Swimmers brave first ever Caragh Lake Challenge

The swim, which it is hoped to make an annual event, took place on Tuesday August 18 and saw 25 swimmers took on the challenge swimming roughly eight kilometres across the lake.

They were backed up by a support RIB and seven kayakers also volunteered to help out and keep the hardy swimmers safe as they made the gruelling trip.

The swim got underway near Blackstones Bridge and saw swimmers head west across the lake to a finish line close to the Ard Na Sidhe hotel which they reached two to three hours later.

First home, in an impressive two hours and twenty minutes was Evan O'Connor and he was quickly followed ashore by Rosie Foley in second and Daniel Morrissey in third place. However it is important to point out that the event wasn't a race and all 25 swimmers received medals to mark their achievement.

Though the event was free to enter and was not organised for charity all swimmers were asked to make a donation and, once expenses were covered €160 was raised and that money will be donated to the inshore rescue services in Derrynane and Killarney.

Jo Arbon, one of the team who helped organise and run the event said the swim had been a tremendous success.

"It was an amazing swim, with the best group of friends ever. Huge thanks to everyone involved who made it such a wonderful success," she said.