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Big Splash for €2 million open swim in Lough Derg


SPORTING, semi-state and local authorities expect to make a €2 million splash for the local economy during a two-day open swim event in Lough Derg in September.
The promoters of Immersed in Ireland (i3) are hoping to attract up to 2,000 swimmers to the region over the weekend of September 16-18.
The mass participation open water event, the first of its kind in Ireland ,is being organised by Shannon Development and the University of Limerick Activity Centre, with the support of the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau, North Tipperary County Council and Clare County Council.
This event takes place in the University of Limerick Activity Centre near Killaloe.
Speaking about the significance of the event, Pat Daly, tourism division manager at Shannon Development, explained the authority has been targeting new sports events that have the potential to attract additional visitors to the Shannon Region.
“The new i3 Swim event is the latest of five world and international events secured by Shannon Development, in partnership with the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau, for the region this year. In identifying this niche opportunity for a mass participation open water swim event, we hope to attract up to 2,000 swimmers and generate €2 million for the local economy.
“Sports events in the Shannon Region last year generated in excess of €60 million and research has indicated that there is a real appetite for a swim event of this distance and nature, both domestically and internationally. If successful, we would hope to make this an annual event,” added Mr Daly.
David Mahedy, director of sport and recreation at the University of Limerick, said the university is very excited to be working alongside Shannon Development to bring an event of this size to Lough Derg.
“It will be a great opportunity to showcase to people, young and old, the fantastic amenities we have to offer in the Killaloe/Ballina area,” he added.
Three separate swim events are planned to cater for as wide an audience as possible, from 14 years up: a 0.8km (Snamh Beag – 1/2 mile) event open to all; a 1.60 km (Shannon mile) open to all and the five-kilometre main attraction event aimed at more accomplished swimmers.
The Long Way to Tipperary, a five kilometre swim, will begin at the UL Activity Centre, Twomilegate and finish at the Ballina Water Park recreational area. This is the official Olympic distance for open water events.
It addition to the 2,000 swimmers, 5,000 spectators are expected to give a welcome boost to the local economy. Other mass participation sports events which Shannon Development are associated with and held in the Shannon Region include The Great Limerick Run, which attracted 6,000 participants and the Sky Ride Etape Hibernia, which attracted 2,000 cyclists in its inaugural year. For further information about the event, check out www.i3swim.com

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