Outdoor Swimming

 

Find the perfect lake, river, waterfall, outdoor pool or beach for your next swim.

From the tranquil surfaces of mountain lakes and meandering rivers to the dramatic coastal seascapes and hidden waterfalls, our island offers an incredible variety of natural swimming environments.

  • 🌊 Sea Swimming: Feel the power of the Wild Atlantic or the Irish Sea
  • 🏞️ Lake Swimming: Explore tranquil mountain waters
  • 🏊 River Swimming: Navigate historic waterways
  • πŸ’¦ Waterfall Pools: Discover hidden aquatic gems
  • 🏑 Outdoor Pools: Enjoy swimming in a safer environment
  • πŸ€Nudist Swims:Β Bare all, away from the public

Whether you’re seeking the wild embrace of the Atlantic, the calm reflections of an inland lake, the gentle flow of a river, or the adventurous challenge of a secluded waterfall pool, Ireland’s water bodies provide unique and memorable swimming experiences.

There’s a swimming experience for every adventurer.


Safety, respect for nature, and appreciation of Ireland’s stunning aquatic landscapes are at the heart of every swimming journey.

 

Glasheen

Glasheen

Glasheen Beach June 2009 Glasheen is small, secluded and sheltered by rocks at either end. Out to...

read more

Glenmore

Glanmore Lake, near Healy Pass
July 2009

Glanmore is one of the nicest locations you will find. […]

Lough Gill

May 2013
Lough Gill was made famous by W.B. Yeats whose ‘Lake Isle of Innisfree’ inhabits one of its small corners. […]

Lough Key

May 2013
Our knowledge of places to swim in Roscommon is very limited so we were pleased to visit the attractive surroundings of Lough Key Forest Park. […]

Belmullet Tidal Pool

August 2014
Outdoor swimming pools are rare enough in Ireland but outdoor tidal pools are rarer still. […]

Glencar Lough

May 2013

The weather was awful, the water choppy and getting in for our swim was painful. Still, needs must and we stumbled into the blustery waters of Glencar. […]

Lough Derg, Portumna

June 2014

Along with the swimming spot on Lough Rea, this is another first class lakeside swimming location which is a credit to Galway County Council.

Lough Derg Water Recreation […]

Lettergesh Beach

June 2010

We should declare our bias about Connemara. To us it’s the nicest place in the whole country and it also has the nicest swimming places. […]

Lough Fee, Connemara

June 2010

Lough Fee is a lovely tranquil lake set in the heart of Connemara. […]

Castle Ashdale Forest, Tom’s Island, Lower Lough Erne

June 2016

Another of Lough Erne’s many good places to swim and ideal for families as this one is located in an attractive forest park.

it was lovely and sunny […]

Magho, Lough Erne

May 2013

Beautiful Lough Erne, stretching right through Fermanagh, must be one of the nicest lakes in the whole country. […]

Search by Post

Displays a list of pages from the site which contains a specific keyword or phrase.

Search on the Map

Displays locations on a map that are near an address or place name.

Glenmore

Glanmore Lake, near Healy Pass
July 2009

Glanmore is one of the nicest locations you will find. […]

Lough Gill

May 2013
Lough Gill was made famous by W.B. Yeats whose ‘Lake Isle of Innisfree’ inhabits one of its small corners. […]

Lough Key

May 2013
Our knowledge of places to swim in Roscommon is very limited so we were pleased to visit the attractive surroundings of Lough Key Forest Park. […]

Belmullet Tidal Pool

August 2014
Outdoor swimming pools are rare enough in Ireland but outdoor tidal pools are rarer still. […]

Glencar Lough

May 2013

The weather was awful, the water choppy and getting in for our swim was painful. Still, needs must and we stumbled into the blustery waters of Glencar. […]

Lough Derg, Portumna

June 2014

Along with the swimming spot on Lough Rea, this is another first class lakeside swimming location which is a credit to Galway County Council.

Lough Derg Water Recreation […]

Lettergesh Beach

June 2010

We should declare our bias about Connemara. To us it’s the nicest place in the whole country and it also has the nicest swimming places. […]

Lough Fee, Connemara

June 2010

Lough Fee is a lovely tranquil lake set in the heart of Connemara. […]

Castle Ashdale Forest, Tom’s Island, Lower Lough Erne

June 2016

Another of Lough Erne’s many good places to swim and ideal for families as this one is located in an attractive forest park.

it was lovely and sunny […]

Magho, Lough Erne

May 2013

Beautiful Lough Erne, stretching right through Fermanagh, must be one of the nicest lakes in the whole country. […]

Pin It on Pinterest