All-weather changing facilities are to be installed at more than 20 swimming locations around the country as part of a €19 million Failte Ireland project.
The tourism body has revealed the 22 locations in 13 counties around the country.
The sites are spread across the country, from the Docklands in Dublin to Enniscrone Beach in Co Sligo.
Tourism Minister Catherine Martin said they will be a big boost to areas where water-based activities are popular.
"During COVID we've seen a significant upward growth in people enjoying these outdoor, water-based activities.
"This is to ensure that that experience meets and exceeds visitor expectation - and of course it's a much-needed support for the activity tourism businesses.
"Supporting these activity tourism businesses and enhancing that tourism economy in rural communities right across the country is a key commitment in the Programme for Government.
"But I think it's even more apt and needed now more than ever because of COVID, and the impact on the tourism businesses."
On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Fáilte Ireland spokesperson Fiona Monaghan said the buildings will be installed at “beaches, inland waterways and canals” in both urban and rural locations.
“The facilities are all-weather facilities so they are going to be unlike anything we currently have in Ireland and they will be a combination of what people may be used to seeing around the world.
“Basically, there will be an enclosed section to the building but it will be open on many sides.
“It will contain a number of showers, toilets, secure lockers and storage so people can leave their personal belongings while they are participating in their water-based activity.
“There will be an orientation area where visitors to the area who may not be familiar can understand what other things there are to do and see.
“There will also be a space where local activity providers can meet their clients, induct them before they take to the water with safety briefings and just give the main idea of what the experience will be like.”
Sea-Swimming
Ms Monaghan said the buildings will have grass roofs and will be open on many sides.
“There will be enough protection from the elements so that, when you are changing on a wild day on the west of Ireland, you won’t be freezing – or at least you won’t be as cold and you’ll have that hot shower at the end of it.
There will be a fee to use some of the facilities on offer – including the hot showers.
“If you decide you do want to have that hot shower there will be a nominal fee but that will only go towards the upkeep and the maintenance of the building,” she said.
“I think we have really seen a massive upsurge in people taking to our waterways in the last 12 months in particular.
“Anyone that is fortunate enough to have a body of water within their 5km, they have become the hottest place in the country to be meeting and enjoying your activities so they do recognise that these have to be maintained to the highest of standards.
"Instantly recognisable"
She said they will become “instantly recognisable” to tourists.
“If you happen to visit one in a particular location, when you are on your travels you will automatically know, there is one of those fabulous activity buildings,” she said.
“You’ll be guaranteed your hot shower, your safe and secure lockers and your washdown facility for your equipment.”
The full list of locations getting new facilities is:
- Docklands Water Sports, North Wall Quay, Pontoons, Dublin 1
- DLRCC Killiney Beach Facilities Project, Killiney Beach, Killiney, Co Dublin
- Claycastle Sports Activity Facility, Claycastle, Youghal, Co. Cork
- Kilkenny Water Sports Hub, County Hall, John St, Kilkenny
- Tramore Water-Sports Activity Facility Centre, Promenade, Tramore, Co. Waterford
- Ardmore Water-Sports Activity Facility Centre, Public Car Park, Cois Tra, Ardmore, Co Waterford
- Curracloe Water Sports Activity Centre, Whitegap, Curracloe, Co. Wexford
- Ballycuggeran Sports Activity Facility, Ogonnelloe, Killaloe, Co. Clare
- Acres Lake Activity Facility, Acres Lake, Drumshambo, Co. Leitrim
- Dromineer Sports Activity Facility, Dromineer, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary
- Kilkee Waterworld Activity Facilities, Waterworld, East End, Kilkee, Co. Clare
- GarryLucas Beach, Ballinspittle, Co Cork
- Tullan Strand Centre for Water Sports Activities Bundoran, Drumacrin, Tullan, Strand, Bundoran, Co Donegal
- Downings Water Sports Activity Facility, Cnoc Na Muirleog, Na Muirleog, Na Dunaibh, Co Donegal
- Corrib Sports & Adventure, Dyke Road, Terryland, Galway
- Ballybunion Beach Shared Facilities Centre, Men's (South) Beach, Ballybunion, Co Kerry
- Fenit Beach Shared Facility Centre, Fenit Beach, Fenit, Co. Kerry
- Magherabeg Shared Facilities Centre, Magherabeg Lower, Castlegregory, Co Kerry
- Keel Facility Centre for Water Sports Activities, Keel Sandybanks, Achill Island, Co. Mayo
- Carrowmore Beach, Louisburgh, Co Mayo
- Enniscrone Beach, Mackduff, Enniscrone , Co Sligo
- Rosses Point, County Sligo
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