SWIMMING WATERCOLOURS IN COUNTY MAYO
From golden lough swims and yellow flat periwinkles to pale turquoise seas and grey skies, County Mayo’s swims are drawn from a painter ’s palette. Susanne Masters explored the region’s sea and freshwater swimming spots
EXPLORING COUNTY MAYO
Last year, swimming on the northern edge of Connemara, my attention was caught by distant peaks. Following up on that distant view I came to find out what the landscape was like. But would it live up to the tantalising glimpse or be disappointing? My partner Myles was up for a venture of exploration with no guarantees. So, over five days we roamed the southern section of County Mayo, stopping for fresh and salty swims. Finding an abundance of swimming spots the main restriction was our time.
GOLDEN WATER
In a luxury hotel in Lhasa Tibet, there is a swimming pool lined with gold tiles. Referred to as a gold energy pool, it’s supposed to be rejuvenating. Lough Carra offers a natural version of this, perhaps more wonderful for the lack of artifice. In October, standing in ankle deep water at the edge of the lough it was golden. Sunshine made it bright, but even when a cloud slipped past the sun the water held its glow.