Waterworld, a once-beloved family destination in Northern Ireland, now lies in ruins, with mice running around, as a TikToker captures the eerie scenes in a haunting video
What was once a beloved family destination in Northern Ireland has now fallen into eerie abandonment. Waterworld, a leisure centre and bowling alley in Portrush, Co. Antrim, now lies in ruins, and its once lively halls are now home to mice and mould.
TikToker Jamie Robinson, known for exploring abandoned locations across Northern Ireland, recently visited the derelict site, sharing haunting footage with his followers. Once packed with excited children and families, Waterworld now stands as a crumbling shell of its former self.
In his video, the centre’s iconic water slides, once bright and bustling, are now covered in mould and falling apart. The entire complex is derelict, yet scattered remnants of its former life remain — making the scene all the more unsettling.
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Inside the bowling alley, bowling balls still sit ready to roll, untouched since the day the centre shut down in February 2020.
In the swimming pool area, a mouse can be seen darting across the tiles, a stark contrast to the joyful splashes that once filled the air. The sauna and other facilities also appear frozen in time, as though left behind in a hurry.
The clips struck a nostalgic chord with viewers, many of whom recalled childhood memories at Waterworld.
“Was my fav place in Portrush,” one user commented.
Another wrote: “This makes me so sad! Such good memories as a wain at Waterworld. I used to love the fish tank at the entrance.”
Others noted how intact parts of the centre still appear. “Looks still in good nick,” said one, while another reminisced: “Any rainy day, that’s where ya went in Portrush.”
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council members have urged the council to focus on the sale of the site.
At last month’s Corporate Policy and Resources Committee meeting, DUP Alderman Mark Fielding asked for an update on the Portrush water play area, which has been lying vacant since its closure five years ago.
He said: “I think five years is a long time and I’m sure there are reasons why it hasn’t been put on the market, but do we sell it in the open market or as an indoor water leisure facility? These are the questions that need to be asked.
“But at the minute it’s sitting there, there’s negative social media about it, with it being broken into and different things, so [is council] in a position where we can say we’re going to sell it?”
TikToker Jamie has also explored other notable abandoned sites across Ireland. One of his previous videos features Ostan Ghaoth Dobhair, a once-thriving hotel in Bunbeg, Donegal. Built in 1970 and located along the Wild Atlantic Way, the hotel was a regular retreat for manchester-united-fc>Manchester United legend George Best.
Since its closure in 2015, the Ostan has slipped into disrepair, with rooms left fully furnished but overtaken by mould and creeping plants. The decay has given the former luxury spot a haunting, post-apocalyptic atmosphere, with paint peeling from the walls and nature slowly reclaiming the space.
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