- Lough Ree (Portrunny Bay): Lough Ree, a large lake on the River Shannon system, straddles Roscommon, Longford, and Westmeath. Portrunny Bay, near Ballymurray, is a popular wild swimming spot in Roscommon, known for its sheltered waters and scenic jetty, often used by local swimmers and triathlon groups. A tranquil bay with calm waters, surrounded by grassy shores and views of distant islands like Inchcleraun, offering a serene, open-water experience. Clear, cold waters (10–15°C) with a gradual depth increase from the jetty, suitable for all skill levels. Shallow areas near the shore are ideal for beginners, while deeper waters suit longer swims. Entry is via a jetty or grassy banks. Parking at Portrunny Bay, but no lifeguards or changing rooms. Nearby Roscommon town offers cafés like The Yew Tree for post-swim refreshments. Water quality is rated good (EPA, 2024), but not specifically for bathing. Swim with a companion, use a tow float for visibility, and avoid boat traffic. Check for algae or debris, especially after rain.
- Lough Key (Lough Key Forest Park): Lough Key, within Lough Key Forest Park near Boyle, is a stunning lake surrounded by woodland, islands, and historic structures like McDermott’s Castle. While known for boating and walking, quieter shores near the park’s edges are used for wild swimming by locals. A picturesque lake with forested shores, island views, and a fairy-tale castle, creating a magical, nature-immersed setting for swimming. Cold, clear waters (10–15°C) with pebbly or grassy entry points, best for cautious swimmers in shallow areas. Deeper sections suit confident swimmers. Swim shoes are recommended for rocky lakebeds. Parking, toilets, and a café at Lough Key Forest Park, but no lifeguards. Boyle town, nearby, has pubs like Kate Lavin’s for post-swim warmth. Water quality is not tested for swimming (EPA, 2024). Swim with a companion, use a tow float, and avoid areas with boat or jet-ski activity. Check for weeds or underwater hazards.
- River Shannon (Roosky): The River Shannon at Roosky, a village on the Roscommon-Leitrim border, offers a wild swimming spot near the marina or grassy banks, where locals swim in calmer stretches of the river. It’s less prominent but valued for its accessibility. A wide, gentle river with lush banks and views of Roosky’s bridge, offering a peaceful, rural setting with occasional wildlife like herons. Gentle currents in shallow areas (10–15°C) suit cautious swimmers, with deeper pools for experienced ones. Entry is via grassy banks or small jetties, but swim shoes are advised for muddy or rocky riverbeds. Parking near Roosky Marina, but no lifeguards or changing rooms. Roosky village has cafés like The Coffee Pot for post-swim refreshments. Water quality is moderate (EPA, 2024), not tested for bathing. Avoid swimming after heavy rain due to runoff risks. Swim with a companion, use a tow float, and stay clear of boat traffic.
Roscommon’s wild swimming spots are not designated bathing areas, so water quality isn’t monitored for swimming. Check EPA updates (www.beaches.ie) (www.beaches.ie) and avoid swimming after heavy rain due to runoff risks. Never swim alone, check for currents or boat traffic (especially on Lough Ree and the Shannon), and be aware of cold-water risks (hypothermia). Wetsuits, swim shoes, and warm post-swim clothing are essential. Follow Water Safety Ireland guidelines.
As a landlocked county, Roscommon’s swimming is limited to lakes and rivers. Lough Ree and Lough Key are the most prominent, with the River Shannon as a secondary option. Smaller lakes like Lough Allen or Lough Gara are less noted for swimming due to access or ecological restrictions. Bring a tow float for visibility, particularly in busier waters like Lough Ree.
Towns like Roscommon, Boyle, and Roosky offer cafés and pubs for post-swim comfort. Check wildswim.ie for local tips or group swims. Roscommon’s wild swimming community is small but growing, with local triathlon clubs (e.g., Lough Key Triathlon) occasionally using Lough Ree. Check X or wildswim.ie for group swims or updates. Events like open-water swims in nearby Longford (e.g., Two Provinces Triathlon) may attract Roscommon swimmers. Lough Ree and Lough Key are ecologically sensitive. Follow Leave No Trace principles to protect wildlife (e.g., birds, fish) and avoid littering.
County Roscommon:
Ireland’s county Roscommon combines historic sites with tranquil landscapes, with Roscommon Castle’s imposing ruins offering a glimpse into medieval Ireland. Lough Key Forest Park provides boating and treetop canopy walks, while the Arigna Mining Experience explores the county’s industrial past. Other attractions include the sacred site of Rathcroghan, linked to ancient mythology. Roscommon is Ireland’s 11th largest county by size (2,463 square km) and eighth smallest by population (70,259). Population peaked at 253,591 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 53,519 in 1971. In terms of hospitality, Roscommon is Ireland’s 31st most visited and Ireland’s second least visited tourist county with around 25,000 international visitors per year.
Introduction – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Camping – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Gardens – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Hotels8 – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Musicians – Name – New – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Sacred Places – Saints – Spas – Sports – Sunsets– Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837 – 1846– 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
Wild swimming
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
