Clubs, Education, Swim Ireland

Connacht Swim Parent Forum (January 2026)

The Connacht Swim Parent Forum offers an excellent opportunity for swim parents to stay informed and connected.

January’s session focuses on Sports Nutrition, led by Regional Programme practitioner Ronan Costelloe. We’ll share practical tips to help parents support their swimmer’s growth and performance, followed by an interactive Q&A session – your chance to ask questions and provide feedback.

Registration closes at 5pm the day before the event and a Zoom link will be emailed to those registered prior to the meeting.

Thursday 15 January at 8pm – Register Here
Friday 16 January at 1:05pm – Register Here

Feel free to submit any questions in advance to helengunning@swimireland.ie

Clubs, Education, Swim Ireland

Connacht Swim Parent Forum (December 2025)

The Connacht Swim Parent Forum is a great opportunity for swim parents to stay informed. 

This month, we will share details about the 2026-2027 Regional Programme and selection process for athletes born in 2013 and 2014.

We’ll also highlight upcoming events, provide practical guidance to help parents support their swimmer’s development in the sport, and finish with a Q&A session – giving parents the opportunity to ask questions and share feedback.

To make the forum as accessible as possible, we’re offering two sessions. Please note, advance registration is required and will close at 5pm on the day prior to the meeting. 

Wednesday 17 December at 8pm – Register Here
Thursday 18 December at 1:05pm – Register Here

The Zoom link will be distributed ahead of each session.

Feel free to submit any questions in advance to helengunning@swimireland.ie

Coach Education, Event

Connacht Coaching Conference 2026

Powerful Partnerships, Infinite Possibilities

Sunday 11 January 2026
Coral Leisure, Longford Pool, 0800 to 1000
Longford Golf Club, 1100 to 1500

Join us for an inspiring day of learning and networking with some of Ireland’s leading coaches.

Brian Sweeney – Head Coach, Templeogue Swim Club
Treble Swim Ireland Performance Coach of the Year and coach to Olympian Ellen Walshe

Jonathan Preston – Assistant Head Coach, National Centre Dublin
Swim Ireland Performance Youth Coach of the Year 2022 and Club of the Year 2023

✅ Athlete Development Strategies
✅ Maximising Resources and Building Strong Club Cultures
✅ Making the Most of Coach Development and Mentorship
✅ Advanced Butterfly and Training Tactics

Cost: €40
5 CPD Points are available for attending this conference.
Includes refreshments and hot lunch.

BOOK HERE

Meet Invitations, Schools Competitions

2026 Connacht Minor Schools Championships

The 2026 Connacht Minor Schools Championships take place at Leisureland, Galway on Sunday 1 February 2026 and is open to all National Schools in the Connacht region.

FULL MEET INFORMATION: DOWNLOAD HERE

The new system for submitting entries is detailed in the meet information. Please read carefully to ensure correct submission.

Need Help? If you experience any issues with entries, please contact Christine at connachtsecretary@swimireland.ie

https://swimconnacht.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/fastwave-entry-guide-ver-1-.docx

Entries close Monday 12 January 2026

2026 Irish Minor School Championships

This Connacht Minor School Championships is a qualifying meet for the 2026 Irish Minor Schools Championships, which takes place at the NAC on Sunday 29 March 2026.

All information can be found here:

Irish Minor Schools Championships
Clubs, Education, Swim Ireland

Connacht Swim Parent Forum (November 2025)

The Connacht Swim Parent Forum is a great opportunity for swim parents to stay informed. 

The sessions cover upcoming events and practical guidance to help parents support their swimmer’s journey in the sport. The forum concludes with a Q&A to give parents a chance to ask questions and share feedback.

Key Topic: Event Selections for Competitions

To make the forum as accessible as possible, we’re offering two session options. Please note, advance registration is required and will close at 5pm on the day prior to the meeting. 

Wednesday 19 November at 8pm – Register Here
Thursday 20 November at 1:05pm – Register Here

The Zoom link will be distributed ahead of each session.

Feel free to submit any questions in advance to helengunning@swimireland.ie

Meet Invitations, Schools Competitions

Connacht Senior Schools Championships

The Connacht Senior Schools Championships take place at Coral Leisure, Longford on Sunday 9 November 2025.

DOWNLOAD: MEET INFORMATION

DOWNLOAD: ENTRY LIST
DOWNLOAD: PSYCH SHEET
DOWNLOAD: OFFICIALS ROTA
DOWNLOAD: WARM UP ROTA

The new system for submitting entries is detailed in the meet information. Please read carefully to ensure correct submission.

Need Help? If you experience any issues with entries, please contact Christine at connachtsecretary@swimireland.ie

Entries close 5pm on Monday 3 November 2025


Coach Education

Cluster Clinic for Coaches: Butterfly Progressions for Age Group Coaches


Explore Butterfly technique and the drills that can be used to support its development.

We’re pleased to offer two 90-minute clinics this November, specifically designed for age-group coaches working with athletes aged 12 and under. These sessions will focus on butterfly drills and progressions to help build a strong technical foundation.

On registering, coaches receive an outline detailing current approaches to butterfly technique, along with recommended drills to support skill development. Coaches are encouraged to review this material in advance, as the clinic will begin with a group discussion based on the content.

Following the discussion, the session will move poolside to observe the practical application of the drills.

One CPD point will be credited to attendees Swim Ireland profile on completion of the clinic.

Registration Links

These clinics are open to all club coaches. Registration will close 48 hours before each clinic begins. Coaches from the host club may attend free of charge but must still register using the links below. 

Roscommon: Saturday 8  November, 0630-0800, CLICK HERE
led by head coach Deirdre Lavin, Comans Swimming Club

Claremorris: Friday 14  November, 1730 to 1900, CLICK HERE
led by Helen Gunning, Regional Pathway Development Coach

Galway: Sunday 30  November, 1830 to 2000, CLICK HERE
led by Helen Gunning, Regional Pathway Development Coach