There’s an almost endless number of public swimming pools in Dublin, if you fancy a dip!
From some very impressive facilities, like the National Aquatic Centre, to smaller pools scattered across north and south Dublin, there’s something to suit every type of swimmer.
In the guide below, you’ll find a list of the various public swimming pools in Dublin, split into pools in North Dublin and Pools in South Dublin. Dive on in!
Some quick need-to-knows before visiting any of the swimming pools in Dublin below
Photo By Andrey Armyagov (Shutterstock)
Now, before you chuck your togs in a bag and run out the door, please take a moment to read the need-to-knows below.
1. Check with them in advance
Before heading towards one of the pools mentioned below, make sure to check their website. In some cases, you will need to have a membership card to access the pool. There are also pay as you go swimming pools in Dublin, if you just fancy a quick one-off swim.
2. Bring the right gear
Make sure to also check whether there is any specific gear that you will need to bring with you. For instance, in some pools, you will have to bring a swim hat or a pair of flip flops. You can check this information by either browsing through the pool’s website or by calling on the phone.
3. Water safety
The water can be an extremely dangerous place if you’re not used to swimming. If you are a beginner and still need to learn how to swim, you should take lessons, first. All of the pools mentioned below offer classes where you will be able to learn the basics of swimming.
Swimming pools in North Dublin
Photo By Nastia Gomanova (Shutterstock)
The first section of our guide focuses on the various public swimming pools in Dublin, on the Northside of the county.
1. ALSAA (Old Swords Road)
Inside the ALSAA sports centre, situated on Old Airport Road, you will find a 25-metre swimming pool. It opens every day at 7 am and closes at 8 pm during the week and from 11 am to 6 pm on Saturday and 12 pm to 6 pm on Sunday. This sports centre also features a gym, a weights room, a steam room and a sauna, all situated next to the pool.
2. Portmarnock Leisure Club
Portman Leisure Club is situated in Blackwood Lane, Portmarnock, and can be easily reached with a 40-minute drive from the centre of Dublin. Swim hats are mandatory here so make sure to bring one. There are also swimming and aquafit classes available as well as train sessions of sub-aqua.
3. National Aquatic Centre (Deanestown)
If you’re an early bird, the National Aquatic Centre, situated on Snugborough Road, is the perfect place for you. This pool opens at 6 am during the week, so you can easily come here for a swim before work. The National Aquatic Centre closes at 10 pm during the week while on Saturday and Sunday it opens at 8 am and closes at 8 pm.
4. Finglas Swimming Pool
Finglas Swimming Pool is situated in the north of Dublin at 11 Mellowes Road. Here you will find a 25-meter pool with six lanes. This pool is open seven days a week and it opens at 7 am and closes at 21.45 from Monday to Thursday. On Fridays, the pool closes at 19:45 and on the weekends, a different time schedule applies. Finglas Swimming pool is accessible to people with limited mobility.
5. Marine Hotel
Inside the Marine Hotel, situated at 13 Sutton Cross, you will find a lovely 12-meter swimming pool. Bear in mind that you will need a membership card to access the pool. Make sure to contact the reception for further details. The hotel also features a sauna and a steam room where to relax after your swim.
6. Northside Centre Pool (Coolock)
Northside Centre Pool is situated inside the Northside Shopping Centre in Unit E, Oscar Traynor Road. Make sure to check the time schedule before arriving, as it tends to change periodically. In general, the pool is closed on Monday and Sunday.
Related read: Check out our guide to the best beaches in Dublin (from well known spots, like Dollymount, to lesser known ones, like the Howth beaches)
7. Ballymun Swimming Pool
Situated in Ballymun Road, Ballymun Swimming Pool is open seven days a week and offers several activities such as aqua aerobics, aqua fitness and swimming classes for children and adults alike. The swimming pool is 25-meter long and here you will also find a steam room and a sauna.
8. Aura de Paul swimming pool
Aura de Paul swimming pool is situated in Saint Vincents Centre, on Navan Road. This structure offers a 20-meter pool, a pool for children with low water and a Jacuzzi. If you like to swim early in the morning, this is the perfect location for you as from Tuesday to Friday, the pool opens at 6.30 am.
Swimming pools in Dublin (Southside)
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The first section of our guide focuses on the various public swimming pools in Dublin, on the Southside of the county.
1. Enable Ireland Swimming Pool
Enable Ireland Swimming Pool is situated in Situ Sandymount Avenue. It looks like this pool is not currently open to the public, so make sure to check out their website for news on public reopening.
2. Tempelogue College Swimming Pool
Situated on Templeville Road, Templeogue Village College Swimming Pool is open seven days a week. From Monday to Friday the pool opens at 7 am and closes at 10 pm, while during the weekends, opening times change. Here you will be able to make use of the female-only lane or book aqua aerobics classes.
3. Crumlin Swimming Pool
Crumlin Swimming Pool is situated inside William Pearse Park at 80A Windmill Road. This structure doesn’t accept credit cards, so make sure to bring cash with you (try to bring the right amount as they don’t accept large notes either).
4. Terenure College Swimming Pool
Situated in Templeogue Road, this facility features a 25-meter pool and several activities. Here you will be able to book child and adult swimming lessons, aquafit classes and casual swims and baby/toddler swims with qualified teachers.
5. Monkstown Pool
Monkstown Pool is perfect for people who love to swim early in the morning. Situated in Monkstown Ave, this pool opens at 6.30 am from Monday to Friday. This structure features a 25-metre pool with a 1.80 metres depth. There is also a leisure pool to keep your children entertained while you train!
6. Iveagh Fitness Club
Situated in the heart of Dublin, in Bride Road, Iveagh Fitness Club is open seven days a week. From Monday to Friday, the opening hours are from 7 am to 9 pm while during the weekends the schedule is different. This structure also features a Jacuzzi, a sauna and two solariums.
7. Ballyfermot Leisure Centre
Ballyfermot Leisure Centre is situated at 10 Blackditch Road. This structure opens at 7 am during the week and at 9.00 am on Saturday and Sunday. According to online reviews, the pool is large and clean and the staff is very patient and always happy to help.
8. Club Vitae
From Monday to Friday, the Club Vitae swimming pool opens at 6.30 am, so this is a great location to train early in the morning. This swimming pool is situated in Clayton Hotel, Cardiff Lane and is 22-meter in length. Make sure to arrive early on your first day, as Club Vitae can only be accessed by members and you will have to register. Remember to book your visit online or you may be refused entry. This structure also features a Jacuzzi, a steam room and a sauna.
9. Tallaght Sports Complex
Tallaght Sports Complex is situated inside Tallaght Community School in Balrothery. During the week, this pool is open from 7.00 am to 10 pm but during the weekend the schedule changes. According to reviews, the pool is clean and its staff is friendly.
10. Sports and Fitness Markievicz
Sports and Fitness Markievicz is situated in the heart of Dublin, on Luke Street, at a five-minute walking distance from Trinity College. The pool opens at 7 am from Monday to Friday and at 10 am on Saturday. According to reviews, this site features a 25-meter pool and its staff is always available for help.
FAQs about public swimming pools in Dublin
We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘Are there pay as you go swimming pools in Dublin?’ to ‘Which facilities are the fanciest?’.
In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.
What are the best swimming pools in North Dublin?
In our opinion, the best public swimming pools in Dublin North are the ones in Portmarnock Leisure Club, ALSAA and the National Aquatic Centre.
What are the best swimming pools in South Dublin?
Crumlin Swimming Pool, Tempelogue College Swimming Pool and Enable Ireland Swimming Pool are arguably three of the most popular.
Sarah Smith
Tuesday 21st of June 2022
Good morning, Are there any pools that feature women-only hours close to St. Vincent's Hospital (for religious women)? Thank you for providing all this information-it is greatly appreciated!