Ready to compete? Ensure your technique is race-ready. For children, quality kids swimming lessons build the foundations for competition success. Adults can join Masters swimming clubs for structured competitive training. For open water events, get proper open water coaching. Nervous about your first gala? Read our guide to managing competition anxiety.
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January - March 2026
Winter pool season events including galas, schools championships, and regional competitions.
January 2026 Events
17-18 Jan
Gerry Ryan Memorial Gala
UL Arena, Limerick
24-25 Jan
Swim Ulster Open LC Meet
Aurora, Bangor
31 Jan
Future Challengers Meet 3
Ulster Region
February 2026 Events
1 Feb
Connacht Minor Schools
Galway
6 Feb
Swim Ulster Senior Schools
Ulster Region
15 Feb
Swim Belfast Open Meet
Belfast
20-22 Feb
McCullagh International
National Aquatic Centre, Dublin
March 2026 Events
14-15 Mar
Aspiring Champions Meet 2
Ulster Region
21 Mar
Future Challengers Meet 4
Ulster Region
22 Mar
Irish Schools Relays/Interpros
National
29 Mar
Irish Minor Schools Champs
National
Gerry Ryan Memorial Gala
17th - 18th January 2026
Annual memorial gala attracting swimmers from across Ireland competing for the coveted Gerry Ryan Memorial Trophy.
Venue
UL Arena, University of Limerick
Eligibility
All ages - one of Ireland's largest galas with nearly 1,000 swimmers
Event Details
Organised by Limerick Swimming Club in memory of one of their founders. A key event on the Irish swimming calendar.
Swim Ulster Open LC Meet
24th - 25th January 2026
Long course open meet for swimmers across Ulster and beyond.
Venue
Aurora Sports & Leisure Centre, Bangor
Course Type
Long Course (50m pool)
Event Details
Part of the Swim Ulster competition calendar. Open to all registered swimmers.
McCullagh International Open
20th - 22nd February 2026
Key international competition featuring top swimmers from Ireland and beyond.
Venue
Sport Ireland National Aquatic Centre, Dublin
Course Type
Long Course (50m pool)
International Event
A key international competition on the Irish swimming calendar featuring swimmers from across Europe.
Connacht Minor Schools Championships
1st February 2026
Regional school swimming competition for Connacht province.
Location
Galway
Eligibility
School-age swimmers from Connacht region
Event Details
Qualifier event for Irish Minor Schools Championships. Organised by Swim Ireland Connacht.
Irish Minor Schools Championships
29th March 2026
National school-level swimming championships for minor age groups.
Venue
TBC - National Venue
Eligibility
Qualifiers from regional schools championships
Event Details
The national finals for school-level swimming. Swimmers must qualify through their regional championships.
Irish Schools Relays & Interpros
22nd March 2026
Irish Senior Schools Relays and Schools Interprovincial Championships.
Venue
TBC - National Venue
Competition Format
Relay events and interprovincial team competition
Event Details
Schools compete in relay events and provinces compete in the interprovincial championships.
Ulster Development Series 2026
Swim Ulster runs structured development meets for emerging competitive swimmers:
31 Jan
Future Challengers Meet 3
6 Feb
Senior Schools Cup & Champs
15 Feb
Swim Belfast Open Meet
14-15 Mar
Aspiring Champions Meet 2
21 Mar
Future Challengers Meet 4
April - June 2026
Spring season featuring the Irish Open Championships and early open water events.
Irish Open Championships 2026
8th - 12th April 2026
Ireland's premier national swimming championships, also serving as Commonwealth Games Trials.
Venue
Bangor Aurora Leisure Centre, Bangor
Course Type
Long Course (50m pool)
Spectators
Evening sessions: €5 per session or €20 for five-day pass
Free for Swim Ireland members and parents of competing athletes
Commonwealth Games Trials
This event serves as the selection trials for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow (23 July - 2 August 2026).
Follow Multisport Duathlon
18th April 2026
Multisport event in the stunning Wicklow Mountains.
Location
Glendalough, Co. Wicklow
Eligibility
All levels welcome
Event Details
Part of the Follow Multisport series in one of Ireland's most scenic locations.
Swim Ulster Age Group & Senior LC Championships
1st - 3rd May 2026
Ulster provincial championships for age group and senior swimmers.
Venue
Aurora Sports & Leisure Centre, Bangor
Course Type
Long Course (50m pool)
Event Details
Regional championships for Ulster swimmers. Qualifying times required for entry.
Lough Cutra Castle Multisport
23rd - 24th May 2026
Triathlon, duathlon, aquabike, aquathlon, run and swim races for all ages 9-90.
Location
Lough Cutra Castle, Gort, Co. Galway
Events Offered
Triathlon, Duathlon, Aquabike, Aquathlon, Run, Swim
Event Details
Sanctioned by Triathlon Ireland. Competitors in triathlon/multisport races require a valid TI membership or Day Licence.
Ulster Masters LC Championships
24th May 2026
Ulster provincial masters championships for swimmers aged 25+.
Venue
Aurora Sports & Leisure Centre, Bangor
Eligibility
Masters swimmers aged 25 and over
Event Details
Long course masters competition. Open to all registered masters swimmers in 5-year age groups.
May 2026 Events
1-3 May
Swim Ulster Age Group & Senior LC Champs
Aurora, Bangor
23-24 May
Lough Cutra Castle Multisport
Gort, Galway
24 May
Ulster Masters LC Championships
Aurora, Bangor
July - September 2026
Peak season for open water events and summer championships.
Irish Summer National Youth & Senior Championships
21st - 25th July 2026
Ireland's premier summer championships for youth and senior swimmers (50m).
Venue
Sport Ireland National Aquatic Centre, Blanchardstown
Age Categories
Youth & Senior: 15+ years
Competition Format
Features Super Finals and 'A' Finals for maximum competitive opportunities. Qualifying times required.
Irish Summer National Age Group Championships
July 2026 (Dates TBC)
National championships for age group swimmers (50m).
Venue
UL Sport, University of Limerick
Age Categories
Age Groups: 12-14 years
Competition Format
Age Group championships typically held in early July. Qualifying times required for entry.
Commonwealth Games 2026
23rd July - 2nd August 2026
The largest ever swimming programme at a Commonwealth Games featuring Irish swimmers representing Northern Ireland.
Venue
Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Glasgow, Scotland
New Events
Women's 1500m and Men's 800m Freestyle added for the first time
Irish Representation
Irish swimmers compete for Northern Ireland. Selection trials held at the Irish Open Championships in April 2026.
Ironman Cork 2026
Early August 2026
Full distance Ironman featuring 3.8km swim, 180km bike, and 42.195km run.
Location
Youghal, County Cork
Distances
Full: 3.8km swim | Half (70.3): 1.9km swim
Event Details
Both full Ironman and 70.3 (half Ironman) events available. Check official Ironman site for registration dates.
Dublin City Triathlon 2026
22nd August 2026
Ireland's largest city-centre triathlon in Dublin's iconic Phoenix Park.
Location
Phoenix Park, Dublin
Race Options
Multiple distances available for all abilities
Event Details
The RDJ Dublin City Triathlon returns to the Phoenix Park for another exciting edition.
The Great Fjord Swim 2026
12th September 2026
Swim the crystal-clear Atlantic waters of Killary Fjord surrounded by the mountains of Connemara.
Location
Killary Fjord, Leenane, Co. Galway
Distances
750m | 2km | 3.9km (full Ironman distance)
Event Details
The grand finale of the Gaelforce Great Swim Trilogy. Wetsuit and non-wetsuit swimmers welcome. Includes boat ride to start line.
Dublin City Liffey Swim 2026
September 2026 (Date TBC)
One of Ireland's most iconic and historic swimming events - 2.2km through Dublin's River Liffey.
Location
River Liffey, Dublin City Centre (Rory O'More Bridge to North Wall Quay)
Distance
2.2km open-water race passing under 11 bridges
Qualification Required
Entry requires completion of qualifying open sea races from the Leinster Open Sea Calendar.
Open Water Swimming 2026
Experience the thrill of open water swimming across Ireland's beautiful coastal and inland locations.
Leinster Open Sea 2026
Dates Coming Soon
Summer calendar of open sea races along the Leinster coast. Typical average distance: 1 mile per race.
Locations
Various venues along the Leinster coast including Dublin Bay, Sandycove, Killiney, and more
Season
Typically May - September with races every weekend
2026 Calendar
The 2026 Leinster Open Sea calendar will be released in early 2026. Races qualify for the prestigious Dublin City Liffey Swim.
Open Water Swimmer Ireland
2026 Calendar Coming Soon
Ireland's best open water swimming series featuring the biggest weekend of open water swimming at Glendalough.
Featured Event
Glendalough - Wicklow Mountains (September)
Distances
750m | 1.5km | 3.9km
Who Can Enter
Everyone welcome - wetsuit users, skins advocates, club swimmers, beginners, wild swimmers, racers, and triathletes.
Swim Ireland Open Water Series
May - September 2026
The official Swim Ireland Open Water Series featuring events across Ireland's stunning coastal locations.
Locations
Multiple venues across Ireland including Dublin Bay and other coastal spots
Series
Typically 5-7 events throughout the season
2026 Calendar
The 2026 Open Water Series calendar will be released in early 2026. Check Swim Ireland for updates.
Triathlon Events 2026
Major triathlon events across Ireland featuring swim, bike, and run.
18 April
Follow Duathlon - Glendalough
23-24 May
Lough Cutra Castle - Galway
Early Aug
Ironman Cork - Youghal
22 August
Dublin City Tri - Phoenix Park
TriAthy 2026
The XVIII Edition of TriAthy offers races for all abilities: TA-100 for long-distance enthusiasts, Olympic for tri-traditionalists, Sprint for speedsters, and Try for beginners.
Masters Swimming 2026
Competitive swimming opportunities for adult swimmers aged 25 and over.
Masters Events Calendar
Celtic Masters Gala
Annual gala at the National Aquatic Centre (typically November)
Limerick Masters
Regional masters competition in Limerick
Ulster Masters
Provincial masters championships
Open Water Masters
Summer open water events (May-September)
European Masters 2026
European Aquatics Masters Championships
Club Galas
Regular club-level masters meets throughout the season
Important Information
Registration
Most events require advance registration. Check entry deadlines and qualification requirements on official websites.
Spectators
Some events offer free spectator access, while others require tickets. Check individual event details.
Date Changes
Event dates may be subject to change. Always verify current information on official websites before travelling.
Venues
Major pool events are held at the National Aquatic Centre (Dublin) and UL Sport (Limerick).
Qualification
Many championship events require qualifying times. Check requirements early to plan your season.
Official Sources
Always check Swim Ireland, Triathlon Ireland, and event organisers for the most accurate information.
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