Swimming is one of the most popular sports in Ireland, hence it’s not uncommon to see public swimming pools available for everyone to enjoy.
Outdoor pools are mostly available in hotels, private homes, or outside of Dublin. But if you’re looking for a public swimming pool that’s open for everyone, there are a lot of indoor pools in the city to check out.
Admission Rates for Public Indoor Swimming Pools in Dublin
Please note that the rates may vary depending on the centre. This table shows the average admission rates per hour for public indoor swimming pools in the city:
Best Indoor Swimming Pools in Dublin
We’re reviewing the top public indoor swimming pools in the city based on the following:
1. UCD Swimming Pool
| Pool maintenance | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Location | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Facilities and services | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Safety practices | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
When we asked some regular patrons what’s the best thing about UCD Sports and Fitness, they told us it’s the olympic pool. UCD Swimming Pool is one of the largest indoor pools in Dublin that’s easily accessible to everyone in the area.
The only catch is—you need to become a member. If you ask us, we think it’s worth becoming one because you can enjoy not only the pool, but also the other world-class gym facilities and amenities like jacuzzi, sauna, and spacious changing rooms!
Parking might be a problem though most especially during peak hours. Most car spaces are occupied since it’s located inside a campus and there’s only a limited space for bikes.
On another note, let’s talk about the UCD swimming pool which is known for its 50-metre olympic size so there’s plenty of space for everyone even if a couple of lanes are booked. There’s also a lot of lifeguards on duty ensuring everyone’s safety.
Another thing we love is that the pool is well-maintained. The tiles are spotless and the water is always clear, indicating its cleanliness.
Speaking of water, UCD swimming pool is known for its low-chlorine content. This means the water is gentler in your skin, eyes, and hair because of its low-chemical content.
It’s also a kid-friendly place, with well-qualified instructors. There are several classes available for members as well—from fitness classes to swimming lessons!
Pros
- Great pool facilities
- Helpful staff
- Well-qualified instructors
- Well-maintained pool area
- Clean pool water
- Spacious and clean changing rooms
- Low-chlorine olympic-sized pool
- Kid-friendly facility
- Organised safety measures
- Plenty of lockers
Cons
- Not enough parking space for bikes
- Needs membership
Customer Reviews
Olympic size swimming pool with top-notch fitness facilities
It’s only missing a running track. I love the Olympic swimming pool, the sauna and jacuzzi, and the gym facilities are pretty good. Changing rooms, toilets and showers are usually quite clean. — Lilibeth Zambrano, Fit Fit Fitness
Well-ran facility with organised safety measures
Well-staffed and well-run facility. Clean and safe. 50m Olympic pool with some lanes for free swim area suitable for kids. Pool depth is 1.35m to 2.0m. A small warm 0.5m deep pool is also next to the large pool. It is suitable for small children. There is a tepidarium with dry sauna, steam sauna, jacuzzi, rest seating area, and multiple showers and an ice machine. Plenty of lifeguards in duty at all times.— Neil McGonigle, Google Reviews
2. Sport Ireland National Aquatic Centre
| Pool maintenance | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Location | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Facilities and services | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Safety practices | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
What makes Sport Ireland National Aquatic Centre worth visiting is that it’s open for everyone. We love that you don’t need a membership to enjoy the indoor pools or other facilities—you can just go there and enjoy which amenity you want to use!
We also love that there are a lot of other activities to enjoy in the centre including fitness facilities, sports facilities, and the Aquazone waterpark. The kids will definitely enjoy the water slides and a big wave pool!
Speaking of pools, Sport Ireland has large competition indoor pools for everyone. If you arrive early, before noon, the place is much less crowded and you can enjoy the pools without too much competition for space.
During noon is the centre’s peak hours, and you’ll find yourself queuing for the use of the pool. So we really suggest coming in early to make sure you can do a few laps before it gets super crowded.
Another thing worth noting—some visitors told us that the staff are very accommodating and helpful. The facility has a strict rule of wearing a cap while swimming, but the staff will not hesitate to loan you if you forgot yours!
The pricing is reasonable as well, so you don’t need to spend too much just for admission. Safety around the well-maintained pools is assured as well because there are plenty of lifeguards around.
Just a warning—the place doesn’t accept cash. You also need to prepare a few coins for the lockers to work.
Pros
- Has plenty of lifeguards
- Aquazone waterpark
- Well-maintained and clean pool
- Opens early
- Suitable for kids with water slides and a big wave pool
- Professional and accommodating staff
- Reasonable price
- No membership needed
- Lower fees for members
- Not too crowded
Cons
- Long queue at noon
- Doesn’t accept cash
- Needs a Euro coin for the locker rooms
Customer Reviews
Impressive pool with fair rates
The pool is seriously impressive. 10 full lanes, x50m (though at certain times it is split into a 25m pool). Excellent facility, very fair pricing. For info you have to wear a swimming hat and you need €1 coins for the lockers. Was very quiet when we came but I guess it gets a lot busier at certain times. Overall though a very impressive facility.— Niall B, Google Reviews
Perfect venue for all types of swimmers—beginners or experts
Great training venue for swimmers/ triathletes. Open to the public most days during the year. €8 gets you 3 full hours in the Olympic 50m/25 metre pool. 8 lanes open from 6:00 so you can jump in with very fast master swimmers or people who are just swimming casually like a regular person. Excellent changing facilities – just remember to bring a €1 coin to secure a locker. Spotless throughout . Reception is very helpful for noobs. Decent coffee in the reception cafe from 08:30. — Stephen Moffatt, Google Reviews
3. Aura De Paul Swimming Pool
| Pool maintenance | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Location | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Facilities and services | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Safety practices | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Aura De Paul Swimming Pool is an indoor pool that’s easily accessible to anyone, hence, it’s a popular destination for swimmers in Dublin. The place is a little old, but it still has functional and clean facilities for people to enjoy.
What we love about the place is that it has a space for both beginner swimmers and professional swimmers. In fact, there are lanes for those who want to do long laps in the indoor pool while the others are doing lessons or just swimming around.
Speaking of lessons, Aura De Paul offers swim lessons for kids and adults. According to several locals we talked to, they’ve been bringing their kids to the facility for years because they love the consistency of the lessons and the competent instructors.
We also love Aura De Paul’s open swim sessions. So even if you’re a non-member, you can use the pool and take a few laps—just take note of the time as there are specific times for different purposes.
Rates-wise, Aura De Paul offers affordable sessions for everyone. While some of its facilities need upgrading, the place is still full of well-maintained, clean amenities and helpful and friendly staff that makes the price more than worth it.
Early morning is the perfect time to go if you don’t want any crowds. If you can’t afford to go early, you might need to wait long because busy hours start at noon!
Pros
- Open swim sessions for non-members
- Great instructors
- Clean and lovely pool
- Comfortable changing rooms
- Family-friendly place
- Helpful and friendly staff
- Affordable price
- Perfect for professionals and beginners
Cons
- Need upgrade for some facilities
- Tends to get really busy and full
Customer Reviews
Family-friendly facilities
Great swimming pool on the Navan Road, recently fully refurbished. Their kids swimming lessons are highly recommended. They also have open swim sessions where non- members can come for a splash around. Family changing rooms make it easier to keep the small ones under control. — Paul A, Yelp
Has space for both beginner and professional swimmers
Family friendly pool with laned off area for people to do lengths. Brought our 5 month old for his first swim and it was a breeze, he loved it! Great place for families, you might find better for serious swimmers/exercise but has that option too. — Peter McGrath, Google Reviews
4. Terenure College Swimming Pool
| Pool maintenance | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Location | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Facilities and services | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Safety practices | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
There are plenty of reasons why we think Terenure College Swimming Pool’s is one of the best public indoor swimming pools in Dublin. But maybe we can start with the instructors because they’re all the locals talk about!
First of all, you need to know that a lot of parents in the area bring their kids here for swim lessons. According to them, the instructors have a brilliant way of teaching the kids—they’re also patient, friendly, and always put the safety of the kids first.
Second, other than having lessons, we love that the place is also great for professional swimmers. Most adults go here to practise their strokes and techniques or just to enjoy a few good laps to start their days.
Third, we also appreciate that there’s no need for membership. This is a plus for those who don’t live in the city and just pass by Dublin for a vacation!
In addition to this, people around the area told us the pool can be booked for personal use. In fact, they usually reserve the indoor pool for a gathering, bringing their families to enjoy a few hours of swimming.
Lastly, we appreciate how well they maintain the place. The pool, the pool area, the facilities, and the changing rooms are all clean, assuring you of the hygiene and regular sanitation of the place.
Just one thing we’re disappointed about is that sometimes the facility opens late. This inconveniences a lot of people who get up early for a good morning swim.
Pros
- Warm and clean pool
- Prime location
- Easy parking
- Perfect for swimming practise
- Has great instructors for lessons
- No need for membership
- Clean changing rooms and restrooms
Cons
- Too many people on lanes during peak hours
- Opens late at times
Customer Reviews
Well-maintained and clean pool and facilities
While small and unseemly, this swimming pool is actually a high standard pool. The hygiene of both the water and changing rooms is always kept at a very high standard and is in general just a very nice pool. — John Newman, Google Reviews
Prime location with plenty of parking spaces
The pool is nice for practising. The staff and the instructor are very friendly and responsive. Its ideally located, close to my place, have ample parking spaces.— Lakshman Pusarapu, Google Reviews
5. Swan Leisure
| Pool maintenance | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Location | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Facilities and services | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Safety practices | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
According to the locals we talked to, Swan Leisure is an indoor pool open for everyone, hence it’s very popular in the area. In fact, it gets really full and crowded easily, so if you want to enjoy the pool with less people in the water, better get there early!
One thing we appreciate about Swan Leisure is that it’s very dedicated to making sure their facilities are perfect for everyone. It just recently opened again due to renovations, and according to patrons, the improvements are amazing!
The newly refurbished pool and upgraded facilities are more enjoyable to use. They’re still also kept clean, assuring the visitors of the hygiene practices of the place.
We also like that the place offers lessons for those who need help with swimming. The instructors remain some of the best in Dublin and are very encouraging and patient, most especially to kids.
Speaking of kids—we want to commend Swan Leisure for being accommodating to all visitors. According to a parent, his child has special needs, and the staff make sure to accommodate all the adjustments the kid needs while attending lessons.
The only problem we see though is that the pool is small, and the open space is sometimes used to accommodate swimming lessons. It inconveniences some patrons who go there to swim and relax in the water.
Pros
- Clean changing rooms
- Regularly maintained pool
- Friendly staff
- Family-friendly
- Great instructors
- Accommodates kids with special needs
- Fully functioning facilities
Cons
- Small pool
- Can get a little too crowded in the shower room
- Parking is always full
Customer Reviews
Great newly renovated pool and facilities
The pool has reopened and it is lovely. There’s a shallow end and a deep end, but watch out for the black line because it’s not a gradual change of depth. Had a lovely swim. Facilities are great. Could do with a few more towel hooks in the showers but other than that it is great and everyone is friendly. — Suzanne Kenny, Google Reviews
Accommodates kids with special needs
The pool is fab, my son does his swim lessons once a week here for children with special needs. The staff are always amazing, they go above & beyond! — Louise Coss, Google Reviews
FAQs About Swimming Pools in Dublin
There are a lot of things to do in Dublin whether you’re a tourist or a local, and swimming is a sport you can enjoy with friends or family. If you want to try other fun sports in the city, visit the Top Bowling Centres in Dublin.