Swim Adventures around Ireland

Fallmore Beach, Blacksod Bay, Belmullet

Fallmore Beach, Blacksod Bay, Belmullet

Fallmore Beach, Blacksod Bay, Belmullet April 2010 Fallmore ( on the map its called Portmore but we think it's known as Fallmore - Belmullet people let us know if we are wrong) is yet another of Mayo's and Belmullet's fine beaches. It has great views across to Achill Island which are really impressive. The beach itself is small and open. There isn't a lot of shelter on a windy day. When we were there in April there was a brisk breeze and the water was a little choppy. The Strong Currents sign is there for a reason so be careful and don't ignore it. Directions  View Larger Map; From Belmullet you follow the R313 to the end of the road. Just before the lighthouse there is a right hand turn and along this road there is a left turn signposted for a holy well and the beach Ordnance Survey Discovery Series Map No. 22   [...]

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Lough  Gill

Lough Gill

Lough Gill was made famous by W.B. Yeats whose 'Lake Isle of Innisfree' inhabits one of its small corners. More recently, a popular Irish- American folk group, led by a Sligo troubadour, have taken the name. Unfortunately, on a cold and windy day in May, neither poetry nor music inspired us or made the lake more appealing. We accessed the water via a slipway which runs alongside the berthing place of the lake's leisure cruiser. It was stony underfoot and we bumped our way slowly into the cold, but fresh water. As we always say when swimming in lakes, be careful, watch for underwater rocks. No jumping or diving. Despite the little obstacle course, it was a refreshing swim with the soft and wavy water blowing away the cobwebs. We emerged revitalised and ready to write a poem or three. This must be a nice spot in the summer with Parkes castle alongside and a tour around the lake also on offer. View Larger Map       Directions : From Sligo take the N16 toward Enniskillen. Just outside the town branch off onto the R286 signposted for Dromohair and the lake. Follow this road until you come to the lake on your right hand side and continue on until you come to the castle with the car park beside it.       Copyright © ComputerAid, 2010 ~ 00353-86-8235349 ~ ]]> ~ All rights reserved. ]]> [...]

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Lough Key

Lough Key

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. This is a very well maintained facility which also has a visitors centre, forest walk, and a marina. We got in from the slipway across from the marina and it brings you about waist height into the dark fresh water. Like all lakes you need to move carefully and watch out for underwater rocks. No jumping or diving. About 200 metres to the right of the slipway there is a small sandy area with shallow water. We didn't get in here but it looks like a place where children can splash in the summer. If you walk around the back of the marina and follow the lake shore path for a few hundred metres you come to few concrete jetties and we were told that people swim here during the summer. There are steps down into the water. We didn't venture in but again be careful. All in all, Lough Key is a lovely place for a visit. Apart from the swimming there is plenty to do and it is an ideal place for families to visit.  View Larger Map Directions From Dublin or Sligo follow the N4 and Lough Key is located between Carrick and Shannon and Boyle. The entrance is well signposted and you drive all the way through the forest to the car park beside the lake. Car parking is 4 euro. The lake side and environs are buggy and wheelchair accessible.   [...]

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Grand Canal Milltown

Grand Canal Milltown

Royal Canal, MilltownAugust 2015We were pleased to get a tip off about this location as Kildare is one of the few counties where we hadn't been able to identify a swimming venue. Having said that we aren't talking about a state of the art swimming pool here. However, this location is quiet, peaceful and , most importantly, the water where we swam was fresh and clear.From where we parked at the 'Hanged Man's' pub we crossed the bridge and turned left onto the tow path. At the start the water was distinctly uninviting and clogged with thick weeds. A 15 minute walk brought us to a spot where the weeds had thinned out and we could find an easy entry point. [...]

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