Searching for a way to cool off in the summer swelter?

In a sleepy little village just 16km from Cork city, the dream awaits: a public pool that’s completely open to the elements so you can work on your tan while getting your lengths in.

Carraig Na Bhfear Swimming Pool is now open… and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

Built by a group of volunteers in 1963, the pool was initially filled by gravity flow, the water coming down from a small dammed river nearby and kept fresh by continuous flow through the pool.

Improvements have been made over the years with pumps, filtration and chlorination. It was heated in 1996 and hot showers were installed in 1998.

The pool is still run by volunteers, all of whom have been working hard this week to ensure everything is tidy and freshly painted for visitors.

The pool opens from now until August, sometimes longer if the sun shines so keep an eye on their Facebook page for updates.