies, there was no playground or astro-turf all-weather training area as the pool was in the middle of a green area with a small surrounding fence.
Tipperary Councillor Phyll Bugler (FG) confirmed plans are being drawn up to submit a funding application to finance solar panels that can provide energy for the heat pumps that will in turn dramatically cut down on the electricity cost of heating the pool.
Pool co-ordinator, Paddy Collins, recalled on August 2, 1974, Tipperary County Council decided it would open Ballina Outdoor Pool the following day.
In spite of the short notice and the lack of social media and mobile phones, hundreds of people turned up on Saturday, August 3, 1974 for the opening day.
One lifeguard Noel O’Donoghue travelled out from Nenagh to Ballina Pool so it could open on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday until a committee was put in place.
A group of boy scouts from France who were staying Glenstal Abbey heard the pool was opening in Ballina and all of them came down for a swim in the new pool.
“There are a huge crowd at the pool for the opening weekend. There was so many that they had to be admitted in groups in hourly slots. It was a great success that weekend. The pool has been developed over the decades,” he said.
Mr Collins recalled Peter Lacey taught people how to swim using a rope attached to swimmers at Pier Head, Killaloe
The facility was maintained as a cold outdoor pool until 2012 when Environment Minister Alan Kelly and the then Tipperary County Manager, Joe MacGrath, who together with the backing of local councillors supported local initiative, joined forces to secure funding to heat the pool.
Since the pool became a heated outdoor facility with water temperatures of 26 degress Celsius, Mr Collins said it has become very popular, attracting local and visitors from all over the country as far away as Kildare to experience swimming outside in the open.
“A lot of work goes on behind the scenes getting the ph and chlorine levels right in the pool. Tom Mackey persuaded me to do a lot of training courses, which is why the pool is in an immaculate condition.
“I think we have the safest pool in Ireland. We never had a tragedy here thanks be to God.
“Hopefully, this will be for a long time to come.”
Involved in running the pool since 1994, Mr Collins thanked Pat Ryan, Tipperary County Council officials, Rosemary Joyce, Brian Dunne and staff, engineer, Paul Keane, Nenagh and Ballina pool manager, Lorenzo Chambo, Tom Mackey and his partner, Noreen Ormsby for training lifeguards, Killaloe notes correspondent Sadie Scanlan and Councillor Phyll Bugler.
Mr Collins paid special tribute to all their 26 lifeguards, Irish Water Safety Association, committee members and his family for making sacrifices when he can’t attend family events until the pool is closed at 7pm.
Family holidays have to be taken before June or in September when the pool season has ended. With hundreds of lifeguards passing through Ballina Outdoor Pool over the last five decades, Mr Collins said he was told that anyone who worked in the pool can work anywhere, including in some leisure facilities in the United States of America.
Councillor Bugler recalled there was a battle to keep the pool from being turned into a car park at one stage.
Councillor Bugler also lamented the loss of a similar facility in her home town of Templemore.
“It is a marvellous facility that has been used by a huge number of people over the years,” she said.
“I swam in it myself. It is fantastic to have the outdoor pool in Ballina. People are crying out for outdoor swimming and some are possibly afraid to swim in the River Shannon.
“We are fortunate to be able to keep this pool open thanks to the hard work of Paddy Collins his extended family and volunteers. It is a massive tourist facility for the area.
“This pool is a shining example of what can be achieved for other communities throughout the county and country. All the volunteers and lifeguards have worked to make this dream a reality.
“Having a pool with lifeguards is ideal for families. There is also a car park, all-weather multi-use facility, outdoor gym and walking area at Riverside Park. It is a natural park.
“People come from Newport, Castleconnell, Nenagh and all over Tipperary to this pool. We will keep this pool open by hook or by crook. I was a volunteer here for a while and I help Paddy when I can. Long may the spirit of co-operation continue.
“Tus worker, Pat O’Riardon helps with some maintenance work in the pool and for Ballina Tidy Towns.”
Describing the 50th pool anniversary as a great deal, Councillor Bugler said the committee looks forward to the future with great optimism.
Tipperary County Council introduced a new bye-law banning alcohol and drugs at Riverside Park following a motion tabled recently by Councillor Phyll Bugler.
Because of the dangerous conditions, anyone who is detected by Killaloe gardaí jumping off the Killaloe Bridge can be levied with a €75 on-the-spot fine.
Councillor Bugler warned it is too dangerous for any one to jump off the bridge due to the strong current and rocks.
She praised Sergeant Annette Ryan, Killaloe Garda Station for helping her to get these byelaws passed. Karen Monaghan from Ballina, recalled she started working at the pool in Ballina at the age of 15 and continued working there for about seven years.
The provided her with a stepping stone to secure employment at the Lakeside Leisure Centre during the winter when the pool was closed. With her own two children learning to swim at the pool, which they use regularly, Ms Monaghan stressed people would be lost without it during the summer months.
Lisa O’Sullivan, who works at the pool for the last 20 years, described it as a “great asset” for the local community.
“It is great for kids during the summer,” she said.
“People who use the pool as children are coming back in adult life with their own children. It is important to be able to swim when you are living near the River Shannon. Children have been doing swimming lessons here for years.
Former lifeguards including Karen Monaghan, Majella Scanlon, Cliona Collins, Laura Kilkenny, Ann Marie Minogue, Una Kierse and Eoin Kierse attended the pool’s 50th celebrations.
East Clare correspondent, Dan Danaher is a journalism graduate of Rathmines and UL. He has won numerous awards for special investigations on health, justice, environment, and reports on news, agriculture, disability, mental health and community.