Open Lough Derg swim nets €250,000

SPORTS tourism is being hailed as the key to generating a significant economic spin-off from Lough Derg, after the first open water swim event generated an estimated €250,000 for businesses in the twin communities of Killaloe and Ballina.
According to Shannon Development, over 250 people participated in the inaugural Immersed in Ireland (i3) open water swim event, which took place on Lough Derg at Killaloe/Ballina recently.
This included 87 people who completed the gruelling 5km swim from the University of Limerick Activity Centre at Ballycuggeran through the new canal gates opened by Waterways Ireland and onto the slipway in Ballina.
Pat Day, tourism and marketing manager, Shannon Development, said the company is very pleased with the event.
“Over 900 spectators and competitors, 25% from outside the Shannon Region travelling from as far as Donegal and Sligo, visited Killaloe/Ballina during the course of the two-day event.
“In association with the University of Limerick Activity Centre and with the continued support of the local authorities and other interested bodies, we intend to develop and grow the i3 open water swim event into the future,” he said.
UL Activity Centre manager, Ger Cunningham said the success of the event has enabled the University of Limerick Activity Centre to once again develop closer links with the towns of Killaloe/Ballina, as well as fostering better relations with the local community.
“Together we have an unbeatable product that can only make this event on Lough Derg even more successful over the coming years,” he said.
North Tipperary county councillor, Phyll Bugler insists sports tourism is the key to unlocking the economic potential of Lough Derg and its associated amenities, which provided a haven for anglers, swimmers, walkers, cyclists and hikers.
In 2010, the Brian Boru triathlon attracted in the region of 100 entries. This year, the entries jumped fourfold to 450, which illustrates the demand for challenging endurance sporting activities.
Councillor Bugler said a large number of bed and breakfast and accommodation providers in the Ballina and Killaloe area benefited from the staging of i3. Local traders also took the opportunity to sell food and refreshments to spectators at temporary stands on the day. She said the event created a huge buzz of excitement and anticipation in the area.
“The whole event was exhilarating, watching competitors make the trip from Clare at the UL Activity Centre down through the canal on to Tipperary, finishing at the Ballina slipway.
“It was the first time we had an open water swim event on the River Shannon and it got a great reaction from spectators. Sports tourism is definitely on the way up and is ideal to promote what Lough Derg has to offer people who want a difficult sporting challenge.
“We had a lot of enquiries from Germany and Holland about the event, which is great promotion for the area,” she said.
The event comprised three separate swims: a 0.8km, Snamh Beag – ½ mile; a 1.6km, Shannon mile; and a 5km event aimed at more accomplished swimmers.
The first non-wetsuited male home in the 5km swim was Chris Bryan and the first female was Ailbhe Carroll. They were crowned king and queen of the lake. The first wet-suited male home was Bryan Keane and the first female was Lynne Algar.
Rory McGeever, son of local photographer, Charlie McGeever and Afric Devane, Ballina, were two of the local competitors who performed well.
A splash and dash event was also organised for children at Ballina Swimming Pool.