Lanesborough is on the border between Longford and Roscommon and we think we swam on the Longford side. Neither county is renowned for swimming spots so we were glad to add this as a Longford location.

We found a nice place to get in on the east side of the town’s bridge, just before you cross the county boundary. Access to the water was from a concrete path which runs alongside the lake. It was a bit difficult so pick your spot carefully. The water was dark with good depth and lovely for swimming. As always with lakes be careful as you can’t see what is underneath the surface. No jumping or diving.

Alternatively, you could get in at the little harbour nearby which has a slipway. We didn’t try it and the water might be less clean with the various boats coming and going. See update below.

Near to the lake there is plenty of green space for picnics and forest walks start just beyond the car park. All in all this is an attractive place for a swim. There are no problems with access.

Directions:

From Longford town take the N63 to Lanesborough. As you drive down the main street watch for a left turn for a car park just before you come to the bridge. Drive along this road past the playground and you will come to an open parking area with the harbour and lake nearby.

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Local Swimming Community

There is a thriving local open water swimming scene. There are groups swimming from Lanesboro twice a day from various different organisation. We coordinate using a whatsapp group.

New pontoon access to the water

Recently the Lanesboro tidy towns group installed a pontoon for access to the water on the lanesboro side.

Following this the tri club liaised with waterways Ireland to have an area removed from the navigational channel so that it would be free from boat traffic and safe for open water swimmers.

We also have three buoys in a triangle formation to indicate the safe swim course, this is typically around 450m per loop.

Two Provinces Triathlon

Lanesborough is also the location of the Two Provinces Triathlon which takes place in June of each year, the race is a key battleground for the country’s top triathletes as they compete in the Triathlon Ireland National Series.