The National Aquatic Centre in Dublin is one of the world’s biggest indoor water complexes and is the third most popular fee-paying attraction in Ireland.
Opened in 2003 and located next to the M50 in Blanchardstown, it is home to a 10-lane, 50-metre international standard swimming pool, top class 25-metre diving pool and seating for 2,500 spectators.
Youngsters can spend hours in the AquaZone, one of the most innovative water parks in Europe. Whether you crave extreme thrills or raging water adventures, it offers all sorts of fun-filled rides and attractions for the whole family.
There are flumes, a wave pool, lazy river and pirate ship complete with cannons and slides. If you want all-out thrills try the Flow Rider, an interactive experience combining surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding, or the awesome Master Blaster. It uses award-winning technology to blast riders uphill on jetted water, with gravity doing the rest.
The centre also has a café and an award-winning health club and gymnasium. The ToneZone features all the latest resistance and cardiovascular equipment, fitness studio, dedicated spinning room, sauna, steam room and spa facilities.
The aquatic complex, which hosted the 2003 Special Olympics, forms part of the National Sports Campus, home to the Football Association of Ireland and Irish Institute of Sport.
Ireland’s elite swimmers are put through their paces at the centre, which hosted training camps for teams from 13 countries before the 2012 Olympics in London. They included the Hungarian water polo team and America’s synchronised swimmers.
