April 2010

We don’t know much about swimming in Westmeath, but Lough Owel is a good place for a swim and one we often use travelling to and from the West.

This is an old style swimming spot with a concrete jetty leading out to a diving board and old, iron ladders giving you access to the water. The water is cool and clear and has very good depth to it. It’s a bit stony underfoot so be careful.

There are also some concrete steps where you can leave your clothes. We were told that the steps once had wooden seats where, in years gone by, people used come and watch the regattas on the lake. Nowadays, you are more likely to see the odd boat out fishing.

Remember, lakes can be dangerous so be careful.

Directions

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Coming from Dublin on the N4 you pass Mullingar and after a few kilometres watch out for a left turn plus parking signs as you reach the top of a hill. There is a decent car park and a short walk across the railway bridge and down some steps leads you to the lake. It is not wheelchair or buggy accessible.