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sport · Saturday 5 September 2026 · 10:00am 
Swim 4 Oran - Charity Open Water Swim, Lough Neagh
At Lough Neagh Discovery Centre · Oxford Island, Lurgan, BT66 6NJ
At Lough Neagh Discovery Centre · Oxford Island, Lurgan, BT66 6NJ
Every swimmer who enters the water at Oxford Island for Swim 4 Orán carries a small piece of a family’s grief and a lot of heart. The event was created in memory of Orán Creaney, a six-year-old from Co. Armagh who was born with a single ventricle heart condition and passed away in October 2014. His grandfather, Francie McAlinden, became one of the most recognised open water swimmers in Northern Ireland partly through fundraising in Orán’s name. The annual swim he inspired has grown into one of the most welcoming charity events on the Lough Neagh calendar - a proper day out that suits complete beginners and experienced open water swimmers equally.
Lurgan Masters and Open Water Swimming Club lay on a full programme of race distances so that nobody is left out. Distances run from a 150m splash with Ripples Special Olympics Swim Club up through 300m, 750m, 1.5km and 3km options. Children aged 11 and under must be accompanied by an adult in the water, and swimmers aged 14 and under are required to wear wetsuits. Adults can enter in wetsuit or skins categories. Registration is handled online through WebScorer. Around the water, there are family activities on the day - archery, fishing, inflatables, arts and crafts and a barbecue - which makes this more than a race morning. All entry fees go to the Children’s Heartbeat Trust, which has been supporting families of children with heart disease in Northern Ireland since 1984, providing practical, emotional and financial help at one of the hardest times a parent can face.
Oxford Island sits on the southern shore of Lough Neagh, signposted clearly from Junction 10 of the M1 motorway. From Belfast, it is roughly 30 minutes by road; from Dublin, allow around 90 minutes via the M1. There is ample car parking at the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, which also has toilets and visitor facilities. Public transport to Oxford Island is limited, so driving or arranging a lift is the practical option.
Lurgan town centre is five minutes from Oxford Island and has good cafes and takeaways for post-swim recovery. The town has a strong sporting and community tradition in this part of Co. Armagh, and the lough itself is worth a slow walk along the boardwalk even if you are just a spectator on the day. There is more to see in Lurgan and across Co. Armagh.
Heading to Lough Neagh Discovery Centre in Lurgan? Armagh has plenty more to see. Read the Lurgan area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.