The iconic Dún Laoghaire baths have reopened today after a 17-year campaign, but the public amenity is without the pool that campaigners had sought.

Dún Laoghaire County Council said there is potential for an open seawater pool on the site in the future, subject to planning approval.

It says during construction, a rectangular concrete void was left below the surface of the amphitheatre area allowing for the inclusion of a tidal pool.

It has a concrete "lid" covering it at present.

RTÉ Archives: Making A Splash In Dún Laoghaire (1985)

An official ceremony is being held this morning to celebrate the reopening of the facility, which includes the refurbishment of the baths pavilion, the construction of a new 35m jetty with built in-seating and the installation of the Roger Casement statue.

There is also a changing shelter, the refurbished Edwardian gazebo in the beach garden and a new walkway from Newtownsmith.

The former pavilion building has also been substantially refurbished to provide studio space for artists, as well as a gallery and a café with a view of Scotsman's Bay.

There are also toilet facilities, including a "changing places" bathroom, which is for people with additional needs.

People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett is chair of the Save our Seafront Campaign.

In a statement today he said "Today’s reopening of the Baths site is a victory for people power and protest, but it is a telling fact that it has taken 17 years for the people to finally get the baths site reopened, and even now, the seawater swimming pool that we have been demanding for all those years has still not been delivered."

Caothaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Mary Hanafin has said she has formally asked for the process to develop a pool at the Dun Laoghaire baths.

She said it is available to be done in the next phase.

Speaking to RTÉ’s News at One programme, Ms Hanafin said she believes there is a demand for a seawater pool.

She said it is important that the space was put back into public use.