The lack of accessibility at the new Dún Laoghaire Baths is “an insult to people with disabilities”, a local councillor has said.

The baths date back to 1843 but reopened last year after a 25 year hiatus and a renovation project costing over €10 million. 

Many residents were disappointed the new baths did not include any type of swimming pool and one local historian told Moncrieff, “It’s a little bit like the Emperor’s new clothes, isn’t it?”

Others were upset that the renovated baths are not wheelchair accessible. 

‘It’s a skate park’

On Thursday evening, a public meeting was held in Dún Laoghaire where locals demanded both issues be rectified. 

“We can’t turn our wheelchairs into skateboards - because, let’s face it, it is a skate park,” Seán O'Kelly from Access For All Ireland told Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie. 

He feels “frustrated” by the design and said architects should have known better. 

“I knew from the beginning that it’s completely inaccessible,” he said.  

“Most of the ramps, they have a sign saying, ‘Steep slope.’ 

“So, they knew very well.” 

Seán O'Kelly. Picture by: Josh Crosbie. 

Mr O'Kelly also said it is not normal for a new building to be inaccessible to disabled people. 

“I’ve never experienced it or seen it in my life," he said. 

“The thought of ever going back there ever again, gives me anxiety.

“What does that say about an amenity?”

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Council have promised that the accessibility problem will be fixed during Phase Two of the project and work should begin later this year.

Cllr Melisa Halpin said the council needs to treat the project with more urgency. 

“I’ve already had a motion passed at the January Council meeting to have either a temporary or permanent works to make sure the bath site is accessible for everybody as a matter of urgency,” she said. 

“Still, I haven’t seen anything being done and it’s coming up again on 6th March.” 

A temporary ramp has been put in place but the council describes it as “steep in places” and acknowledges the baths are still “not accessible for some”. 

“I want to see that area accessible for all,” Cllr Halpin said. 

“It’s up to the engineers and the architects to work out how that can happen. 

“I think it’s an insult to people with disabilities and an insult to people with mobility issues.” 

Dun Laoghaire Baths. Image: DLRCC

The site was designed so that an open seawater pool could be built at a later date and Fergal McLoughlin from Save Our Seafront believes the council should “Get on with it”. 

“I think people are mystified that the pool was not installed when the whole thing was being built,” he said. 

“It seems a waste of money to have done that without the pool. The delay is just phenomenal.”

Main image: Dun Laoghaire Baths. Image: DLRCC