New water sports activity centre on the Liffey launches in Dublin city centre
A new water sports centre on the River Liffey has been officially launched at Custom House Quay in the city centre.
The Dublin City Council (DCC) facility will become fully accessible to the public in March 2026, when a range of water-based activities will become available.
Various water sports are currently being trialled with sports clubs and interested parties, with the final decision on which ones to be included arising out of demand and feedback.
Among the activities being trialled are kayaking, rowing, paddle boarding and hydrobikes.
Operator Swan Leisure said it would like as many of these as possible to be available to the public by the time March rolls around.
The not-for-profit firm also manages a swimming pool in Lucan and a fitness centre in Rathmines on behalf of DCC.
“When we figure out what activities work and which groups are looking for different ones, then we’re going to create different programmes for each of the different user groups,” said Clodagh Kilmurray, CEO of Swan Leisure.
She is particularly interested in arranging water-based activities for people who feel the river isn’t usually accessible to them, like older people or those with disabilities.
“In March 2026 we’ll have a full programme. We’ll have a calendar of events throughout the year, and programmes will be running on a daily basis. We’re hoping to have things available seven days a week,” she said.
Ms Kilmurray said the facility wouldn’t be restricted to just water sports, with a series of environmental talks also being planned for the space.
Along with a new water sports centre, the €23m project includes a new floating pontoon and a small local government office alongside it.
Lord Mayor of Dublin Ray McAdam at the new water sports centre on the river Liffey
Regeneration of the surrounding quayside area is also part of the scheme, with a new extended boardwalk and riverside seating.
Two timber-framed shelters have also been built alongside the water, one on the new floating pontoon and the other beside the nearby Jeanie Johnston ship.
Speaking at the launch, Lord Mayor Ray McAdam said the new project would serve as a “hub for promoting healthy lifestyles and wellness across all ages”.
“The docklands office will provide an important civic presence, while the water sports centre invites Dubliners to rediscover the Liffey as a space for activity, learning, and enjoyment,” he said.
To celebrate the launch, a number of councillors, council staff and students were in attendance and availing of the new sports facilities.
The future of the nearby George’s Dock site, previously the proposed spot for a white water rafting centre, is still up in the air, with various proposals from a Lido to an events space being considered.
Chief executive of DCC, Richard Shakespeare, said he had heard many pitches for the area over the last number of months.
The council was now in the process of assessing the viability of each, bearing in mind that they would likely need to borrow funds for whatever is put there.