20-PERSON POLL:Swimming is our favourite form of exercise, according to a new report by the ESRI, Swim Ireland and the Irish Sports Council. Seven per cent of adults – 230,000 people – swim regularly. UNA MULLALLYasks 20 of them to name the best place they've taken a dip.
Áine Tyrell Dublin
“Sicily. An island off it called Panarea. The water was crystal clear, and there’s barely any salt in it. It was like a swimming pool.”
Billy Glynn Limerick
“The Hamptons. It’s nice to swim when it’s hot. I swim in Olympic pools, but swimming on holidays is nicer.”
Dave Dunne Dalkey, Co Dublin
“I’d have to say Menorca. There are loads of rock pools good for snorkelling, the water is clean, it’s safe for the kids, and there are tropical fish in the pools. It has everything.”
Kitty Hackel Kilkenny
“I took a swim in Morocco, up in the mountains outside Marrakesh, underneath a waterfall. It was amazing.”
Alexie Ursache Romania
“Tenerife was heaven. It’s so much fun, warm, good food, sunny – all of it is great.”
Neil Sweeney Blanchardstown, Dublin
“I spend a lot of time in Donegal, so probably Cloughglass. It reminds me of childhood summers, jumping off the high rocks into the Atlantic.”
Stephen O’Leary Cork
“I’d say off a rocky beach in Spain – Vigo. It was a really warm day, but the water was ice cold, so that was a good contrast.”
Joanne McKinney Donegal
“Culdaff, in Co Donegal (pictured). The big waves are good for surfing and bodyboarding. It’s great.”
Gráinne McKnight Wicklow
“The National Aquatic Centre. I used to swim competitively, so any pool that’s good for competitions is good for me.”
Brian Murray Kerry
“I’d say Banna Strand, outside Tralee. The beach is about six kilometres long, it’s secure and there are quite good waves. I grew up there, so I guess it’s more than just a beach for me.”
Jeff Morgan Dublin
“Guinness’s private pool. It’s got a diving board, and it’s always empty, so you have the lanes to yourself.”
Darren McDonnell Dublin
“Lake Constance. It’s right in the Alps. We rented a boat, went into the middle of the lake and jumped in.”
Brian McIntyre North Circular Road, Dublin
“Croatia, just off the coast of Hvar. The water was so nice and cool, it was secluded and the weather was 21 or 22 degrees – perfect.”
Stephen Sheedy Sydney
“Byron Bay. Good conditions, very clean water. I used to do a lot of surfing, so there are good waves there as well.”
Patrick Mangan Dublin
“I was in Cracow and swam in Zakrzowek Lake. It used to be a mine. You could jump off rocks about 20 foot high.”
Maria Noman Germany
“The Mediterranean, Croatia by far. The water is cool, so it’s for people who can swim, not just showing off in the Seychelles. I used to be a semiprofessional swimmer: 18 years as a swimmer freestyle and butterfly and 10 years as a synchronised swimmer. You need to swim in cold water; otherwise you get nauseous.”
Natalie McGarry Tallaght, Dublin
“I used to go to the Westpark gym in Tallaght. It’s a lovely pool. I really like it.”
Seán O’Sullivan Dublin
“I’d say Tahiti. The water was so clean and the scenery was just idyllic.”
Frank O’Rourke Greystones
“Christmas Day in Greystones.”
Alex Sheridan Castleknock, Dublin
“Probably the National Aquatic Centre. Olympic-size pools are good for swimming lengths quickly, and that’s fun.”
