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Hi, great website and well done on the Irish Times article.

I was interested in your review of Bunbeg beach. When holidaying in Derrybeg during my childhood, we were always warned of strong currents off the beach in Bunbeg and never swam there. In any case, the nicest beach (in my opinion) in Gweedore is a little further to the north and it’s called Magheragallon. There is a small pier there from which a boat leaves for Gola Island and the clear water is safe to dive into from the pier at high tide. As children, my siblings and I would fish for crabs from the pier. Mageragallon actually consists of two beaches – a small beach next to the pier (from which my father taught me how to swim) and a larger beach accessible via a path from the parking area by the pier. This larger beach is backed by sand dunes and bookended by granite outcrops, one of which is partially covered at high tide and whose smooth stones at low tide are great for children to explore. The location is stunning – it is no surprise that Enya chose it to film a video for her song ‘On Your Shore’, made famous by its inclusion in the movie ‘LA Story’. Magheragallon is ideal for swimmers of all ages.

To get to Magheragallon beach, take the R257 to Derrybeg, then take the Strand Road (on your left when approaching from Bunbeg). About 200m from the golf clubhouse, the road forks – take the right fork (keeping the cemetery on your right) and you will come to the parking area by the pier.

Best wishes

First of all happy Monday!! My name is Helen Henderson, and I am an aquatics director at a summer camp and I teach kids, teens and counselors about swimming and swimming safety. I have been using your page http://outdoorswimming.ie/links.html for a few summers now, there is a lot of good stuff on it. Thank you so much!

I also wanted to point out a resource I stumbled upon while searching for new pages swimming safety: http://www.breezes.com/resort-resources-introduction-to-swimming.html . This page provides resources that explain the importance of swimming, swimming safety and swimming techniques. It is a very good resource for kids, and I was thinking it might be a good addition to your page as well.

Thanks again,

Have a wonderful rest of your summer!

I just wanted to advise you on another beach in Co. Clare, also called White Strand! As you leave Spanish Point to travel towards Lahinch , about 2 kms down the road you come to a junction where turning right will take you to Miltown Malbay and carrying on to the left will continue to Lahinch. Instead of carrying on there is also a smaller road immediately to the left which will lead you down to White Strand. We holiday in Spanish Point every year and much prefer White Strand as it is much calmer and much safer. When the tide is in it is stoney but there is a nice bit of beach at low tide. But the best bit of all is that for the last three years there has been a dolphin who comes right in to the beach and swims around you – it’s amazing!

We have just returned from West Cork and also enjoyed lovely sheltered swims in the inlet at Crookhaven. Barleycove beach is beautiful but not great for swimming as there are very strong rip-tides, but nearby Ballyrisode beach was perfect for family swims and very safe.

Great site – well done on promoting these great assets.

Slight correction re. Mullaghmore in Sligo.

Sligo County Council won’t provide lifeguards (2009 & 2010) as cattle accessing beach and leaving their deposits pose too severe a Health and Safety risk for lifeguards. Seems chances of lifeguards stepping in cattle poo more risky than an unattended family beach!!

Brian,

As a fellow, almost everyday, swimmer in the waters around this island I was very pleased to read of your new website. Congratulations.

I am surprised at the lack of contributions for County Cork. West Cork has some marvellous beaches. One of my favourites is a small bay, with a sandy beach, called Tragumna (Gaelic, Trá na Mòna or The Beach of the Turf) which is located about 7kmoutside Skibbereen on coastal road to Castletownshend. It is a Blue Flag standard beach with summer season lifeguards. The only negative is that, like Seapoint in Dublin, its not deep enough at low tide but at high is a great bathing spot. The coastal road runs to the east of the beach itself and behind a wall is room to sit and catch the sun (perhaps!) and a platform to plunge into deep water. Alternatively, those who like a gradual immersion should get in from the small sandy beach. The water here is nearly always crystal clear and a joy to swim in. In the centre of the bay is a small island which any reasonably strong swimmer can make and laze upon the spongy grass for a while.

Hi,

I saw your website advertised on the RTE news last night.

I just wanted to add a few beaches around the Kinsale area

The Dock Beach (Jarley’s Cove) Kinsale, head out of Kinsale and turn left having crossed the bridge and it’s behind the Dock Bar. Access is down a lane way by holiday houses. Good parking, very safe.

Sandycove – Kinsale Very popular with strong swimmers that normally swim around Goat Island. Good parking and very popular with Swim Masters.

There’s lots more but here are my 2 spots for now J

Keep up the good work!

Best regards,

Hello,
In relation to the name “The Springers” in Skerries … it
got the name due to the presence of a diving board (spring board), now long since gone. There is evidence that this place was used for swimming since at least 1929. The Springers is also the preferred site for a group of year round swimmers known as the “Frostbites” or “Frosties”. The adjacent swimming site near by on Red Island is called “The Captains”. Fingal C.C. upgraded both sites 2 years ago. 

All the best from a hooked Springers addict.

I have attached the three page 2010 Sandycove Island (Kinsale) Open Water Swimming local program. On page three are local contacts in Cork. You can best improve you speed, distance, fun and safety by swimming with your nearest group (where ever you live/work).

FOR OTHER OPEN WATER SWIM LOCATIONS/GROUPS IN IRELAND: Please see:

http://www.swimireland.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=678&Itemid=197

Contact me directly if you are looking for international locations/groups.

We have three other things which may interest you:

1. In addition to the two big Cork races above – we have nearly 100 other races in Ireland. See http://www.swimireland.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=642&Itemid=195 for the latest Irish schedule.

2. 313 swimmers belong to a Sandycove Island google group to get weekly and, as the summer comes along, often daily updates on the local open water swimming scene. If you want to join let me know.

3. 156 swimmers are in an Irish marathon swimming google group – many dreaming about an English Channel swim. If you have aspirations to swim 5km to 50km – again let me know.

As well find attached the 2009 open water swimming report for Ireland.

Regards,

Two wonderful places to swim in Kerry Brandon Pier. This also has a tiny beach and a pub. When the tide is in it could be a swimming pool. Also great fun to jump off the Pier. Then a nice cool pint or a cuppa tea. You can sit on the pier wall or on the picnic tables and enjoy the wonderful scenery.

The Marahees. On one side you have a sheltered beach, walk across the dunes and you have waves where you can surf etc. Also beautiful scenery everywhere you look.

Fiona
Dublin

Love the idea of this website. Well done.