|
|
Post by Matt McNamara on Aug 17, 2012 21:28:52 GMT
Some photographs of soldiers under instruction at the Curragh Swimming Pool Matt |
|
|
|
Post by carmelkearney on Aug 18, 2012 9:22:51 GMT
I remember all the benches and the steps down ( i would never have been very brave with water) will never forget slipping in (running no doubt) near the deep end dont know who got me out never forgot that awful feelin of not being able to breath while people beat my back. Im sure it was a lot cleaner than that when we used it .
Carmel Kearney
|
|
|
|
Post by johnnykelly on Aug 18, 2012 23:51:42 GMT
Re:The Curragh Swimming Pool
Hi all
nice to see some old photos of the old swimming pool with soldiers under instruction, the Instructor in the photo is none other than Sgt Pete Madden who lived across the road from the pol, and was one of the top swimming coaches around at the time. the level of water seems very low and is probably being emptied for cleaning/painting, i remember as a kid pulling out the benches out from the walls and diving in off the top seat, and as for the diving boards always up against the wall when ever us terrors were in swimming but on occasions they were left down and manys the belly flop was performed off them, and dare we mention the odd bomb dive off same at the risk of a weeks ban for same,Billy Hyland will remember the good old days as we trounced up and down the pool on manys the winter night (thursdays) with the swimming club it was so cold that we would have easily survived the sinking of the Titanic. bye for now keep well all.
Johnny
|
|
|
|
Post by fashion conscious on Aug 19, 2012 12:00:31 GMT
were those the good old army issue swimming togs i wonder.the ones i was issued with went from locker to kit inspection back to locker.never saw outdoors,or water.i bought the trunks i went swimming in.
|
|
|
|
Post by kelly on Aug 20, 2012 11:01:09 GMT
swimming certificate, Turned up for swimming test given given old battledress uniform,old boots with string for lase,s two sizes too big,(didnt really help when swimming) helmet and
old .303 enfield rifle again with string for sling, start at deep end swim to shallow end and
back to deep end, awarded with cert for swimming in full battle kit, long since lost,
Happy Curragh days, Ex Tpr Kelly 1st Armd Sqdn.
|
|
|
|
Post by charlie004 on Aug 20, 2012 15:42:57 GMT
Is that the same pool that was there in 1967?Renewed maybe.I don't remember steps at the ""Deep End" or there being "Black Tiles".But I do remember Ex Tpr Kelly's boots.I think I worn same on my test. regards to all.
Charlie.
|
|
|
|
Post by johnnykelly on Aug 21, 2012 21:28:16 GMT
Re: The Curragh Swimming Pool
Hi charlie04
The pool is as was the one and the same as 67, I think I wore the same boots in 68. yes there were steps on both sides of the deep end as well as the shallow end, this pool in the picture was eventually closed down in 1986 and a complete over haul and renovation was carried out with all the red tiles taken off the pool surrounds and slip proof tiles replacing them, this renovation lasted nearly 15 + years and then problems arose with the boilers and pool structure and was closed down. there now exists a beautiful 25m swimming pool complete with a 14m learning/kiddies pool ajacent to it as well as a diving/deep water training pool as well complete with a sauna at the deep end and a steam room at the shallow end, this excellent facility is located on the old front side of the gym on the site of the old wooden indoor gym complete with cafeteria dressing rooms and lecture rooms and viewing gallery, the old pool measured 44 yards(331/3metres) long x14 wide. at the time that it went to planning it was proposed to extend it to a full 50m pool but was shot down as it was thought that too many civilian clubs would seek the use of it(then we wonder that we cant get winners in Olympics at swimming) with only 3 5om pools in the whole country? Little did i know when i joined up that i would end up in charge of the same location as an instructor and teaching most of my school friends children/grand children to swim. (must have been all the swimming in the Marion shrine as a kid)
bye for now keep well all
Johnny
|
|
|
|
Post by charlie004 on Aug 25, 2012 15:59:46 GMT
Johnny,Many thanks for the update and info on the pool.Besides Tpt. Kelly's boots, I remember a "swimming gala" held there one cold,dark december night.Andy should remember it also if he didn't slip off home for his supper.What I remember most was that there was a guy in a platoon behind us in training who was in the Irish Olympic swimming team or so the story goes.But he could swim.He would hit the water at the deep end and by the time the rest of us got wet he was climbing out the other end to collect another medal.You may have come across him youself.He would have been in McDonagh ,Late '67 to early '68.Again thanks Johnny and best wishes.
Charlie.
|
|
|
|
Post by marykeaneclarke on Aug 29, 2012 12:59:13 GMT
I loved the Smimming Pool - straight home from school at 3.30 pm and grab your army towel and togs and straight down to the baths (as they were called) my God did not realise how priviliaged I was ........ the girls ......... if their Dad's were not serving soldiers had to queue and wait until WE the elite gained entry.
There were no fancy showers, shampoo or indeed shower gel or body lotion - just honest of God wet water - one would normally do the finishing touches when you got home and boiled the kettle for hot water to wash your hair and let it dry naturally.!!!!!
One day I was approached by Peter Madden or Maxi Hannigan and asked would I join the Swimming Club which I gladly accepted - my friend Pat Coughlan joined the same day. We
competed in Galas (similar to the Olympics now ha! ha!) went up to Guinness Baths in Dublin and great times.
I remember winning a set of toy golf clubs and Desmond Cullen winning a similar set and then graduating to winning a medal.
Those were the days - but then it all changed .... I took on different interests and maybe taken for granted the good things in life that were at my door step.
To be a resident on the Curragh was indeed an honour - the memories are unbeatable.
|
|
|
|
Post by johnnykelly on Aug 31, 2012 16:39:28 GMT
Re; The Curragh Swimming Pool
Hi Marykeaneclarke
yes we were the lucky ones indeed to have such a wonderful facility at our disposal, you bring back fond memories of the good times we had especially us the ones that were in the swimming club, great trips away from home to every nook and cranny in the country,and then at the end of the year the Childrens Gala, the place packed with spectators and the noise levels no wonder i am suffering from ad syndrome, running home from school grabbing a white army towel off the clothes line (may not have been ones own line) but in a hurry who cared. fond memories indeed happy days, keep well have a nice weekend, bye for now.
Johnny
|
|
Ann Douglas OReilly
Guest
|
Post by Ann Douglas OReilly on Sept 10, 2012 20:23:02 GMT
Billy Hyland has just recently enlightened me about The Curragh History and reading about the Swimming Pool brought back great memories of the Annual Galas and some of us (Douglas Family) winning some of the competitions
|
|
|
|
Post by marykeaneclarke on Sept 11, 2012 9:33:11 GMT
Hi Anne,
Great to see you on the site - yes indeed I remember competing against Maeve in Galas (she was a great swimmer). We were in the same class together until you moved to Waterford (I think)!
I recently met Joan in Newbridge at a show in the Riverbank we chatted briefly about my parents!
How are your brothers keeping the ones I remember were Donie and Brendan?
Anyway Anne keep coming back on the site and before long you will become addicted to it like myself - the memories are just unbelievable no other place compares to the Curragh in the 50's, 60's and 70's.
Take care.
Mary Keane Clarke.
|
|
|
|
Post by johnd on Sept 12, 2012 9:06:40 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by andybrennan on Sept 12, 2012 21:03:50 GMT
Hi all you swimmers.
to me it was the baths, swimming pool did not come for many a year, like picture house and cinema, hops and disco.
Andy
|
|
|
|
Post by johnnykelly on Sept 12, 2012 22:00:46 GMT
Re; The Curragh Swimming Pool
Hi Ann Douglas
a big welcome to the Curragh Forum I hope you enjoy sifting through all of the topics and posts of our wonderful happy days as kids growing up in the best playground in the world. hope all your brothers and sisters are keeping well, and if you have any photos of the swimming club era you can share them with us by sending them to Matt.
keep well
Johnny Kelly X Pearse
|
|
