Now in its fourth year, this event is organised by Brian O’Shea and entries are now open. They have a Facebook Page here or you can email ardgroomswim@hotmail.com.

The first year in 2013 it was billed as a 5km event and we were all delighted with ourselves when we finished and got our times.  Ned The Fun-Ruiner Denison then announced that it was, in fact, more like 4km, so it became a 4km event and our times didn’t look so good.  These feckin’ precise people would just annoy you.  Wouldn’t they?

Ned The Fun-Ruiner Denison – 4km my A$%.

Glenbeg Lake in Ardgroom was the scene of a momentous event in Open Water Swimming history,  of course.  The 2013 swim was the first 5km swim for a young man called Denis Condon – just setting out on his star-studded OWS career.  “It’s feckin’ 5k no matter what yer man says”, Mr. Condon was quoted as saying at the time.

Denis Condon finishes a great swim in Ardgroom Lake.  August 4, 2013.

So, get entering now.  Any excuse to visit the beautiful Beara Peninsula should be grabbed.  There’s a misconception that you go to West Cork if you visit Schull or Baltimore etc.  These are just suburbs of the City.  To really go West – go to Beara.