Our vision is that children attending the Mardyke will experience top class facilities, supported by friendly, innovative, excellently trained staff, in a safe, secure, fun environment. We welcome over 6000 children into our centre every year through swim lesson programmes, school tours, club and group bookings and multi activity camps. Quality delivery of our programmes and the health and safety of our patrons are our main objectives when it comes to children.
Click here to view the Camp Brochure
We are currently taking bookings for our birthday party programme. Bookings can be made by contacting Reception on 021-4904796.
Our 2026 School Tour Programme will begin on 11th May, 2026. Please contact us Today to secure your spot.
2026 Brochure coming Soon.
We offer children a unique school tour experience introducing children to different activities delivered in a fun and enthusiastic manner by our qualified and experienced staff.
We offer activities suitable for all abilities and tailor programmes to cater to the needs of the school with an emphasis on fun and involvement for all. We will customise a package based on your activity choices and liaise with teachers in advance of your tour to ensure all requirements are catered for.
To inquire contact our Children’s Activities Office at childrensactivity@ucc.ie or 0214904762
The Mardyke Arena UCC School Tour Programme will run in May & June. We would advise booking early to secure your preferred date.
We have a relationship with the Lifetime Lab and Cork City Jail in which a reduced rate is offered if you book a tour to both the Mardyke and one of these facilities.
If you contact the Children’s Activity Office on 0214904762 or via email on childrensactivity@ucc.ie. You can provisionally book your desired date and this will be confirmed once a 10% deposit has been paid.
The available activities vary, depending on the age profile of the class. The content of the activities will be age specific also and the manner in which the activities are delivered will vary depending on the age of the group.
The number of activities available depends on both the package and if the group would like to swim. In a 3-hour tour, a school can pick a maximum of five activities but if swimming is chosen this is reduced to four. In a 4-hour tour, the maximum is six and again if swimming is chosen it is reduced to five. In a 5-hour tour, the maximum number of activities is eight and if swimming is chosen it is reduced to seven.
The reason the number of activities is reduced is to allow maximum time for the children in the pool. If the number of activities were not reduced then the children would only receive a few minutes in the pool, with this policy children will receive between 25 and 40 minutes of pool time.
We ask that the teacher has the group divided into the appropriate size groups prior to arrival at the Mardyke. Once they arrive, our experienced and enthusiastic staff will take control of the group. The Mardyke Arena UCC’s skilled staff will take control of all activities, all we ask is that a member of the school’s staff remains in the building at all times in case they are needed.
We do not provide lunch for students however we can facilitate an area for the children to eat their lunch if the teacher so wishes.
No all activities will be available from the commencement of the tour program.
Buses are not permitted to park in the Mardyke Arena UCC Car Park.