The ribbon was cut yesterday (Monday 14th July) on the new extension and refurbishments at Bundoran Waterworld. The owners of the facility, Donegal County Council, committed over €2m to upgrade the popular attraction including the addition of a new entrance hall, refurbishment of the changing village and installation of a new air handling unit.
Works began officially once the 2024 season closed in September and have been ongoing across the winter months. The front of the building has been extended to allow for a more comfortable and easier floway for customers entering, while the changing village now extends to the width of the building with a threefold increase in the number of changing cubicles, 280 lockers and Bundoran’s first “Changing Places” facility. An upgrade to disabled access throughout the changing village will also ensure full accessibility for guests.
Some of the guests at the official opening - pic Clive Wasson Photography
Grants from SEAI (Pathfinder Programme) have also been utilised to ensure the facility’s air handling unit regulates the temperature on both hot and cooler days. The new air handling units will significantly decrease the energy consumption for Waterworld as a whole.
The official opening was performed by Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr Paul Canning who said ‘Waterworld is synonymous with Bundoran and Donegal and it’s to its credit that it has stood the test of time and remains as popular as ever attracting over 50,000 guests annually. It is my great pleasure to officially open the new extension and refurbishment today and commend the hard work and planning that has gone into extending and modernising the facility and futureproofing Waterworld for many years to come. As tourist’s pockets are getting tighter, it’s so important that we can provide top class tourism attractions like Waterworld that are value for money and accessible by the whole family.’
Also present was Chief Executive of Donegal County Council and Chair of Donegal Tourism CLG, John G McLaughlin who commented ‘Bundoran Waterworld is one of the county’s key leisure facilities and the investment from Donegal County Council reaffirms the commitment to Bundoran as an important and strategic tourism offering for county Donegal. I’m delighted to see the more than €2m of investment coming to life today and I wish Aine and her team the very best for the 2025 season.’
Chair of Bundoran Waterworld CLG Cllr Michael McMahon addresses the assembled crowd at the opening - pic Clive Wasson Photography
Cllr Micheal McMahon, Chair of Bundoran Waterworld CLG paid tribute to the staff and contractors who have worked tirelessly to ensure that the facility was open on time to allow the first guests through last Friday ‘Having Waterworld open again will provide a big boost to the Bundoran economy and we wish the team well for the season. I’d like to commend Aine and the team here at Waterworld as well as the architects Allan Curran, contractors Creighan Contracts Ltd, their team and GMG Mechanical Services and their team as well as the staff of Donegal County Council who have worked through all weathers since last September. Planning a refurbishment and extension is no mean feat and to have it done in time for the season opening is testament to their hard work and dedication. Well done to everyone involved.’
The Waterworld Board 2025 with Cathaoirleach Cllr Paul Canning - Back row L-R Barry Sweeney, PJ Delaney, Cllr Paul Canning, Frankie O'Gorman, Garry Martin (Donegal County Council). Front row L-R - Cllr Micheál Naughton, Cllr Michael McMahon (Chair of Bundoran Waterworld CLG), Evelyn Sharpe (Bundoran Waterworld CLG Company Secretary) - pic Clive Wasson Photography
Waterworld is open daily throughout July and August with booking advisable and available at
https://waterworldbundoran.com/booking/