Swim Ireland’s Irish Open Swimming Championships started on Saturday (April 1) at the Sport Ireland National Aquatic Centre in Dublin.

The five-day event saw almost 500 swimmers from 70 clubs compete for national titles in 34 individual events and for places on seven Irish National Teams, including a home European Under-23 Championships in August.

Four swimmers from the local Enniskillen Lakelanders Swim Club attended the prestigious meet, keen to compete with the best in the country.

Ellie Dunlop (14), swimming in the Irish Open Championships for the first time, reached finals in both 50m and 100m Breaststroke events, just missing out on a place in the 200m Breaststroke final.

Ellie was delighted with her PBs over the five-day meet and has now secured her time for the Swim Ireland Regional Squad with her 100m Breaststroke performance.

Kate McDade (14) continues to show her progress at her first Irish Open Championship.

A massive achievement in itself to qualify for this competition, Kate further impressed with PBs in both her events – the 100m and 50m Breaststroke.

Kate soared up the rankings by 30 and 12 places respectively, narrowly missing out on finals in both events.

A huge step up for the young Lakelander whose commitment and drive in training is paying off.

Older sister Anna McDade (16), returned to the Irish Open for the second consecutive year, competed in 50m, 100m and 200m Breaststroke events.

Anna performed to her PBs and was delighted to qualify for finals in all three events, where she lined up with the best in Ireland and beyond, including Olympians.

A fantastic achievement in a competition at this level. Fantastic swimming from the McDade sisters!

Lakelanders’ Head Coach, Ben Wiffen, praised the swimmers’ performances at this meet and was delighted to see Ellie and Kate edging closer to their Irish and Ulster Squad times respectively, whilst Anna made finals for all her events.

All the girls are doing their club proud, showing the younger swimmers a shining example of what can be achieved from consistent hard work in training.

Also swimming under the Lakelanders, Cora Rooney (18) was on top form, competing in the 100m and 200m Backstroke, 50m and 100m Freestyle and 50m Butterfly events.

Cora progressed to finals in four events and impressively improved her entry time with new PBs in four events. The highlights of the meet included taking the bronze medal in the 50m Butterfly ‘A’ final, and achieving the consideration times for the 2023/24 National Squad.

Gala Secretary Michelle Reihill praised all the competitors, who have all shown great maturity and have gained valuable race experience which will be put to good use at the upcoming Ulster Long Course event in Bangor at the end of April.