Jim O’Connor ‘Castle to Castle’ swim takes place this Saturday

The Jim O'Connor Memorial Castle to Castle Swim is set to take place this Saturday, August 23.

Now in its third year, the 13.5 km Lough Ree swim continues to honour the memory of Athlone's Jim O'Connor, and raises funds for Pieta, the suicide and self-harm prevention charity.

Jim, who passed away in 2018, swam the length of Lough Ree without a wetsuit in 2012, completing an incredible 34km distance in just over 13 hours. Jim was passionate about open water swimming and supporting his community, and this event continues his legacy.

Since its launch in 2023, the swim has raised over €116,000, helping Pieta continue to provide free, life-saving support to those impacted by suicide and self-harm.

Participants swim from Rindoon Castle in Roscommon to Athlone Castle in Westmeath, following a scenic and historic route that has become popular with open-water swimmers from Ireland and beyond.

This year’s swim is set to feature a total of 28 solo swimmers, as well as 20 relay teams, consisting of 2-4 swimmers apiece, involving over 100 swimmers in total.

Swimmers from Dublin, Galway, Limerick, Donegal, and Armagh will all make the journey to Athlone for the event.

In a particularly special moment, Jim's son Jack and his daughter Niamh will take part in this year's swim for the first time ever, in a relay team with their friends Dave Rowe and Raphaela Joos.

His children recall Jim O'Connor's adventurous spirit and love for a challenge. In 2012, Jim made history by swimming the full 34 km length of Lough Ree without a wetsuit.

"Dad loved swimming," said Jack. "He wanted to be the first one to swim Lough Ree in skins (without a wetsuit)."

"He was very competitive, especially with himself,” Niamh added. “He always needed a challenge, and when Lough Ree was suggested, he jumped at the idea.”

The 'Castle to Castle' fundraising page has amassed over €48,420 of the €60,000 goal as of Monday, August 18.

"The swimmers are pushing hard, and we are confident and hopeful that we'll reach our goal," said Charlie Naughten, organiser of the Caste to Castle Swim and Swim School Coordinator at the Athlone Regional Sports Centre.