Senator Confirms Curragh Swimming Pool to Reopen as Lifeguard Capacity Confirmed
Published on: 22 January 2026
Fianna Fáil Senator for Kildare South, Fiona O’Loughlin, has confirmed that there is now capacity for the Curragh military swimming pool to reopen to local schools and community groups, following the recruitment of the required number of lifeguards.
Works were completed to the swimming pool in the Curragh in September 2024 at a cost of almost €300,000. However, the Defence Forces were unsuccessful in recruiting lifeguards at that time and as a result the facility was unable to reopen for public use.
Due to operational requirements, there must be two lifeguards on duty when schools or community groups are using the pool.
However, Senator O’Loughlin has now confirmed that there are now two full time and two part time lifeguards in place, allowing the pool to reopen to the public.
Speaking on the news, Senator Fiona O’Loughlin said the reopening follows a long campaign to see the pool brought back into use.
“This is a long-fought battle for a public asset to be brought back into use,” she said.
“It is a terrific asset sitting in the heart of the community and it made no sense to leave it lying idle.
“Kildare is a growing county and prior to today’s announcement there was only one public swimming pool in the south of the county, based in Athy. This is some distance from Newbridge and Kildare town where there are growing and developing populations.
“Kildare continues to grow in size and influence so it is only right that we have the infrastructure and amenities that reflect that size.”
The Fianna Fáil Senator has raised the issue of the closed pool on numerous occasions in the Seanad over the past year, engaging with the Department of Defence, Kildare County Council and the appropriate Ministers to seek adequate resources for staffing.
Senator O’Loughlin added that while the reopening of the swimming pool on the Curragh is very welcome, it will not stop the push and lobbying to secure funding and resources for a public swimming pool in the heart of Newbridge.
“Kildare is a growing county and we need the amenities to match that growth. Today is great news for the community but it will not stop the campaign and engagement to get the funding and resources for a swimming pool in Newbridge,” she said.
The Senator concluded by encouraging all interested schools to contact estatemanagementcurragh@defence.ie to enquire about availability to use the pool.
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Fiona O'Loughlin
