October 2010 County Louth isn’t renowned for its swimming spots and Giles Quay is one of the better ones. This is an attractive harbour, located off the road to Carlingford and the Cooley mountains. The beach here is a mixture read more…

There are plenty of lakes in Monaghan and this is one of the nicest ones we know, both for swimming and walking. Muckno is an attractive estate, incorporating a golf course, bar/restaurant and the impressive lake. As you go through read more…

April 2011 Don’t even think of trying to find this lake without a map, compass or sat-nav, preferably all three. The lake is located in the grounds of the Tyrone Guthrie Centre, a retreat where artists can come and stay read more…

Lough Lene is a very attractive and well maintained place to have a swim. Across the road from a good sized car park you pass through a gateway into a well kept area of the lake with a distinct swimming read more…

  May 2011 Lough Derg is one of the most attractive lakes in the country, large and with a varied shore line. The swimming spot, about 5 kilometres outside Killaloe, is a lovely place to visit . This is a read more…

Jarley’s Cove, Kinsale June 2011 Jarleys Cove is a small beach located just a couple of kilometres outside Kinsale town. When we visited the tide was out and we didn’t see it at its best. The beach was covered with read more…

Lough Hyne, West Cork June 2011 Lough Hyne is Ireland’s first marine nature reserve and a lovely place to swim into the bargain. This lake is home to over 1000 underwater plant species along with a number of rare fish. read more…

June 2011 Owenahincha is a fine expanse of beach, with plenty of room to walk, run, play and swim. Just round the corner is The Long Strand which is good for walking but dangerous for swimming. Take notice of the read more…

June 2011 Red Strand is smaller and less impressive than nearby Inchydony, but in its own way it is just as attractive. Located in Dirk Bay, this is a sheltered beach with good views across to Galley Head lighthouse on read more…

June 2011 Redbarn is a classic holiday beach- long , open and somewhat windswept. When we were there it was low tide. The water was calm but it was a bit of walk in to have a swim. Still, this read more…

June 2011 Well it’s definitely sandy and it’s also a cove, and it’s also about the same size as a large beach towel. Well maybe a bit bigger. Sandycove is an attractive little cove, sheltered by high cliffs. We were read more…

June 2011 Sheep’s Head is a lovely peninsula in West Cork, but it isn’t so good for swimming. In a day long tour we didn’t find any decent beaches and had to make do with swimming from piers in what read more…

June 2011 The Warren is smaller and quieter than its ‘big brother’ round the corner in Owenahinca, but maybe all the better for that. This beach is sheltered by cliffs and the water here is calmer and easier for swimming. read more…

June 2011 If it’s a beach you are looking for then don’t visit Tragumna at full tide. When we arrived the tide was in and the beach was gone. Still if it’s a swim you want then this is a read more…

June 2011 If you want to swim here make sure you check the tides first. We didn’t, and ended up arriving at low tide to see a vast expanse of not very white sand, and not a lot of water. read more…

July 2011 Cavan seems to be particularly good at organising water safety classes for young people and Annagh Lake is another location where these classes are run. When we were there a number of children were undergoing instruction. We had read more…

July 2011 We are not quite sure of the status of this swimming pool area, located just beside Gartylough. To call it a proper swimming pool would be stretching it and there was no one there to ask when we read more…

July 2011 Lough Oughter is set in the very attractive surrounds of Killykeen Forest Park, a national park full of trails for walking and with plenty of water, and fish, for the fishermen. The swimming area is a good place read more…

Graiguenemanagh, River Barrow July 2011 Graig, for short, is located alongside the River Barrow and is a well used boating stop. When we were there the river had plenty of boats moored with lots of people messing about in them. read more…

July 2011 Inistioge is an attractive village on the River Nore. The swimming spot is located just outside the town. The river is tidal and when we were there it was very shallow and not attractive for swimming. We were read more…