The baths were built in 1839, beside Blackrock train station. The popular seafront baths were once Ireland's top venue for watersports, featuring a 50-metre pool and a diving platform. However since the baths closed in the 1980s the site fell into disrepair. In 1997 the freehold for the site was purchased by Treasury Holdings Ltd, one of the companies most severely affected by the current ongoing collapse of the property market.

The local council is now arranging the necessary demolition work, including the removal of the diving platform. But some elements of the structures and pool/sea wall that are not considered to be dangerous will be retained.

Following a recent inspection by senior council staff, it emerged that the structures “have suffered from extensive weather damage and from the ravages of the sea”, making them and the adjoining land dangerous to the public.

The concrete has been seriously affected by the wind and waves, while the pool structure is beyond repair. The seating and changing block is in danger of collapse.

The council also said that the guard rails to the upper seating area “have rusted away and the steps are exposed”, while the diving platform is seriously corroded and detached from the pool base.