THE Dublin swim spot loved by celebs has gotten a major €20,000 upgrade.
The Forty Foot is a hugely popular swimming spot located at Sandycove in Co. Dublin.
And it has recently got a major upgrade with new outdoor showers[/caption]
DLR Sports Partnership and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council have announced the opening of new outdoor showers at The Forty Foot bathing area.
The popular spot has recently been made famous on the big screen as a location in Bad Sisters.
In the 2023 documentary film, Bono & The Edge: A Sort of Homecoming, With Dave Letterman, the US TV host visits the location.
It ended up serving as inspiration for the composition of a song by Bono and the Edge called 40 Foot Man featured in the credits of show.
Other top celebs such as Matt Damon and Sam Smith have also visited the spot while in Ireland.
The major €20,000 grant was secured by DLR Sports Partnership through the Healthy Ireland Outdoor Swimming Infrastructure Fund – which is administered by Sport Ireland.
The grant aims to help the National Swimming Strategy and encourage more people to participate in water sports, especially outdoor swimming.
Cllr Jim O’Leary, Cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, believes the upgraded facility will be a fantastic addition to the iconic Forty Foot location.
He said: “Sea swimming is an integral part of life in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown.
“Even those who don’t or can’t swim themselves enjoy watching other brave souls enter the water for a rejuvenating dip.
“There were no showers in this location, so the upgraded facility will be a great addition to The Forty Foot.”
This new facility will cater to everyone from weekend visitors to long-time locals and swimming clubs – offering a better experience for the thousands who swim here each year.
Sea swimming at The Forty Foot has been a tradition since the 19th century, drawing swimmers of all abilities to enjoy the benefits of the open water.
As part of the project, the previously unused Forty Foot Hut has been fully renovated into the outdoor showers while maintaining the area’s important architectural features.
For more details about the new showers or other sports-related inquiries, you can visit the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Sports Partnership website at www.dlrsportspartnership.ie.
Jellyfish alert for swimmers
This comes after a popular Irish swimming spot has been issued with a major “red alert” after scientists spotted a swarm of rare jellyfish with a “painful sting” in the area.
Lough Hyne in West Cork has seen an influx of Pelagia noctiluca jellyfish – a species commonly known as the Portuguese Man of War.
Scientists from University College Cork identified the creature and noted that it has a very painful sting.
Although the spot is popular among swimmers, visitors have been warned to stay out of the water while they are there.
Swimming in the lough could risk getting a painful sting.
Skiberdeen Heritage Centre took to social media to urge people to spread the word.
Posting on Facebook, they said: “RED ALERT for Lough Hyne!
“UCC scientists have been in touch to say that there is an influx of stinging jellyfish in the Lough (Pelagia noctiluca) and it is not advisable to swim in the lough while they are there as it would be a very painful sting.”
