RULE NUMBER ONE
Safety first
If you plan on heading out for a wild swim, always stay safe. Irish Water Safety provides information on what to look out for when swimming in the sea or open water in Ireland. Always keep in mind that water conditions can change rapidly.
Where the swimming spots below are all great swimming spots in their own right, adverse weather conditions could make any of these spots treacherous and dangerous. Our rule of thumb is if you are not sure, don't swim.
Where the swimming spots below are all great swimming spots in their own right, adverse weather conditions could make any of these spots treacherous and dangerous. Our rule of thumb is if you are not sure, don't swim.
Wild swim locations in the Atlantic
Aughris Head
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At Aughris headland, there is a beautiful stone beach which most of the time is a spot where waves crash upon the shore. But on a really calm day, it is possible to swim here and enjoy a great swim. As this is a very remote location, never attempt to swim here on your own. On a summers day, you might even be lucky enough to brush shoulders with a pod of dolphins . Lifeguards: No Car park: No, but park on top of the road and walk towards the pier Toilets: No |
Aughris pier
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There is nothing more invigorating than jumping from a pier into the depths of the Atlantic.
At high tide, take a leap of the pier and climb back out using the ladder. After a rejuvenating swim, why not go for a walk along the coastal path followed by a drink in the Beach Bar, a tatched pub located a short walk away Lifeguards: No Car park: No, but park on top of the road and walk towards the pier Toilets: No |
Bishop's pool, Mullaghmore
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This is a shallow, sheltered natural swimming pool located at Mullaghmore headland. It isn't to difficult to find either. Leave Mullaghmore village following the headland road. After a short drive, you will find on your right a few picnic benches and seats , from here, just follow the coastal road which drops towards the Atlantic. At the bottom of the hill is a 90 degree turn to the left . Congratulations, you have found Bishop's pool, park the car and walk towards the Ocean.
The pool is to 1 to 5 meters in depth and is a tidal pool. While swimming in the pool, the odd wave might break over the rocks making it even more spectacular, The views from the pool are as far as Donegal Lifeguards: No Car park: No, but park on the verge of the road Toilets: No |
Dunmoran Strand
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Dunmoran strand is a beautiful beach which is flanked by dunes . The water itself is very clean with almost no seaweed or rocks. Just be aware of the rocks where you enter the beach, but walk past these and you will find the perfect swimming spot.
Sometimes, waves can be high enough testing your skill as a swimmer, but normally the waves are mild enough. Lifeguards: Yes Car park: Yes, but can be busy when the weather is good Toilets: Yes |
Enniscrone Beach
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Enniscrone beach is just lovely for a refreshing swim. This 5km long blue flag beach is safe and tidy and provides the perfect setting for an open water swim.
Lifeguards: Yes Car park: Yes Toilets: Yes |
Enniscrone Pier
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Enniscrone pier is popular with swimmers or pier jumpers. The large pier is ideal to enjoy an invigorating swim . At high tide, it is the perfect location to try out your best cannonball or dive, you be guaranteed to have some spectators as well.
It is also home to the annual Christmas swim Lifeguards: No Car park: Yes, on the side of the road Toilets: Yes |
Mullaghmore beach
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Mullaghmore is a beautiful beach with the Dartry mountains as a backdrop. This beach is most of the time sheltered from the world renowned waves which are being produced around the corner at Mullaghmore head.
The beach is very safe for swimmers and will never produce large waves. Lifeguards: No Car park: Yes, on the side of the road Toilets: Yes |
Poll Gorm - Easkey
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Poll Gorm in Easkey is a great swimming spot. Make sure the tide is out to swim in this magical place.
Lifeguards: No - life Buoy available Car park: No Toilets: No |
Rosses Point Beach
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A favourite with open water swimmers and home to the many open water swimming competitions.
There are boys located along the entire length of the beach marking the swimming route. Many of the swimmers start at Deadmans point nearby the yacht club. There is a tidal outdoor swimming pool, but caution needs to be taken. On an incoming tide, a strong current pulls from the end of the main pier, outwards around Deadmans Point. Lifeguards: Yes Car park: Yes Toilets: Yes |
Wild swim locations in lakes & rivers
Garavogue River
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Swimming in the Garavogue river is nothing new. Every year, the Lough Gill hospice swim follows the meandering Garavogue river as part of an annual competition which sees fierce competition.
A great starting point for a swim in the Garavogue is the pontoon at Doorley park Lifeguards: No Car park: Yes Toilets: No |
Glencar lake
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Glencar lake is in an absolute fabulous location close to the Dartry mountains. Part of the lake is in County Sligo where the other part is in County Leitrim.
The lake is great for swimming, although watch the feet on the rocky underground. Lifeguards: No Car park: Yes Toilets: Yes - at Glencar waterfall |
Lough Gill
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Lough Gill was made famous by WB Yeats. The beautiful lake is home to the famous Lough Gill swim which sees swimmers crossing the lake over a distance of 10km.
The lake has a stone underground, so watch those feet. Lifeguards: No Car park: Yes Toilets: No |
