SOS (formerly the Dun Laoghaire Heritiage and Renewal Campaign) was established about six years ago. Its founding members included, Richard Boyd Barrett, the late John De Courcy Ireland and the late Cllr Vincent McDowell. SOS led the campaign against a number of council inspired plans for privatised and high-rise exclusive development on the Baths site.
Since it was established, the group has campaigned consistently for Dun Laoghaire Baths to be restored as a fully public swimming amenity, organising dozens of small and large protests, meetings and petition campaigns. In 2005, SOS campaigned successfully against plans for an eight-storey apartment block and shopping centre on the Baths site by mobilising the three largest demonstrations in Dun Laoghaire's history, including one protest of over 5000 people and a petition of over 14,000 signatures.
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Following the SOS protests, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Co Council has now agreed to restore the Baths as a public swimming amenity, although SOS continues to campaign for this promise to be delivered upon. SOS is also campaigning against any current or future plans for privatised high-rise or exclusive development on sites such as the Carlisle Pier, Dun Laoghaire Harbour, Blackrock Baths, Sandycove, Bulloch Harbour, Killiney Beach. SOS wish to see all these sites maintained and developed as purely public amenities.
SOS want to see: Carlisle Pier developed as a National Maritime and Climate Change Institute with a Museum, Planetarium and other civic amenities; Blackrock Baths restored as a sports swimming amenity, Killiney beach tearooms restored as a beach amenity with showers, toilets, changing rooms and a modest café or restaurant.
For more information contact:
Richard Boyd Barrett, Chairperson
at 087-6329511
Nicola Sarratt, Secretary,
at 087-4115015.
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