Historic Building Details

HB Ref No:
HB18/14/038

Address :
Rock Pool 165-167 Central Promenade, Newcastle, Co. Down BT33

Townland:
Ballaghbeg

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Survey 2:
B2

Date of Listing:
16/09/2016 00:00:00

Date of De-listing:

Current Use:
Public Baths

Former Use
Public Baths

Conservation Area:
No

Industrial Archaeology:
No

Vernacular:
No

Thatched:
No

Monument:
Yes

Derelict:
No

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OS Map No:
255/15NW

IG Ref:
J3764 3034

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Owner Category

Exterior Description And Setting

An outdoor public swimming pool, filled with sea water, built 1932, located on the coastline at the south end of Central Promenade, Newcastle. The pool and enclosure are almost square, and formed from in-situ mass concrete rising directly from the rocky shoreline. The enclosure has been raised in height, and is generally untreated to outer elevations, with the exception of the road-facing elevation, which is painted and rendered. The enclosure is accessed from Central Promenade at west via a pair of modern doors, leading to twin cast-iron turnstiles (makers mark ‘Bailey’). A rectangular entrance platform leads to cast-concrete steps descending to a changing area which spans the west side. It comprises a series of changing booths with painted sheeted doors, and central showering area, with painted concrete basin. Between the changing area and the pool are a series of five deep steps, which also serve as a viewing area; the uppermost riser is taller, and is painted with murals c.2003. The pool is surrounded by a narrow perimeter path and accessed via steps at each corner; to the east (seaward) side are two raised diving platforms. The pool ranges from 1m depth at the west side to 2m at the ‘deep’ (east) side, and depth markers are painted onto the enclosing walls in red on yellow ground. Setting: The Rock Pool is set along the roadside at the southern end of the town, with the Irish Sea to east and the Mountains of Mourne forming a dramatic backdrop when viewed from the north. The pool itself is concealed from public view by the high road-facing wall. To immediate north, also rising from the rock, is a scheduled WW2 concrete pillbox (DOW049:022). Materials: Roof - N/A Walls - Concrete Windows - N/A RWG - N/A

Architects

Historical Information

Opened in 1933 and first shown on the fifth edition OS map (1919-38), captioned ‘Swimming Pond’, the pool and ‘dressing boxes’ were added to the Annual Revisions (1930-35) in 1934, initially valued at £40 but on appeal, this was reduced to £36. Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries Newcastle grew into a popular seaside resort. However, by the 1920s there were concerns raised over the adequacy of the public bathing facilities within the town, which at that time comprised a bathing jetty and female changing boxes at the ‘Black Rock’, and a diving board with changing boxes at the harbour to the south. At each of these locations, there were no provisions for spectator events and the water was deep, making them unsuited to inexperienced swimmers and children. A scheme was proposed 1926 to link a new pool with the existing baths, but the high cost of £8,500 was rejected. Modern outdoor swimming pools were being built in similar seaside towns across the country, and therefore the provision of suitable swimming facilities was thought to be an essential factor in attracting visitors to Newcastle, enabling it to compete against resorts such as Bangor and Whitehead. In light of this, Newcastle Urban District Council made proposals for a new tidal seawater bathing pond in 1928. The initial site chosen was at the rear of, and running parallel to the public baths (the location of the present Tropicana pool), however, following feasibility discussions, the present site, to the south of the Black Rock, was deemed more suitable, despite opposition from the Ratepayers Association who declared that pool would amount to no more than a ‘puddle’. Indeed further objections were raised concerning the site at Black Rock, which was not located within the centre of the town, featured a dangerous bend in the road and would not have adequate accommodation for spectators, which would reduce possible revenue. Despite the concerns of the opposition, the Council were keen to ensure that Newcastle did not fall behind other resorts and in 1931 the Ministry of Home Affairs sanctioned a loan of £3,500 for construction of this new swimming pond. The contract, amounting to £3,367 13s and executed to the designs of Ferguson & McIlveen, was undertaken by Isaac Hamilton of Annalong. Commencing in February 1932, the work was overseen by the Clerk of Works, a Mr. H.W. Verner. Doors were opened to the public on 10th June 1933, by Chairman of the Council Mr. R. Hastings and Lady Elizabeth Annesley. Open from everyday from 9am to 9pm between June and September, the full price admission was not to exceed 6d and included use of the pool, a changing box, swimming costume and a towel. Originally intended to be 100 ft long by 50 ft wide, the 38th Report of the Ulster District of the Irish Amateur Swimming Association (April 1933) noted that a fault in the foundation rock necessitated the alteration of the dimensions to 60 ft long by 75 feet wide. The Report further commented that the layout of the completed scheme was ‘excellent, the site having been used to the fullest possible advantage’, incorporating ‘adequate accommodation for spectators’, whilst the inserted pump would ‘maintain the water level during neap tides’. Additionally the diving stage conformed to the ‘latest requirements of the International Federation for spring-board diving’ (‘the only one of its kind in Ireland’), and the needs of younger users were accommodated by a slide located at the shallow end. By 12th August 1933, a total of 23,949 spectators and bathers were recorded, amounting to an income of £261. The first swimming gala was held on Saturday 25th August 1934 by the newly formed Newcastle Swimming Club and in the coming decades the galas formed a staple part of social life within the town. Originally the eastern wall, where the diving stage was located, was at a low-level providing views out to sea. With a rise in foreign holidays and provision of heated indoor pools, the popularity of the Rock Pool declined. Due to increasing health and safety standards the higher diving boards and slide were removed in the 1980s, while the overall facilities had fallen into poor condition. The pump system was severely outdated and as it took four tides to refill, sometimes there was no water within the pool. The ticket office subsequently closed and access for casual swimmers ceased. At risk of closure, vigorous local campaigning persuaded the council spent £22,000 on improvements during the mid 1980s, including the raising of the back (east) wall to provide protection against high winds and seas, which subsequently increased the water temperature of the pool. Additionally, a faster and more efficient pump installed which also ensured that the water was always fresh. Visitor numbers rapidly rose, once again securing the future of the facility. The outdoor conditions better replicate those of the open sea, in comparison to a heated indoor pool and subsequently the Rock Pool was highly suited for the teaching of lifesaving skills. The pool continues to function as a summer-season open-air public pool with swimming and life saving lessons. Resources Primary Sources 1. PRONI CAB9/B/188/1 (1931) 2. PRONI OS/6/3/49/4 Fourth edition OS map (1919-20) 3. PRONI OS/6/3/49/5 Fifth edition OS map (1919-38) 4. PRONI VAL/12/E/111/4/2 Valuation Map (1907-36) 5. PRONI VAL/12/F/4/13/1 Annual Revisions (1930-35) 6. PRONI VAL/3/C/4/27 First General Revaluations Annual Revisions (1936-57) 7. HB File (HB18/14/038) Secondary Sources 1. Hanna, Deirdre ‘The History of the Rock Pool 1933-1993’ Flix Graphics, 1993

Criteria for Listing

Architectural Interest

A. Style B. Proportion D. Plan Form J. Setting

Historic Interest

Z. Rarity X. Local Interest Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance S. Authenticity R. Age

Evaluation

The Rock Pool, located at the south end of Central Promenade, Newcastle, was constructed c.1932 as a seawater swimming pool intended to provide enhanced leisure and sporting facilities at the popular seaside resort. The pool employs relatively simple construction techniques, in mass concrete built off the natural rock shore, and is filled by the twice-daily tidal flow, with back-up pump. It is thought to be unique in the context of Ulster, and is of considerable social value, reflective of a more relaxed, liberated and family-friendly approach to seaside leisure activities, an increased interest in physical fitness, and the increasing popularity of swimming during the inter-war years. It also reflects the adaptation and continuity of Newcastle’s seaside economy, which had its origins in the mid-nineteenth century development of the seaside as a place of leisure and pleasure. Although the original diving boards and children’s slide were dismantled in the years of its decline, the basic structure and facilities remain intact, and the Rock Pool is held in notable local affection as a place of social gathering and positive association over generations. It is further enhanced by a fine location with the iconic silhouette of the Mountains of Mourne forming a dramatic backdrop.

General Comments

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Date of Survey

23 February 2016