Plans for better amenities for popular Clare beaches met with mixed responses

With sea swimming surging and off-season tourism on the rise, Clare’s most visited beaches have become the focus of renewed calls for long-awaited amenity upgrades.

In Lahinch, sea swimmers are seeking modern shelter and shower facilities, while in Kilkee, pressure is mounting for extended public toilet access as winter footfall continues to grow.

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At the November meeting of the West Clare Municipal District (MD), Fine Gael councillor Bill Slattery, on behalf of the Lahinch sea swimmers community, requesting a changing shelter and solar-powered showers near the lifeguard station.

He said the facilities would provide protection from “prevailing winds” and help enhance Lahinch’s reputation as a "modern and welcoming seaside destination".

Cllr Slattery said Lahinch is now busy with swimmers “from morning to night,” noting that people as old as 83 take part, a local swimming club meets daily at noon, and remote workers even come down on their lunch breaks “for a swim.”

Currently, as there is no changing shelter people are having to change at the cars on the busy promenade, Cllr Slattery noted that 20 years ago there used to be a changing shelter at the end of the promenade, but it is no longer used due to unsociable behaviour and it "being used as a toilet".

Cllr Slattery welcomed confirmation from Eoin Troy, Senior Executive for West Clare MD (Ennistymon LEA) that funding has been secured for the construction of a swim shelter in Lahinch.

Mr Troy explained that under the funding received from the Healthy Ireland Outdoor Swimming Infrastructure Capital Fund, two further swim shelters will be installed in North Clare, one at White Strand and one in Miltown Malbay beaches.

He also confirmed that the MD will "investigate the feasibility of installing solar-powered showers in Lahinch".

Fianna Fáil councillor Shane Talty supported the motion but questioned the potential timeline until they are installed, highlighting that an elderly swimmer told him of "her fear that will she still be an active swimmer by the time we [the MD] get to deliver something".

Cllr Talty was reassured that the proposed changing shelters in Lahinch should begin construction within the first six months of 2026 beside the existing showers, the MD were also told of the hope that something can be done with solar panels to bring hot water to these facilities.

Beach amenities in Kilkee were also highlighted at the meeting with, Cllr Michael Shannon calling on the MD to "increase the availability of the Public Toilets in Kilkee from 8am to 6pm in winter and especially on weekends and Public holidays."

He explained how over recent bank holiday weekends he has received numerous calls of people upset because the public toilets were locked.

Cllr Michael Shannon called for greater flexibility in facility opening times to match the rising number of year-round sea swimmers.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Rita McInerney seconded the motion, noting that increased use of Kilkee Pier, the new sauna, and the Kilkee Cliff Walks means both locals and tourists now rely more heavily on the public toilets, even outside the peak summer season.

Alan Kennelly, Senior Executive Engineer for West Clare MD (Kilrush LEA), said Kilkee has two public toilets open year-round at Diamond Rocks/West End and the square (JC DeCaux Superloo).

During the summer, additional blocks on the promenade and in the East End car park are maintained by seasonal Beach Operatives.

He added that two former roads crew members who managed off-season caretaking have retired, and the Municipal District is exploring alternatives, including possibly incentivising volunteers, as hiring a private company is not currently feasible.