Over €1 million total investment in Shannonbridge Floating Jetty and Banagher Open Water Pool projects
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD, officially opened two new regenerative tourism projects along the River Shannon.
Two projects, a floating jetty at Shannonbridge Marina and the redeveloped Banagher Open Water Pool, were delivered through Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme, which is co funded by the Government of Ireland and the European through the EU Just Transition Fund. The new developments enhance the visitor experience along the River Shannon, support water-based recreation and strengthen the appeal of the region for both international and domestic visitors.
Banagher Open Water Pool
€772,700 rejuvenated Banagher Open Water Pool provides accessible, year-round open water swimming experience
Delivered by the Shannon Bank Park Trustees Community Group in partnership with Fáilte Ireland, the newly redeveloped Banagher Open Water Pool provides a best-in-class, year-round open water swimming amenity for the local community and visitors alike.
The project received €616,700 in funding through Fáilte Ireland’s Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Private and Community SMEs. The local community in Banagher raised €156,000, in match funding, reflecting strong local commitment to the redevelopment.
Central to the project is a new 25 metre floating open water swimming pool, designed to adapt to fluctuating river levels and improve access for swimmers of all ages and abilities. The facility also includes a dedicated children’s area, a safe access zone, a canoe launch area and a recreational seating area with sheltered pods on the pontoon.
The newly enhanced amenity ensures a safe, inclusive and accessible open water swimming experience, strengthening Banagher’s reputation as a destination for outdoor recreation and water-based tourism along the River Shannon for both domestic and international visitors.
Shannonbridge Floating Jetty
New €310,000 floating jetty delivers increased mooring capacity, improved accessibility and enhanced access at Shannonbridge Marina
Also officially opened today was the new floating jetty at Shannonbridge Marina, developed by Waterways Ireland in partnership with Fáilte Ireland. The new infrastructure increases mooring capacity while enhancing accessibility and safety for recreational water-based activities along the River Shannon.
Waterways Ireland was awarded €150,000 in funding through Fáilte Ireland’s Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Strategic Partners. Waterways Ireland invested a further €160,000 in funding for this project.
The development centres on a new floating jetty with guide piles, providing 12 additional berths alongside dedicated access for canoe and kayak users. Enhanced safety and accessibility features include new pathways and access ramps, navigation markers, improved lighting, safety ladders and life rings, creating a safer and more inclusive experience for both the local community and visitors.
Improved access and increased mooring capacity at Shannonbridge will encourage more visitors to explore the wider region via the River Shannon, giving them more reasons to stay longer while driving footfall for local businesses and communities.
Speaking at the official openings, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD said:
“I’m pleased to officially open these two important regenerative tourism projects along the River Shannon today. The redevelopment of Banagher Open Water Pool and the new floating jetty at Shannonbridge are excellent examples of how targeted investment through the EU Just Transition Fund and Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme is delivering real, tangible benefits for communities across the midlands.
These projects enhance our natural assets, support outdoor recreation and water-based tourism, and create new opportunities for communities and local businesses to thrive. Through strong local partnerships and significant community commitment, we are seeing how this funding is helping to build a more sustainable, resilient and vibrant future for the region, while strengthening the River Shannon as a key tourism asset for visitors from Ireland and overseas. I look forward to seeing more projects come to life in the coming months under this scheme.”
CEO of Fáilte Ireland, Caroline Bocquel said:
“The opening of these two significant projects clearly demonstrates the transformative impact that Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme and the EU Just Transition Fund are having across the midlands.
This investment of over €1 million across both regenerative tourism initiatives helps to maximise one of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands’ key natural assets, the River Shannon. By developing tourism amenities with a strong focus on accessibility and sustainable, water-based recreation, this investment is strengthening the appeal of the region for both domestic and international visitors.Tog
ether, these projects are giving visitors compelling reasons to explore the midlands, encouraging longer stays and stronger engagement with the region, while delivering meaningful social and economic benefits for local communities and businesses.
We look forward to continuing our close collaboration with local tourism businesses and communities, strategic partners, the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) and the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to deliver further regenerative tourism projects that will help build a more resilient, competitive and vibrant future for the midlands.”
Clare Bannon, Director of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA), said:
“EMRA is delighted to see the official opening of these two projects in Banagher and Shannonbridge and commends the commitment and collaboration of the local communities, delivery partners and Fáilte Ireland in bringing them to fruition with the support of the EU Just Transition Fund Programme.
Amenities such as the Banagher Open Water Pool and the new marina infrastructure at Shannonbridge play a vital role in strengthening communities and enhancing the character and liveability of towns along the River Shannon. As Managing Authority, EMRA is proud to support initiatives that create high‑quality, inclusive and sustainable places, while making best use of local natural assets.
By improving quality of life for residents and enhancing the visitor experience, projects like these contribute not only to regenerative tourism, but also to wider economic and social transformation, supporting local enterprise, encouraging investment and delivering long‑term benefits for communities across the Midlands.”
John Butler, Shannon Bank Park Trustees Community Group said:
“We are delighted to have our new outdoor pool officially opened today. This is the culmination of a number of years of hard work and dedication by a group of volunteers who have demonstrated a deep commitment to the delivery of this project. The Shannon Bank Park has been in community ownership since 1955 and this development will provide an iconic and fully accessible outdoor swimming facility for further generations throughout the region.
We as a community are planning further development in the park and other projects in the town and we will gain confidence and determination to continue to work with our partners in the local authorities and other state support agencies.”
John Mc Donagh, Chief Executive, Waterways Ireland, said
“Waterways Ireland’s long term strategic partnership with Fáilte Ireland continues to enable us to deliver new and additional international standard facilities for the tourism industry on the Shannon to grow their businesses. The Shannon Tourism Masterplan has been strategic in ensuring facilities are placed where they are needed. The EU Just Transition Fund and Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme has made this investment in Shannonbridge possible on a 50/50 basis and we know the local community and tourism industry will welcome the increase in mooring capacity here for tourism and recreation.”
Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien said:
“I am delighted to mark the official opening of these projects in Banagher and Shannonbridge, delivered through Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme under the EU Just Transition Fund. Since the launch of the Programme in 2023, over €120 million has been awarded to over 170 projects through 15 funding calls. This significant investment to date clearly demonstrates Government support and commitment to a just transition in the Midlands region.
The regeneration of the Banagher Open Water Pool and the new floating jetty at Shannonbridge reflect a core aim of the EU Just Transition Fund in Ireland -strengthening communities and enhancing our shared natural assets while supporting a more sustainable future for the Midlands.
These projects build on the unique relationship that communities along the River Shannon have with their environment, providing high‑quality, accessible amenities that will benefit local residents and visitors alike. I look forward to seeing the positive and lasting impact they will bring to Banagher, Shannonbridge and the wider region.”
Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme
Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme aims to transform tourism across eight counties in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and Ireland’s Ancient East by supporting sustainable projects that diversify local economies, create employment opportunities and deliver long term benefits for communities and the environment.
Further projects supported through the scheme are expected to be completed in the coming months.
