Ireland’s leading Para swimmers return to competition this week as the Irish Open Swimming Championships get underway at the Bangor Aurora Aquatics & Leisure Complex in Bangor, Northern Ireland.
Taking place from 8–12 April, the five-day meet is the flagship event on the domestic calendar, bringing together Ireland’s top swimmers to compete for national titles and international qualification opportunities, while also serving as a key step in preparations for the European Para Swimming Championships in Kocaeli, Türkiye this September.
Four Paris Paralympians Barry McClements, Dearbhaile Brady, Deaten Registe and silver and bronze medallist Róisín Ní Riain have already achieved the qualification standard for the European Para Swimming Championships in Kocaeli, Türkiye this September, as has Luke Brennan.
McClements, Brady, Registe and Brennan will all feature across the week, using the Championships as a chance to refine race execution, test combinations of events and continue building form against domestic competition.
While qualification times for the European Championships have already been achieved by several athletes, the Irish Open remains a critical racing environment. With multiple swim opportunities across the programme, it allows athletes and coaches to assess performance under pressure and make key adjustments ahead of the international calendar.
The meet also provides valuable race exposure for developing Para swimmers within the national system, offering a platform to compete alongside established Paralympians and gain experience in a high-performance setting.
Irish Open Championships Event Guide
