Swimming star Aindriú completes treble of titles
By Kevin O'Neill
Mount Temple based swimmer Aindriú Lynam recently created history in the water by clinching a third successive title at the prestigious Gaelforce Great River Swim (5.8km) at Lanesborough.
Hailing from a well-known local family with great swimming heritage, Aindriú first won the event in 2024 and has managed to follow up the achievement by adding two more titles to an ever-growing roll of honour in open water swimming.
Aindriú has just completed his second year at the University of Limerick, where he studies Engineering Management, alongside representing UL in open water and intervarsity events.
And his achievement of claiming the Connacht Open Prom Swim crown, in Salthill in 2025, also marked a wonderful milestone for the Lynam family. His father, Fergal, won the title back in 1987 – a year after fellow Athlone native Johnny Powell won it – thus making Fergal and Aindriú a unique father and son combination to claim the coveted trophy.
Not only was Aindriú the first male swimmer home at the event, but he also won the trophy for best non-suit swimmer, giving him a dual victory on the winners' podium.
A former Westmeath Minor Football Championship winner for Caulry GAA, where he played alongside current Westmeath star Tadhg Baker, Aindriú has a catalogue of achievements under his belt in open water swimming.
In the 2025/26 season, he won first-place in the male skins at the 3.9km version of the Great Lake Swim at Lough Derg. He finished third out of a vast field at the Galway Longest Day Swim, in river Corrib (4km), and his biggest achievement to date was winning third-place and a bronze medal at the Swim Ireland Open Water National Championships at Lough Lene at the Olympic 10km distance.
Along with a large collective of dedicated local open water swimmers, Aindriú swims regularly at Coosan Point in Athlone, whether it's winter or summer. He has excelled at open water swimming since stepping into the category having competed in the pool beforehand, where he also won many titles under the tutelage of coach Johnny Powell.
Speaking about his son's achievements, Fergal Lynam, who was once the first Connacht swimmer to represent Ireland at international level, said he is extremely proud of Aindriú's progress in open water swimming. Fergal said the popularity of open water swimming and its competitiveness makes Aindriú's achievements all the more outstanding.
Fergal's other two children, Eoin (19) and Saoirse (14) are keen swimmers too, with their mother Catherine also hugely proud of their achievements.
Aindriú is a former student at Moate Community School and is part of the UL swimming programme.