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sport · Sunday 19 July 2026 · 7:30am 
Carlow Triathlon Club Open Water Swim Training
At River Barrow, Carlow · River Barrow, Carlow Town, Co. Carlow
At River Barrow, Carlow · River Barrow, Carlow Town, Co. Carlow
Every Sunday morning through the summer, a small but committed group gathers at the River Barrow in Carlow Town before most people have had breakfast. Carlow Triathlon Club runs these weekly open water swim sessions as part of its summer training calendar, and they are open to club members and visiting triathletes alike. If you are training for a triathlon this season and want to get comfortable swimming in moving water rather than a pool lane, this is exactly the kind of session worth building your Sunday around.
The River Barrow through Carlow Town is wide and relatively flat - conditions that suit open water swim practice well. The club organises proper safety cover, with a kayak on the water during sessions so swimmers are never left to fend for themselves. The format is practical rather than social: you come ready to swim, get in the water, work on your technique and race-pace effort, and head off. Wetsuits are strongly recommended regardless of the weather - Irish river water in July is cold enough to make a difference to performance and comfort. The sessions are aimed at competent swimmers; if you are a complete beginner, contact the club first before showing up. Session schedules and any cancellations go out via the club’s Facebook page, and it is worth checking before you travel as sessions are dependent on water levels and weather.
Carlow Town sits at the junction of the N80 and N9 - roughly an hour south of Dublin along the M9 motorway, and well signed once you reach the county. The Barrow Track access point in town is on the northern side of the town centre, along the river frontage. Parking is available on the Barrow Track itself or in Carlow Town centre, a short walk away. Bus Eireann serves Carlow from Dublin Busaras and from Waterford; the town centre is walkable to the river from the bus station on Burrin Street.
Carlow Town is a compact place with a good few hours of things to see - the ruins of Carlow Castle on the river bank, the County Museum on College Street, and a decent selection of cafes for a post-swim breakfast. There is more to see in Carlow and across Co. Carlow.
Heading to River Barrow, Carlow in Carlow? Carlow has plenty more to see. Read the Carlow area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.