Council considers network of 'cooling spaces' amid record-breaking temperatures

Following record-breaking summer temperatures, Dublin City Council is exploring the potential of a citywide network of public cooling spaces to protect vulnerable and older residents from extreme heat

Add to preferred sources Comments News Stephen Holland Local Democracy Reporter 02:00, 22 Sep 2026 View Image Hot dog (Image: Getty)

A network of ‘cooling spaces’ across Dublin may be developed to give people an air-conditioned place to go in the event of extreme heat.

With summer 2026 breaking records as the hottest Ireland has ever seen, Labour Councillor Fiona Connelly is calling for steps to be put in place to address increasingly high temperatures. She has proposed that Dublin City Council utilise publicly accessible buildings so residents know where they go when they need to cool down.

“This list could include libraries, community centres, sports and leisure facilities, arts and cultural venues, shopping centres and other appropriate publicly accessible buildings,” she outlined in a motion to the Community, Gaeilge, Sport, Arts & Culture SPC.

“The purpose would be to identify a network of potential cooling spaces that could be promoted during periods of exceptionally high temperatures, so that residents know where they can go to safely cool down, with particular consideration given to older people and others who may be more vulnerable to extreme heat.”

While Dublin doesn’t experience the same high temperature as parts of continental Europe, Cllr Connelly explained that people are now facing “prolonged exposure to heat” that they are not used to. From people living in overcrowded conditions to older, more vulnerable citizens, she said that having access to an air conditioned building without needing any other reason to be there except to cool down would be beneficial to many.

She spoke about an elderly neighbour who had trouble with heat over the summer. “I would love to tell her to pop down to Rathmines Library and have a little cool down,” the Kimmage-Rathmines rep said.

Green Party Cllr Donna Cooney seconded the motion and stressed the need to consider higher temperatures when refurbishing council-owned buildings. She highlighted arts centres and libraries that are constructed with significant amounts of glass. “There’s a lot of heat in them and it’s difficult to keep them cool,” she said.

“There’s a need for serious funding from the Department in relation to upgrading these buildings for people to use and for staff, because they were not designed for the heat we are getting in the summer.”

It is not only in instances of extreme weather that people require an escape from the sun, according to Labour Cllr Darragh Moriarty. He pointed out that Dubliners are now facing hotter autumns than ever before and the impact of climate change is something that people will unfortunately have to get used to.

He called for a plan to prepare for “the new normal of our heat” and to consider elderly and vulnerable people who feel the impact even outside of abnormally high temperatures. While extreme weather triggers a council response plan, Cllr Moriarty said this may not go far enough to protect those vulnerable to prolonged periods of heat.

The manager’s response stated that the council already has plans in place to respond to extreme heat and that when a warning is issued by Met Éireann arrangements are put in place to support vulnerable people. They agreed there is scope to pursue Cllr Connelly's motion, but that it would require engagement with a broad range of public, voluntary and private stakeholders who manage buildings on behalf of the council.

It was agreed to refer Cllr Connelly’s motion to the Climate and Urban Resilience SPC for further discussion on the feasibility of developing and publishing a citywide cooling spaces map or directory, including locations and opening hours be prioritised in advance of summer 2027.

This content is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme

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