Gaelforce Great Lake Swim Festival 2026
Lake swims, water wellness, music and family fun in Portumna
A weekend of open water swimming, water wellness activities, boat trips, live music and community celebration in Portumna.
Festival Weekend
What to expect
The Gaelforce Great Lake Swim Festival brings together open water swimming, water wellness, family fun and local entertainment for a vibrant weekend in Portumna. Alongside the main lake swim events, visitors can enjoy Tai Chi, yoga, sauna and dip sessions, boat trips, stand up paddle boarding, pedalos, kayaking, family fun activities at the swim area, live music at the finish line from The Amazing Apples, market stalls and live music across the town.
Highlights
Festival highlights
Saturday
Gaelforce Great Lake Swim
The headline open water swim event of the weekend in Portumna.
Find Out MoreSaturday
Family Fun Activities
Family fun at the swim area with trampoline, circus activities and face painting as part of the festival day.
Saturday
Water Wellness Activities
Join us at Connacht Harbour for Tai Chi, yoga, sauna and dip sessions as part of the Gaelforce Great Lake Swim Festival weekend.
Festival Programme
Gaelforce Great Lake Swim Festival Schedule
Portumna • Friday 10th to Sunday 12th July 2026
Selected water wellness activities, boat trips, parking and water activities are available to book through Eventbrite. These activities are delivered in collaboration with Portumna Chamber and the Water Wellness Festival as part of the Gaelforce Great Lake Swim Festival weekend. Free family entertainment and live music will also take place across the festival weekend.
Friday 10th July
Opening Evening
Live Music in Local Pubs
An Caisleán - Shane Dooley at 10:00 PM
Curley’s Bar - Tim Chambers at 10:00 PM
Saturday 11th July
Festival Day
A full day of lake swimming, water wellness, boat trips, water activities, family fun activities and live music in Portumna.
Gaelforce Great Lake Swim
The main swim event of the weekend. Full swim schedule and race details to be confirmed by Gaelforce.
Enter SwimTai Chi
Location: Connacht Harbour
Time: From 7:00 AM
Start the festival day with Tai Chi at Connacht Harbour.
Book Tai ChiYoga
Location: Connacht Harbour
Time: From 8:00 AM
Enjoy a morning yoga session at Connacht Harbour.
Book YogaMorning Sauna & Dip
Location: Connacht Harbour
Time: From 7:00 AM
Relax into the festival day with a morning sauna and dip at Connacht Harbour.
Book Sauna and DipRiver & Lake Cruise
Location: Departing Connacht Harbour at Le Boat
Route: River Shannon
Enjoy a river and lake cruise departing from Connacht Harbour.
Book CruiseRIB Fast Boat Trip
Location: Departing Portumna Bridge
Route: Lough Derg
Take a RIB fast boat trip on Lough Derg from Portumna Bridge.
Book Boat TripWater Activities
Location: Recreational Swimming Park
Activities: Stand-up paddleboarding, pedalos and kayaking
Take part in relaxed water activities at the Recreational Swimming Park as part of the Gaelforce Great Lake Swim Festival weekend.
Book Water ActivitiesFamily Fun Day at the Swim Area
Location: Swimming Area
Activities: Trampoline, circus activities and face painting
Enjoy a family fun day down at the swim area as part of the Gaelforce Great Lake Swim Festival weekend.
FREE - ALL ARE WELCOME
Rickshaws Along the Portumna Blueway
Location: Portumna Blueway
Enjoy free rickshaws along the Portumna Blueway as part of the wider festival activity zone.
FREE
View RickshawsLive Music
Live music across the weekend
Enjoy live music at the finish line and across Portumna as part of the Gaelforce Great Lake Swim Festival weekend.
Saturday
The Amazing Apples at the Finish Line
Location: Finish line
Time: During swimmer arrivals
Enjoy live music from The Amazing Apples as they welcome swimmers across the finish line.
Friday to Sunday
Live Music at An Caisleán
Friday 10th July: Shane Dooley at 10:00 PM
Saturday 11th July: John Luke Reynolds at 10:00 PM
Sunday 12th July: James McKelvey at 7:00 PM
Location: An Caisleán Portumna
Thursday to Sunday
Live Music at Curley’s Bar
Thursday 9th July: Ruth & Brian at 9:30 PM
Friday 10th July: Tim Chambers at 10:00 PM
Saturday 11th July: Paddy Mullane at 10:00 PM
Sunday session: Rían & Knoeline at 7:00 PM
Location: Curley’s Bar Portumna
Sunday 12th July
Festival Finale
Round off the weekend with family fun, heritage entertainment and live music in Portumna.
Medieval Family Fun at Portumna Castle
Location: Portumna Castle
Time: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Step into a medieval afternoon with combat fighters, Viking forgers, a static weapons display, street entertainers, face painting, Punch and Judy, lords, ladies and jesters.
Sunday Evening Music
An Caisleán: James McKelvey at 7:00 PM
Curley’s Bar: Rían & Knoeline at 7:00 PM
Finish the festival weekend with live music across Portumna.
Festival Location
Find us in Portumna
Festival Area
The Gaelforce Great Lake Swim Festival takes place in Portumna, with activities around Connacht Harbour, Portumna Bridge, the Recreational Swimming Park, the Swimming Area and the Portumna Blueway.
The Blueway will be part of the wider festival activity zone, with free rickshaws along the route and easy access between the town, harbour and water activity areas.
View Festival Map
Plan your visit
How to get here & book activities
Getting to Portumna
Portumna is located in County Galway on the River Shannon and close to Lough Derg. Festival activities will take place across Connacht Harbour, Portumna Bridge, the Recreational Swimming Park, the Swimming Area and the Portumna Blueway.
Approximate driving distances and times to Portumna:
Galway City: 80km | approx. 1 hour 15 minutes
Dublin: 165km | approx. 2 hours
Limerick: 95km | approx. 1 hour 25 minutes
Athlone: 55km | approx. 50 minutes
Booking Activities
Selected water wellness activities, boat trips, parking and water activities are available to book through Eventbrite.
These activities are delivered in collaboration with Portumna Chamber and the Water Wellness Festival as part of the Gaelforce Great Lake Swim Festival weekend.
Thank You
With thanks to the Portumna community and local partners
We would like to thank the Portumna community, Portumna Chamber, local activity providers, businesses, publicans and volunteers for supporting the Gaelforce Great Lake Swim Festival weekend. Their involvement helps bring the festival atmosphere to life across the town and along the water.
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