Press Statement
From: Kieran O’Donnell TD
Monday 12th April 2021
New Council Study Signals Clear Waters Ahead for the Revival of Corbally Baths – O’Donnell
- JBA Consulting, appointed by Limerick City & Council carrying out technical assessment Study of the current situation, including water quality at the Corbally Baths and advise on costed feasible remedial solutions and/or investigate works
- Clear formal process now established to progress the reopening of the landmark Corbally Baths
- Deputy O’Donnell has been working on restoring Corbally Baths and Christmas day swim since 2019 with members of Limerick Narwhals
- The 75th anniversary of the opening of the Corbally Baths occurs just next year, in 2022
Limerick Fine Gael TD Kieran O’Donnell has welcomed a new Limerick City and County Council study at Corbally baths which is being heralded as the start of a formal process for the revival of this landmark public swimming amenity, which generations of Limerick people enjoyed. This will involve Council recently appointed water and environmental Consultants, “JBA Consulting” carrying out a technical assessment of the current situation, including water quality and advise on costed feasible remedial solutions and/or investigate works where applicable.
“I am delighted to welcome that Limerick City and County Council, following my direct request, have JBA Consulting conducting a major study, including water quality at the landmark Corbally Baths swimming amenity. This marks a major step forward in the process of reviving the Baths which generations of Limerick people have enjoyed over the years.
“I have arranged and held a number of meetings with Limerick City & County Council officials and Limerick Narwhals swimming club on site to look at the feasibility of the restoration of the Corbally baths as well as the very popular Christmas Day Swim. Following these direct engagements, I am very pleased that the Council have agreed to include Corbally Baths in their “Strategic Assessment of Storm and Surface Water Collection Networks for Limerick City & Environs” which is now being undertaken by JBA Consulting as part of the next Limerick Development Plan 2022-2028 process.
“In February, JBA Consulting were appointed by Limerick City & County Council and their work includes carrying out a technical assessment of the current situation at Corbally baths and advise on costed feasible remedial solutions and/or investigate works where applicable (See Note to Editor Below). These works have now got underway, with a final report to issue by August.
“The revival of Corbally Baths is a project I have been working on since 2019 along with winter swimmers Mark Dempsey and John Ryan of Limerick Narwhals as well many Corbally Bath enthusiasts and campaigners.
“I was approached by Limerick Narwhals in 2019 who were looking to revive the Christmas Day swim tradition at Corbally Baths as well as restoring the Baths themselves as a great public amenity.
“The Corbally baths Christmas Day swim was an annual feature in the Limerick calendar up to 2007 and is remembered fondly by many.
On Saturday 10th April last, I met on site with Mark Dempsey of Limerick Narwhals, local river expert Pat Lysaght and other members of Corbally Baths Campaigners to identify areas in and around the Baths that may be contributing to poor water quality which we have now fed back into the assessment the Council and JBA Consulting are carrying out. We look forward to continuing our engagement with the Council and JBA Consulting on progressing this great project.
“Monitored water quality near Corbally Baths has been shown to deteriorate significantly following the first flush of rainfall events and there are concerns therefore with respect to possible risk from cross-connections and (Combined Sewer Overflow) CSO’s within the surrounding local catchment.
“There is an overwhelming positive public response in Limerick for the return of the baths as a public swimming amenity. When restored these baths would once again become a landmark attraction for recreation which is so important in these times as well as being a wonderful tourism attraction.
“The 75th anniversary of the opening of the Corbally Baths occurs just next year, in 2022. This presents us with a fantastic an unique opportunity for the re-opening of the baths and an acknowledgment of the glory years of river swimming in Limerick.
“Clearly, before anything is considered around the restoration of the Corbally baths itself, consultation with local residents on the Mill road and community groups must be the first priority.
END.
Note to Editor: Limerick City & County Council’s Strategic Assessment of Storm and Surface Water Collection Networks for Limerick City & Environs; Section dealing with Specific Consultancy Works for Corbally Baths
3.6.6 – Corbally Baths:
Available site specific study/survey information synopsis; background water quality results relative to Corbally Baths are available from Limerick City & County Council Environment Department. No previous site-specific study/survey report information is available.
Monitored water quality near Corbally Baths has been shown to deteriorate significantly following the first flush of rainfall events and there are concerns therefore with respect to possible risk from cross-connections and (combined sewer overflow) CSO’s within the surrounding local catchment.
The successful Consultant(s) will be required to carry out a technical assessment of the current situation and advise on costed feasible remedial solutions and/or investigate works where applicable.