Lough Key Swim Club

Following on from our last event in portumna it’s been all FEMALE representation since 😳💪 Helen Gormley travelled to ballina as our only representative in the River Moy Swim, after the long dry spell there wasn’t much of a flow compared to last years splash an dash, Helen was delighted as she got better value for money this year 🏊🏼‍♀️ 😂

Next up was the Gartan Open Water Swimmers Inch Mile in Rathmullan (Donegal) where we had our first ever entrants, Áine Higgins and Una MacDermott make the long journey through the “Hills of Donegal” then boarded a ferry to be taking 1 mile out in to Lough Swilly where all swimmers jump off and swim back to beach ⛴️

We stayed a little bit closer to home this weekend an headed to Glencar Lough Swim for there annual fundraising swim in a beautiful setting with mountains on both sides of the lake ⛰️ 🏊🏼‍♂️ Siobhán Keenahan, Therese Duignan and Áine Higgins flew the flag for us this year 💪

River Moy 2.5k
Helen Gormley 1.11 25th Female

Inch Mile
Una Mac Dermott 46.20 16th Female
Áine Higgins 1.04 43rd Female

Glencar 1k
Áine Higgins 27.25 16th Female

Glencar 2k
Siobhán Keenahan 41.04 4th Female
Therese Duignan 57.04 11th Female

A follow up on the algae situation in Lough Key, yes it’s still very prevalent in lots of areas around the lake, Roscommon County Council are advising against swimming in all waters effected by the algae bloom ☠️

Today August 13th there is still lots of families swimming in the doon shore even tho the algae is visibly present as you can see in the photos that were taken today 🤢

🚨 Anyone walking dogs ANYWHERE around lough key lake beware there is now a dense growth of algae especially along the shore lines, and can be lethal to dogs ⚠️ Not ideal conditions for swimming in either as it can cause skin irritation or unpleasant stomach aches if any is swallowed 🤢

We’re a few weeks behind with posting recent events due to a few different issues but better late than never 😬

On July 11th we headed to portumna for the second of the Gaelforce Events trilogy swims and just like last year the weather was fantastic aka baking sunshine 🌞

We had swimmers in both the 750m and 2000m and both distances were reading a quite bit longer on the GPS watches 💪 Plus we had 1 swimmer that got sort of lost an was going the wrong way but we won’t say who 🤐 We have 2 medals to report 👏🏻

Edward McGuire came home just in front to win the 750m for the second year in a row in Lough Derg 🏅 Lorcan Kirwan was just pipped for 3rd but was first home in his age category in the 2000m 🎖️ Well done to all the swimmers it was a great day out ❤️

750m
Edward McGuire 15.36 1st Male

2000m
Lorcan Kirwan 43.33 4th Male
Paula Sharkey 56.06 19th Female
Fiona Davis 59.28 33rd Female
Kirsty Ainge 1.13 69th Female
Áine Higgins 1.16 70th Female
Mags Wade 1.21 76th Female
Helen Gormley 1.30 78th Female

🙏🏻 Owner Located 🏊🏼‍♀️

I spoke to 2 swimmers that was swimming inside the piers at doon shore this afternoon, they were gone when I got out but they left these hand paddles after them 🙈 We brought them with us so if they see this post send us a message and we’ll get them back to ye 🤞

Swim Ireland Me and the Water

Well that's a wrap on the first Swim Ireland Open Water National Series to come to Lough Key Forest & Activity Park, huge well done to all the swimmers that took part as it was the largest turn out ever for the Open Water National Series 🙏🏻 🏊🏻‍♂️

Unfortunately conditions weren't on our side today there was heavy drizzle, strong gusts and very choppy conditions throughout the swim course, worse than what was forecast 🌧 🌪

Some of the marker buoys blew away from there positions resulting in some distances been shorter than intended, one even blew up on an island 🛟 🏝 The kayakers also found it hard to stay afloat, some even toppled over 🛶

Surely it can't be as bad next year.....

🔔 Last call to register, entries will close this evening at 5pm ⏰ Current lake temperature is 20 degrees 🛁 First swim will start on Sunday at 10am 🏊

🚨 🚨 ⚠️MARINE NOTICE⚠️ 🚨 🚨
No. 79 of 2026: Lough Key – Irish National Open Water Swimming Championships

Issued: 17 July 2026

Waterways Ireland wishes to advise masters of vessels and all waterway users that Swim Ireland will host the Irish National Open Water Swimming Championships at Lough Key, Co. Roscommon, on Sunday, 26 July 2026.

The event will be based at Lough Key Forest & Activity Park. To facilitate the safe conduct of the championships, a Vessel Exclusion Zone will be in place between 0800 hrs and 1400 hrs (see map below).

The swim course will be clearly marked by highly visible buoys and will be actively patrolled by safety RIBs and event safety personnel.

During the event:

• No vessels, personal watercraft, anglers or other water users may enter, transit, anchor or otherwise operate within the designated swim area, except official safety and event support craft.
• Entry to and exit from Lough Key & Drummond jetties will be prohibited while racing is in progress.
• Masters of vessels must comply with all directions issued by event marshals, safety craft and Waterways Ireland personnel.
• Normal navigation will resume only after all competitors have safely exited the water and the exclusion zone has been lifted.

Further information on the event is available from Irish National Open Water Championships - Swim Ireland.

Waterways Ireland thanks all waterway users for their cooperation in observing these temporary navigation restrictions and helping to ensure the safe running of this national championship.