Sir, – Marion McDonald (no relation) makes a strong case for the provision of outdoor swimming pools throughout Ireland in order to take the pressure off our crowded beaches (Letters, June 27th).However, the advent of global warming and increased hours of sunshine do not necessarily guarantee a pleasant swim in an outdoor pool. In Germany, while most of the public pools are not heated, there is currently a strong lobby aimed at preventing the heated pools from losing this facility because of budget cuts.I recall my formative years growing up in Belfast when there was a huge outdoor pool in the Falls Park. I tried it once on a sunny day but soon realised that its title locally as the “cooler” was entirely justified. It was the equivalent of an ice bath.Having said that, there was a buzz about the place. Before the Troubles, people from both communities in Belfast flocked there. All the noise and enjoyment was often supplemented by the sound of “leather on willow” emanating from a cricket match on a pitch located just in front of the pool.This was of course not a sport associated with nationalist Belfast, but the cricket clubs from all parts of the city were quite comfortable playing there. Happy days. – Yours, etc,MARTIN MC DONALD,Terenure,Dublin 12.