The Irish Sports Monitor 2025, launched on Wednesday by Sport Ireland, shows that swimming remains a central part of physical activity in Ireland, with approximately 8% of adults (around 350,000 people) taking part regularly.

It continues to rank among the most popular sports and activities, standing as the second most participated sport after personal exercise, among the general population, women, and adults with a disability.

The report highlights swimming’s wide appeal across all age groups and life stages, with a strong contribution to health, wellbeing and active lifestyles. Its accessibility also means it is frequently adopted as a new activity by adults, pointing to continued demand.

Overall, the findings emphasise the critical role of accessible aquatic facilities in driving participation and supporting more people to be active on a regular basis.

We were pleased to have Swim Ireland Interim CEO Mary McMorrow join a panel discussion on the day to share her insights on the findings.

Read the full report here – Sport Ireland Irish Sports Monitor Report Summary 2025