Your
route

800m Distance

A very achievable swim and the ideal length for first timers. You’ll swim with the current to the finish line on the riverbank at Lanesborough.

32 lengths of a 25m pool.
Cut off time: You must finish in 40 minutes.

3.5km Distance

A more challenging swim starting further upstream, you’ll swim with the current to the finish line at Lanesborough. Perfect for those with a bit more experience.

124 lengths of a 25m pool
Cut off time: You must finish in 1 hour 30 minutes.

5.8km Distance

Set yourself a real challenge and swim this longer downstream route. You’ll need to be a confident and experienced open water swimmer to compete at this distance.

232 lengths of a 25m pool.
Cut off time: You must reach the halfway marker in 1 hour 30 minutes.
If the water temperature is 11 degrees celsius or below you must wear a wetsuit.

12km Distance

Set yourself the ultimate challenge and swim this longest downstream route in Ireland. Please note this race is for experienced swimmers only. Due to the length and nature of the course, with many turns in the river, we cannot guarantee you will be in sight of a safety boat or kayaker at all times. Please keep this in mind when you decide to enter.

You’ll need to be over 18 years old and have completed a 3.9km swimming race within the last 12 months and provide proof of this in the form of an email to compete at this distance. Due to the length of the swim, the race director will make the final decision if you are allowed to compete in this distance.

480 lengths of a 25m pool.
Cut-off time: You must reach the halfway marker (5.8km) in 2hrs 15min. The total route cut-off time is 5 hours. If you do not make either of these, you will be taken out of the water for your own safety.
Wetsuits are compulsory for this event.
All 12km swimmers will be supplied with a GLS300 GPRS tracker so that our safety team will know where all competitors are at all times. We will be renting this and the specialized tow float that it travels in free of charge (€35) for this inaugural year.

Safety & entry requirements

The water temperature at this time of year is usually around 12°C. You’ll need some open water swimming experience to compete in all distances. Choose your distance carefully – you’ll need to have experience of swimming this distance in similar temperatures before you compete.

Tow-floats must be worn by all competitors. You can rent these when you enter or on the day at the information desk. Our team of expert kayakers and safety boats will be with you all the way and there will be a medical team on hand.

Part of the Great Swim Trilogy

This is the first event of the Gaelforce Great Swim Trilogy. Swim in the River Shannon, Lough Derg and Killary Fjord to complete the trilogy and collect your exclusive Gaelforce Great Swim Trilogy branded towel robe! Sign up for all three at the same time before the deadline on the 17 May 2025 to qualify.

We’ve designed the Great Swim Trilogy to follow the journey from lake to river to sea. With events in late spring, mid-summer and autumn, you can build your experience and distances as you go. The perfect challenge for your swimming year.
Gaelforce Great Lake Swim | Gaelforce Great Fjord Swim

Route map