Safety in numbers at Limerick beauty spot

A GROUP has been established to provide safety in numbers for those who enjoy swimming at one of the most beautiful parts of the Shannon.

Twice each day, a hardy band of wild swimmers gather at the Kilteery Pier in Loughill, West Limerick, where they make a splash along the Shannon Estuary.

Due to its relatively isolated location – unsighted from the main road – it was agreed to form the group to ensure nobody is swimming alone.

“The group started very small and during Covid-19 when we weren’t allowed to travel far, that’s when it really kicked off,” said Joan Mullane, one of its members.

Through a WhatsApp group, two administrators advise of the tide times, and this guides the hours those who want to swim should go and take a dip.

“It began with just five or six of us, and now there’s 86. Around 35 of these people swim all year around.

“It’s all to do with safety in numbers. There’s not always a lifeguard there,” Joan explained.

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She added that as well as the safety aspect, it has led to great camaraderie among those who swim in the area on a regular basis.

“It definitely has improved all our swimming. When you are swimming with a group, we’d push each other that little bit more. If you are there on your own, you’d come out after 10 minutes. Whereas if you’re there in a group, you get stronger, and there’s a bit of community spirit around it.

“We’d have a cup of tea after it too. It’s very normal, no egos there, just a really nice group,” Joan said.

People travel from all over Limerick for the swims – Joan hails from Newcastle West, while others come from Greenmount, near Patrickswell and Rathkeale.

Four members of the group including Joan were at the monthly meeting of the Adare-Rathkeale district where they appealed for council support to build a shelter by the river.

Joan said: “We have no facilities there for changing. We don’t want anything major, we want to keep the community of Kilteery the way it is. But during the winter, it’d be great to have somewhere to change some days.

“There have been days we’ve been down there and its -2. It’s grand when you’re in the water, but it’s when you get out and its windy, rainy and cold.”

No two days of swimming off the pier are the same, she said when asked what makes the experience so special.

“It’s just a really beautiful spot on the Shannon Estuary. Every day you go down, no matter what time it is, you’re going to see something completely different.”

New members of the group are always welcome, and it’s always advised against swimming alone.

If you see the group enjoying the water, go up and say hello and ask about signing up!