The Long Point is a Blue Flag swimming beach and grassy lakeside park on Lough Rea, with clear water, summer lifeguards, free parking and family-friendly shallow bathing just minutes from Loughrea town.
Clear limestone lake water with a shallow sandy section ideal for children and a deeper area with swimming platforms and ladders. A jetty makes getting in easy. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer bathing season - swim between the red and yellow flags when they are on site.
A well-kept grassy area with picnic tables and benches right beside the lake. On-site changing rooms with a cold shower come in handy after a swim.
Walkways run along the eastern shore, including a looped sensory walk, with views across the water to the lake's small islands, believed to be ancient crannogs. The walk from Loughrea town centre along Lake Road takes about 30 minutes.
Fishing rights are held by the Loughrea Anglers Association, which stocks brown trout. Perch and pike are also present in the lake, and competitions are held most Sundays through the fishing season.
Kayaks and canoes are launched year-round from the slipway, dinghy sailing has taken place on the lake since the 1960s, and windsurfers use the water too. The Long Point hosts an annual triathlon swim and a charity Christmas swim.
Lough Rea is a Natural Heritage Area and an important site for waterbirds, with winter visitors arriving from continental Europe - bring binoculars.
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