Lake and lough swimming spots in Ireland
Inland freshwater swimming in Ireland — lakes and loughs with published bathing-water monitoring.
Freshwater bathing waters monitored under the same EU Bathing Water Directive as coastal beaches, though the reference values differ: inland waters are assessed against a higher E. coli threshold than coastal ones, because freshwater bacteria behave differently.
Water body type is identified from the spot's name, because neither agency publishes it. A lake whose name does not say so will be missing from this list.
17 spots, grouped by county. Each shows its current swim status — an award or a classification is not the same as today’s water.
Clare
Galway
Leitrim
Monaghan
- Creevy LakeNot monitored
- Emy LoughNot monitored
- Gortnawinney LakeNot monitored
- Greaghlone LakeNot monitored
- Halton's River (Dromore Lake System)Not monitored
- Hollywood LakeNot monitored
- Lough Major - the beachNot monitored
- Lough Muckno Bathing AreaNot monitored
- Lough Muckno _Black Island PointNot monitored
- Lough Muckno Water Sports AreaNot monitored
Westmeath
Common questions
- How many lake and lough swimming spots are there in Ireland?
- 17 — this page lists all of them, grouped by area, with each one's current swim status.
- What does this mean?
- Freshwater bathing waters monitored under the same EU Bathing Water Directive as coastal beaches, though the reference values differ: inland waters are assessed against a higher E. coli threshold than coastal ones, because freshwater bacteria behave differently.
- Can I swim at all of these right now?
- No. 1 of these 17 spots is currently flagged, including 1 under an active do-not-swim notice. A rating or an award describes a past assessment; the status on each spot page is today's. Neither is a safety clearance — bathing-water monitoring covers bacterial quality only, and says nothing about tides, currents, swell or cold-water shock.
- Which areas of Ireland have the most?
- Monaghan (10), Westmeath (3), Clare (2). They are spread across 5 areas in total.