Feasibility study to be commissioned for a Swimming Pool for North Kildare
14 May 2026: Kildare County Council is commissioning a detailed site feasibility study in relation to a possible swimming pool on lands in its ownership in the Leixlip Demesne townland, close to both Leixlip and Celbridge.
Sonya Kavanagh Chief Executive, Kildare County Council welcomed this development stating; “Kildare is one of the fastest growing counties in Ireland, and, working alongside Government and other partners, we are committed to ensuring that the provision of community, social and recreational infrastructure keeps pace with demographic demands. Successive Development Plans and other strategies have identified the need for swimming facilities in North Kildare and we look forward to progressing this project, subject to planning and funding.”
Announcing a commitment of €1million to this project, to coincide with the opening of Fab 34, Intel’s newest manufacturing facility in Ireland, Joe Bolger, Factory Manager, Intel stated; “Through Intel’s long-standing engagement with our local communities, we understand that the provision of a swimming pool in the Leixlip and Celbridge area has been an ambition shared by many for years. We welcome the fact that Kildare County Council are moving forward with a detailed site study for a swimming pool that will maximise access to swimming opportunities for so many people in North Kildare. Intel is delighted to commit €1 million to support the delivery of this much-needed facility, subject to planning approval.”
Kildare County Council has received positive support from Swim Ireland for its plans to develop permanent swimming facilities. This follows a previous successful collaboration on a Pop-Up Pool, with the collected data further supporting the case for sustainable swimming infrastructure in North Kildare.
Mary McMorrow Interim CEO, Swim Ireland said; “Public swimming pools play a pivotal role in community health outcomes. Swimming is one of the few sports that can be enjoyed across all ages and is the second most popular participation sport, only behind personal exercise. We welcome Kildare County Council’s proposals, which follow so soon after the publication of our landmark ‘Swimming Pool Gap Analysis Report’ highlighting significant gaps in swimming infrastructure and an over-reliance on hotel pools. This particularly affects people for whom cost and accessible facilities are barriers to participation. Following our very successful collaboration in bringing the Pop Up Pool to Leixlip, Swim Ireland looks forward to supporting the Council to deliver a new public pool for Kildare.”
Cathaoirleach of Celbridge-Leixlip Municipal District, Councillor Rupert Heather, welcomed the announcement, stating, “Elected members across all parties have long called for the provision of a swimming pool for this part of Kildare. I speak for all when I say we look forward to supporting the progression of this process and to the delivery of what would be a massively beneficial project for the wellbeing of the people of Kildare”.
