Tipperary: Where Mountains Meet the Water
Ireland's Premier County offers unique swimming experiences from modern leisure centres to glacial mountain lakes. Home to Lough Derg's pristine waters, the Knockmealdown Mountains, and strong competitive swimming traditions.
🏊♀️ Why Choose Tipperary Swimming
- • Thurles Leisure Centre: 25m pool with spa facilities
- • Roscrea Leisure Centre: Community-focused swimming
- • Clonmel Swimming Club: Competitive excellence
- • Mountain lake swimming in pristine glacial corries
- • Lough Derg: Blue Flag beach and Blueway trails
🏔️ Unique Swimming Opportunities
- • Bay Lough: Legendary glacial mountain swimming
- • Lough Derg Way: 64km of lakeside trails
- • Golden Vale views from mountain lakes
- • Ireland's inland "Blueway" swimming destination
- • Historic thermal experiences at modern centres
Swimming Pools in Tipperary
Thurles Leisure Centre
State-of-the-Art Facilities - Cathedral Street, Thurles
Pool Specifications
- • 25m, 5-lane deck level pool - Competition standard
- • High-spec design with modern filtration systems
- • Spa area with sauna & steam room
- • Integrated gym with TechnoGym equipment
- • Professional lifeguarding and safety standards
- • Excellent facilities consistently praised by users
Swimming Programs:
- • TLC Swim School: Children's structured lessons
- • Private Swim Lessons: One-to-one instruction
- • Adult Swimming Lessons: Learn at any age
- • Aqua Aerobics: Low-impact fitness
- • Summer Intensive Programs: Holiday courses
- • Lane Hire: Dedicated training sessions
Facility Features
Comprehensive Wellness
Pool, gym, sauna, steam room - complete fitness destination
Community Focus
Local gem serving Thurles and surrounding areas
Pool Parties
Birthday celebrations with interactive lifeguards
Youth Programs
Teen Fit and summer camps for active kids
Contact Thurles Leisure:
+353 (0)504 58640
reception@thurleslc.ie
Cathedral Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary
thurleslc.ie
Roscrea Leisure Centre
Community-Owned Excellence - Dublin Road, Roscrea
Community Swimming
- • Community-owned facility since 1999
- • Professional pool timetables posted weekly
- • Swimming programs for all ages and abilities
- • Qualified lifeguards with monthly training
- • Employment opportunities - hiring lifeguards
- • Lifeguard courses available August 2025
Swimming Services:
Community Values
Code of Conduct:
High standards for customers and members of the public ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all swimmers.
Contact Roscrea Leisure:
0505 23822
reception@roscrealc.ie
Dublin Road, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary
roscrealc.ie
Clara Swimming Pool
Community Built & Owned - Offaly Border Excellence
Training Excellence
- • Royal Lifesaving Society registered training center
- • Swim Ireland registered training center
- • Monthly lifeguard training compulsory for all staff
- • Community-owned facility since September 1999
- • Limited company not having share capital
- • Supported by POBAL Community Service Program
Community Mission:
"The Community Built It, The Community Own It"
Run for the community - it's yours, help maintain it for your children & grandchildren by using and supporting it.
Funding & Support
Support Clara Swimming:
Your support is vital to maintain this facility for future generations. Help keep this community asset thriving.
Website: claraswimmingpool.ie
Swimming Clubs in Tipperary
Clonmel Swimming Club (CSC)
Competitive Excellence - Established 1992
Club Excellence
- • Boys and Girls aged 7+ competitive swimming
- • Welfare first: Swimmer welfare and enjoyment prioritized
- • Year-round training: Continuous development programs
- • Competition focus: Regular galas and championships
- • Club structure: Multiple squads based on ability
- • Professional coaching: Qualified swim instructors
Recent Achievements (2025):
- • Munster Championships: Multiple medals and personal bests
- • Future Challenger Gala: 13 medals won
- • Community Games: Gold medalists representing Tipperary
- • Dundrum 10k: Harry Weymouth gold medal winner
- • National Qualifiers: Multiple swimmers advancing
Club Programs & Support
Squad Structure
A Squad, Sharks Club Captain system with experienced leadership
Female Leadership
Celebrating Women in Sport with female club captains
Volunteer Community
Dedicated parent volunteers supporting club operations
Competition Success
Regular personal bests and championship achievements
Join Clonmel Swimming:
Website: clonmelsc.com
Registration: Swim Ireland portal
Perfect for: Competitive swimmers aged 7+ seeking excellence and team spirit
Mountain Lake Swimming
Bay Lough - Knockmealdown Mountains
Glacial Corrie Swimming - Legendary Mountain Experience
Legendary Swimming
- • Glacial corrie lake - 18,000 years old
- • Mountain legends: "The haunted lake, the bottomless lake"
- • Historic challenge: "No-one could swim across it"
- • 9-10°C water temperature - invigorating cold water
- • Dark peaty water from mountain run-off
- • Golden Vale views - world's richest agricultural land
Access & Location:
- • The Vee: Scenic mountain drive access
- • 2km walk: From car park along mountain boreen
- • 400m x 200m: Modest oval lake perfect for swimming
- • Rhododendron blooms: Spectacular May-June display
- • Channel swimmer tested: Ireland's elite swimmers visit
Swimming Experience
Mystical Atmosphere
Legend of "Petticoat Lucy, the Witch of Bay Lough" adds mystique
Elite Swimming Destination
Featured in LoneSwimmer blog and Channel swimmer training
Desolate Beauty
"Struck by the feeling of loneliness that surrounds the area"
Cold Water Challenge
Perfect for cold water training and mountain adventure
Safety Guidelines:
- • Mountain conditions: Weather can change rapidly
- • Cold water preparation: Wetsuit recommended
- • Swimming buddy: Never swim alone in mountain lakes
- • Local knowledge: Inform others of your plans
- • Limited access: 2km walk required to reach lake
Lough Derg Swimming
Lough Derg Blueway
Ireland's Hidden Heartlands - Blue Flag Beach & Blueway Trails
Ireland's Largest Lake
- • Blue Flag beach at Mountshannon (Co. Clare side)
- • Lough Derg Way: 64km trail with Tipperary sections
- • Three trailheads in Tipperary: Killaloe/Ballina, Garrykennedy, Dromineer
- • Pristinely clean waters - naturally sparkling blue
- • Lifeguard service during bathing season
- • EU Habitats Directive - five protected habitats
Swimming Locations:
- • Dromineer: Popular harbour and marina swimming
- • Garrykennedy: Gastropubs and marina access
- • Killaloe/Ballina: Twin towns with water activities
- • Mountshannon: Blue Flag beach, lifeguarded
- • Shallow swimming areas: Perfect for families
Water Activities & Trails
Blueway Adventures
Kayaking, paddleboarding, and guided water sports
Lough Derg Way Walking
64km trail with stunning lakeside views and historic sites
Boat Hire & Cruises
Shannon Lakeboat hire and Killaloe River Cruises
Wildlife Watching
White-tailed eagles, grebes, swans, and diverse birdlife
Explore Lough Derg:
Info Centre: discoverloughderg.ie
Perfect for: Family swimming, open water training, scenic lake adventures
Region: Ireland's Hidden Heartlands tourism region
Tipperary's Swimming Heritage
Competitive Excellence
Clonmel Swimming Club Legacy
Over 30 years of competitive swimming excellence since 1992
Munster Championship Success
Recent medals and personal bests at regional competitions
Community Swimming
Strong community-owned facilities in Roscrea and Clara
Premier County Pride
Tipperary's swimming reflects the county's sporting excellence
Natural Swimming Heritage
Bay Lough Legends: Mystical mountain lake swimming with 18,000-year history
Lough Derg Blueway: Ireland's Hidden Heartlands premier water destination
Elite Training: Channel swimmers choose Tipperary for mountain lake training
Golden Vale Views: Swimming with world's most scenic agricultural backdrop
Glacial Heritage: Swimming in landscapes shaped by ice age
Community Values: Volunteer-run facilities serving future generations
Swimming Diversity:
From modern leisure centres to mystical mountain lakes, Tipperary offers Ireland's most diverse swimming experiences - truly living up to its "Premier County" reputation.
Ready to Explore Tipperary Swimming?
From legendary mountain lakes to modern leisure centres - Tipperary offers Ireland's most unique swimming adventures!