Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

Volunteers at Red Bay RNLI saved a swimmer on Monday evening (13 June) after she got into difficulty 200m from the shore at Cushendall in County Antrim. The inshore lifeboat helmed by Emmet Connon and with three crew members onboard,…

Both Wicklow RNLI lifeboats were launched after 09:45 am this morning (Saturday 4 June), following reports of a missing swimmer at Silver Stand beach. The alarm was raised after the wife of the swimmer became concerned for his safety and…

Pioneering sea swimmer Mercedes Gleitze was the first British woman to cross the English Channel and first to navigate the Straits of Gibraltar. On August 3rd, 1931, Gleitze swam from the Aran island of Inis Meáin to Awleen bay in…

The Fingal Swim Fest on north Dublin’s Donabate/Portrane peninsula and Mayo’s River Moy Swim are among events taking place in June for Swim Ireland’s new open water programme. The Enniscrone Pier swim in Sligo on July 3rd, Youghal Swim Fest…

Dublin Bay sailor Guy O’Leary is back in the water and challenging himself again to swim a mile each day during the month of May in aid of cancer research. Each day of the MileADayInMay! swimming challenge will see Guy…

“People who swim at beaches, lakes and rivers,” are being asked to tell the Council if they think “existing designated bathing waters” should be maintained or new ones identified.” Local authorities must identify official bathing areas in their area every…

Donegal-born former Army Ranger, lifeguard, diver and swim instructor Henry O’Donnell has become the first man to finswim around Ireland. The solo swimmer completed 1,569 kilometres, equivalent to 847 nautical miles, when he landed at Carrickfin beach in the Donegal…

Renowned swimmer Henry O’Donnell is set to bring his 1500km, round Ireland Finswim to a close. In doing so he will become the first person to circumnavigate the island of Ireland by swimming with the use of fins. The expedition…

RTÉ News reports that a man in his 50s has died after getting into difficulty while swimming near Skibbereen yesterday (Sunday 1 May). It’s believed the man may have suffered a heart attack while the water in Lough Hyne around…

Sea swimmers around Ireland are encouraged to give their input via an online survey to inform bathing water policy, as Independent.ie reports. The national Bathing Water Expert Group wants to find out more information about where, when and why people…

RTÉ News reports that a woman has died after a number of swimmers got into difficulty off Greystones in Co Wicklow earlier today (Saturday 23 April). The deceased was one of three women in their 50s who were recovered from…

The RNLI in Carrybridge and Enniskillen on Lough Erne received a donation of £1500 from Wild Blue Green Yonder following a charity swim around Castle Island in Enniskillen. The swim was held in September as part of the Festival Lough Erne…

Volunteers at Newcastle RNLI rescued a swimmer who got into difficulty in rough seas close to the Co Down harbour this morning (Wednesday 2 March). Two volunteers and three visiting staff members were working at the lifeboat station when shortly…

Donegal-born former Army Ranger, lifeguard, diver and swim instructor Henry O'Donnell broke his neck during the bicycle section of a triathlon 30 years ago, but hasn't looked back since his recovery. Anrí Ó Dómhnaill, a father and grandfather, has trekked…

A Donegal octogenarian has completed his marathon effort to swim at as many spots around the Irish coast as possible — raising more than €100,000 for charity in the process. As the Sunday World reports, Paddy Conaghan skipped Christmas and…

The RNLI is urging anyone taking part in open water swims and dips to be aware of the risks after revealing five people are alive today after being rescued in swimming-related incidents last winter*. Cold water shock is a very…