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Wild Swimming in Sligo

back to swimming in county Sligo

Wild swimming


Discover Sligo's gorgeous spots to go wild swimming. Get an adrenaline rush while jumping in the cold water of the Atlantic, admire the beauty of the surrounding landscape. Take the plunge and discover the refreshing and liberating experience of open water swimming  
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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.
More on irish Water Safety

Wild swim locations in the Atlantic

Aughris pier

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

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

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

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
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Enniscrone Pier

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

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

Rosses Point Beach

A favorite 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 Dead man's 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 Deadman's Point. 

​Lifeguards: Yes

Car park: Yes
Toilets: Yes

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Wild swim locations in lakes & rivers

Garavogue River

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

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

Lough Gill was made famous by WB Yeats. The beautiful lake is home to the famous Lough Gill swim which sees swiimers crossing the lake over a distance of 10km.
The lake has a stone underground, so watch those feet.

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​Lifeguards: No
Car park: Yes
Toilets: No

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