Changing facilities for swimmers at Lough Ramor
A dedicated changing shelter for swimmers at Lough Ramor is to be installed after the Ramor Swimming Group secured the maximum €25,000 available under the Healthy Ireland Outdoor Swimming Infrastructure Fund.
Mairead Smyth, who led the application on behalf of the group, said the facility is badly needed.
"After seeing the Healthy Ireland Outdoor Swimming Infrastructure Fund, I approached Cavan County Council, specifically John O'Donoghue. We met at the proposed site at Lough Ramor on April 17 and applied for the maximum grant of €25,000." She thanked the Council for their assistance.
The application was supported by Cavan Sports Partnership, Virginia Secondary School, Virginia Triathlon Club and local councillor TP O'Reilly.
Founded in 2023 by Roisin McDaid and Orla O'Connor, the Ramor Swimming Group has grown from a handful of swimmers into a community of 93 members. The group swims twice a week, with up to 20 people regularly gathering at the lakeshore, while many members swim year-round.
Founded in 2023 by Roisin McDaid and Orla O’Connor, Ramor Swimming Group has grown from a handful of swimmers into a community of 93 members. The group swims twice a week, with up to 20 people regularly gathering at the lakeshore, while many members swim year-round.
“We have Channel swimmers, ice swimmers, sunrise swimmers, triathletes and dippers - everyone is equal in the water,” said Roisin. Many of them look forward to the yearly triathlon event coming up August 2 hosted by the local triathlon club.
Regular swimmer Jim McDevitt welcomed the new facility. “It’s much needed. Hopefully everyone will respect the new amenity.”
At the moment, swimmers change behind their cars or duck under trees. The changing shelter will follow the same design as facilities already installed at three other Cavan swimming locations at Annagh Lake, Brackley and Cootehill.
Mairead, who is also a clinical neuropsychologist, said open water swimming offers significant mental health benefits. “Open water swimming is the ultimate escape. It provides a mental reset, reduces stress, lifts mood and builds resilience. It forges a sense of belonging and community.”
This proves to be particularly true on sunny days when more than 1,000 people visit the lakeside in Virginia, which features an extensive green area, playground and, most recently, a new stretch of sandy beach created by local volunteers. Children build sandcastles while teenagers gather on the benches, play football or swim out to the pontoon.
The only thing missing now is public toilets.
“I raised the need for public toilets with the council at our initial meeting in April but was told this was not possible at this time,” says Mairead.
Currently, people either walk half a kilometre into town or, unfortunately, use the adjacent Deerpark forest.
TP O’Reilly is aware of the situation: “Especially with the ongoing upgrade of the wastewater treatment plant, it is hard to imagine it wouldn’t be possible.”
He confirmed to the Celt that, as the new Cathaoirleach of the Ballyjamesduff Municipal District, he would continue to push for adequate facilities: “I’ll not take ‘no’ for an answer just yet.”
The funding has also been welcomed by Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith who said the enhanced facilities will enable more people to enjoy the “physical and mental health benefits of swimming”.
He added: “Swimming is a great activity for people of all ages and abilities and it helps build friendships and reduce isolation as well as the undeniable health benefits.”