Make a splash and a difference at one of these Charity Christmas Day swims around Ireland this year …
FORTY FOOT, CO DUBLIN
Christmas Day: A swim at the Forty Foot is a tradition for many families – including the Garvey sisters making it world famous thanks to their regular dips in Sharon Horgan’s hit show, Bad Sisters – and what a great atmosphere and morning out it is. Definitely one to whet the appetite for dinner and maybe a little sip of whiskey afterwards to warm up again! Although it’s not tied to any charity specifically, if you’re dipping your toes come the morning of December 25 consider donating to one of these causes to make your swim worth even more …
TRAUGHT BEACH, KINVARA, CO GALWAY
Breast Cancer Ireland’s Dip-cember challenge encourages participants to go for a dip twelve times over the Christmas period, while raising much needed funds for life-saving research. Take your family and friends to get everyone on board for this important cause. If you can’t commit to twelve dips throughout the month, sign up for a Christmas Day swim at 1pm at Traught Beach, Kinvara. The day will reward swimmers, paddlers and onlookers with festive hot chocolate and mulled wine – and don’t forget your keep cups! Find out more here.
BLACKROCK PIER, SALTHILL, CO GALWAY
#BravetheCOLD, so others don’t have to is their motto, which we can stand by. By taking part in this long-standing community event, you’ll bring hope where it is most needed this Christmas and throughout the year. Register as an individual, family, workplace or school team for €20 on Christmas morning from 9am-1pm, or from 20-26 December wherever you are. Funds support COPE Galway’s homeless, domestic abuse and senior support services. Donate here.
WARREN BEACH, ROSSCARBERY, CO CORK
Christmas Day: The plan for the Rosscarbery swim is to meet at Warren Beach at 11am sharp. This year’s chosen charities are Rosscarvery Social Services and West Cork Cancer Connect. Organisers say they listened to feedback and the water heating will be turned on from 11am to 11.10am! Donate on the day. Find out more here.
DUNMANWAY, INCHYDONEY BEACH, CO CORK
Christmas Day: In aid of Dunmanway Cancer Unit at CUH, the annual swim at Inchydoney beach also takes place at 11am this year, with money raised to help buy new equipment and support patient comfort. The Day Unit means so much to the people of the Dunmanway and the wider community, which requires new cardiac monitors and ECG machines, as well as recliner chairs for patients undergoing chemotherapy. Last year was the biggest turn-out to date and this year it won a Cork County Council Mayor’s Community Award. Find out more here.
CLONAKILTY, INCHYDONEY BEACH, CO CORK
Christmas Day: Another swim at 11am sharp on Inchydoney Beach, in aid of Fr John Kingston’s mission in Mozambique. Fr Kingston uses these funds to educate young people. Sponsorhsip cards are available from O’Donovans Hotel, Clonakilty. Each donation will make a big difference, so make a splash and donate! Donate here.
BROADSTRAND, COURTMACSHERRY, CO CORK
Christmas Day: Meeting at noon at Broadstrand. The organising committee said: “It’s 49 years since a small group of locals started this annual tradition. A few have never missed the occasion each year, whatever the weather”. Impressive! All proceeds raised go to COPE Clonakilty which supports over 2,800 children and adults with intellectual disabilities in Ireland, and the Children’s Cystic Fibrosis unit at CUH. If you can’t participate on the day, take a dip at any time throughout December and donate online or on the morning. Donate here.
LAHINCH BEACH, CO CLARE
Christmas Day: This swim was also started by two locals, this time in December 1989, to raise money for local charities in Clare. This year, funds will go to Cancer Care West and the West Coast Surf Club’s inclusion programme. There is always a great turn-out of swimmers and supporters, so if you live in the vicinity or would like to make the journey it’s easy to join or donate on the day or online here.
LADIES BEACH, BALLYNBUNION, CO KERRY
Christmas Day: In aid of Ballybunion Sea & Cliff Rescue, sprint from the boathouse to the water at 12.30pm sharp! Expect festive music, tea, coffee, sweets and … if you’re not driving … something stronger! There will be prizes for the youngest and oldest swimmers, as well as the biggest fundraiser. Find out more here.
BANNA STRAND, CO KERRY at 12.30pm
Christmas Day: The 41st annual Xmas Swim in aid of Kerry’s oldest Independent Lifeboat Station, Banna Rescue, will take place at 12:30pm. Be sure to join the community with live music, refreshments and festive cheer at the boathouse after the swim. All proceeds go to funding the emergency service and donations can be made on the day or online. Donate here.
FENIT BEACH, CO KERRY
Christmas Day: Support the local lifeboat crew at Fenit Beach at 12pm, in aid of Fenit RNLI. There will be music and refreshments on the day to encourage the swimmers and heat up the onlookers. Find out more here.
BALLINASKELLIGS, CO KERRY
Christmas Day: To raise money for Ballinaskelligs Inshore Rescue and The Alzeimhers Society (Kerry branch), swimmers will also meet at 12pm and get sea-dipping. Donate here.
MORE CHRISTMAS DAY CHARITY SWIMS
Skate Park Tramore, Co Waterford at 9.45am: A swim in honour of Kinto, in aid of Waterford Marine SAR. Donate here.
Ardmore Beach, Co Waterford at 12.15pm: All funds raised go towards the local lifeboat station in Youghal. Registration opens at 11.15am on Christmas morning. Find out more here.
Youghal Quay, Lough Derg, Co Tipperary at 11am: The funds raised will be split between the Nenagh Unit of the Order of Malta; Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit at Limerick University Maternity Hospital (NICU) and The A-Team – Youth Club for Autistic Community. Contact Tony O’ Flaherty at 087 2998634 to organise a sponsorship card.
Templemore Town Park Lake, Co Tipperary at 12.25pm: In aid of North Tipperary Hospice and Templemore Community Services. Contact Robbie Ingram to organise a sponsorship card. Find out more here.
White Bay beach, Glanagow, Co Cork at 12pm: In aid of Cork Simon Community, contact margaret.osullivan@corksimon.ie for sponsorhip cards. Find out more here.
Schull Pier, Co Cork at 12pm: In aid of Cope Foundation, also known as Horizons which is empowering people to take the rightful place in their communities. To meet peoples needs and support them in an individualised way. Register here.
Two Mile Gate, Ballina Killaloe, Co Clare at 12.30pm: Funds raised will go to the Community First Responders and Killaloe Tidy Towns. Killaloe Ballina Family Resource Centre is a drop-off point, contact 0871817595 to organise a sponsorship card. Find out more here.