Mayor McHugh’s swim challenge to take place in Creggan Country Park this weekend
12 May 2026
Swimmers taking part in Mayor of Derry and Strabane Councillor Ruairí McHugh’s Foyle Challenge have had the opportunity to experience open water swimming in Creggan Country Park ahead of the main event this weekend.
The swim to raise funds and awareness for the Mayor’s chosen charities has been moved to the Creggan venue this weekend after the ongoing works at Craigavon bridge and continued tide monitoring deemed the River Foyle no longer safe to host it.
Mayor McHugh is teaming up with Derry Ultra-Endurance Athlete and Mental Health and Wellbeing Campaigner Danny Quigley to host the swim and the pair were joined by 20 swimmers on Saturday for a practise event to allow participants to swim in the conditions they will experience on the day.
“Thanks to the team at Creggan Country Park and Council Swimming Instructor Shauna Mullan for hosting this practise session which will stand to us when we take to the water this weekend,” said Mayor McHugh.
“I’ve been practising ahead of the event with regular sessions in Council’s swimming pools but it was important to replicate the conditions we will experience on the day which will give us all confidence that we can complete our full swim this Saturday.
“I have been overwhelmed that so many swimmers have registered for the event which will raise significant funds for my charities PIPS Suicide Prevention Ireland and the Castlederg Patient Comfort and Terminally Ill Fund.
“There’s a great sense of anticipation and excitement among the swimmers ahead of it, while it rightly recognises and remembers the pain that many families have experienced in the water, it equally celebrates the positive health and wellbeing benefits of completing a physical challenge and aims to give people hope that support is out there for anyone experiencing distress.”
Over 150 swimmers are registered to take part and they will be split into three waves on Saturday: Wave One will be for experienced open water swimmers who will swim 3km, Wave Two is for intermediate open water swimmers who will also swim 3km and Wave Three will be for competent open water swimmers who will swim 1km.
Wave One will enter the water in Creggan at 10.30am, Wave Two at 11.45am and Wave Three at 12.45pm.
For further information on the Mayor’s Charities and to donate visit derrystrabane.com/mayor.