Portrush Blue Pool Repairs Backed By Council Committee

A proposal to repair concrete surfaces and reinstate an access ladder at Portrush’s Blue Pool has been backed by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Leisure and Development Committee.

The motion passed on Tuesday evening and remains subject to ratification at full council on Tuesday, 3 November 2026.

Proposed by Alderman Mark Fielding and seconded by Alderman Sharon McKillop, it calls for improvements to help swimmers enter and leave the pool safely while preserving its bathing heritage.

Speaking at the meeting, Alderman Fielding said the tidal rock pool had a long association with swimming, with large crowds once gathering to watch swimming performances.

He said the ladder previously used to access the water was no longer in place, while interest in the location had grown alongside an increase in sea swimming in Portrush and Portstewart since 2021.

A heritage interpretation sign tracing the pool’s history was installed at Bath Terrace in June. It was unveiled by the mayor and Dr Alec Lyons of Portrush Heritage Group.

Alderman Fielding praised the group’s work over the past decade in preserving the town’s history through historical information, photographs and heritage trails.

“The heritage sign helps us understand the past. Looking after the pool helps restore our bathing heritage,” he said.

He told the committee that reinstating the ladder would also require repairs to concrete surfaces and improvements to access arrangements.

However, he acknowledged that the proposed work would not eliminate the dangers associated with swimming.

“No repair or ladder can remove all the risks associated with swimming,” he said.

Alderman Fielding pointed to similar work carried out in 2021 at Portnahapple, a tidal rock pool in Portstewart, where an access ladder was reinstated.

He said improvements at the Blue Pool would help preserve its bathing tradition for future generations.

Seconding the motion, Alderman Sharon McKillop described the Blue Pool as a “vital part of our rich coastal and bathing heritage”.

She said restoring it would bring back memories for some and create new ones for others, while responding to growing community demand.

Alderman McKillop said the improvements would make better use of the area’s natural coastal assets, supporting both tourism and local swimmers.

She also highlighted the potential health and wellbeing benefits of sea swimming and urged members to support the proposal.