Sir, - Blackrock Baths, Co Dublin, contained Ireland's first 50-metre pool. Built in the 1920s for the Tailteann Games, it is now a sad hulk. The Limerick pool will be Ireland's first 50-metre indoor pool.
Blackrock Baths comprised Olympic standard diving boards of 5 and 10 metres. These boards were graced for many years by Eddie Heron, who would have been a strong contender for an Olympic medal were it not for stupid problems in the selection process and the intervention of the second World War.
Thousands of people enjoyed swimming in the baths until it closed some years ago. Among them were many who later became well known in other spheres, for example, Niall McCarthy, Gerry Brady, Michael Collins, Maurice Doyle, Brendan O'Kelly, Liam Boyd and the Kavanagh brothers (Paddy, Ronnie and Gene). Some of these became superb swimmers, despite the short outdoor season. - Yours, etc., Max Keane,
Lower Kilmacud Road, Stillorgan, Co Dublin.