In pictures: Swilly Seals celebrate 40 Years at the heart of Letterkenny swimming

The Swilly Seals Amateur Swimming Club is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. 

This marks four decades of community sport, competitive achievement, and generations of families growing up.

“This year we celebrate our 40th anniversary, and as Chairperson, I’m proud to carry on the great legacy of community and volunteer spirit, involvement and inclusion of the club,” Ashling Murphy said. “Also, as a parent, watching my son and daughter grow and develop as athletes and young people within this club, alongside so many talented young swimmers, reminds me of what a special community swimming and our club is. 

“This 40th Anniversary Gala is a tribute to everyone who has contributed to Swilly Seals ASC’s success and journey, past and present.”

Founded in 1985, the club began in the old Letterkenny Leisure Centre on the High Road before moving to its current home at Aura Leisure Centre. 

Over the years, the club has coached hundreds, if not thousands, of young people from Letterkenny and surrounding areas, building a strong volunteer coaching team and active committee along the way. Many of today’s coaches once swam for the club themselves, and many swimmers from the 1980s and 1990s now have children proudly wearing the Seals cap.

Head coach Conor McGuigan says “Swilly Seals is about far more than competition. It’s a place where young people build lifelong friendships, stay active, and discover the joy of swimming together. Seeing former swimmers now bringing their own children through the club is a testament to that. It is incredibly special and shows just how strong our swimming community is here in Donegal.”

To mark the milestone Swilly Seals will host a 40th Anniversary Christmas Gala at Aura Leisure Centre on the evening of Saturday, 13 December. 

The gala is designed to provide an opportunity to celebrate together by what they do best – swimming and friendship – it is an opportunity to reunite former swimmers, coaches and families. 

Swilly Seals would like to invite everyone – past and present swimmers, coaches, and committee members to join us.