Dry robes at the ready! Here are six of the best spots around ireland to take the plunge on Christmas Day…
Featured Image; Unsplash.com
Come Christmas morning, while some of us may prefer to stay in the safety of our pyjamas and barricade ourselves in our sitting rooms, there are also those who crave the Christmas sea plunge. This craze has become increasingly popular in recent years and there is a growing sense of camaraderie and community at these swims. It is a very fun (if freezing!) social way to start the day before all the festivities begin. Here is where to brave the waters in Dublin, Wicklow, Wexford and Galway …
Pic from Unsplash.com
1. FORTY FOOT, SANDYCOVE, CO DUBLIN
If you are from Dublin, you will know that the swim at the Forty Foot on Christmas Day is an all-day affair. Brave souls come to leap into the winter water at all hours of the day, forming a queue of Santa hats. If you are not keen on jumping in however, there is the option to walk in using the rail and steps to the right of the swim spot. There is a palpable Christmas community feeling at the Forty Foot on the day and so if you are staying in Dublin, we would recommend this spot.
2. CLONTARF, CO DUBLIN
Clontarf Yacht and Boat Club organise an annual swim on Christmas day to raise money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. At 1pm participants will gather and run into the water together via the slipway. Club volunteers will be on hand to ensure that everyone gets in and out of the water safely. After the swim the worthy swimmers can enjoy some tea, coffee and hot whiskey provided by the club. There is sure to be a wonderful atmosphere at the Clontarf swim and the pain of the cold will be made all the better because it is for a great cause.
Pic from www.copegalway.ie
3. GALWAY BAY, CO GALWAY
The Christmas Day swim at Galway Bay celebrates its 33rd year in 2022. The Christmas Day swim is in aid of COPE, a charity in Galway which works to provide targeted services, including a homeless service, domestic abuse services and senior support services. This year the swim is a hybrid event, taking place from December 20-26, so if Christmas Day is not looking like your big swim day you can opt for before or after. Swimmers will gather at Blackrock Beach in Salthill between 10am and 1pm and brave the Atlantic together. Registration for the swim costs €20, you can do so online at www.copegalway.ie.
4. CARLINGFORD, CO LOUTH
If a freezing dip in the sea isn’t enough and you’re looking for something a little more challenging, the annual Christmas Eve Pier2Pier swim is organised by the Carlingford Sailing Club. At 9.30am on December 24 these hardy swimmers will gather and will enter the cold depths on King John’s Pier and swim across to the south pier and back, an approximate distance of 300 metres! This swim is not for the faint hearted. It is up to you whether you would like to make use of a wetsuit, but they are highly recommended. All money raised at the pier to pier swim will go to Carlingford Day Centre.
5. ROSSLARE, CO WEXFORD
At 12pm on Christmas Day join the band of swimmers convening on Rosslare strand. The Rosslare dip is a hugely popular event and one of the biggest Christmas swims in Ireland. Hundreds of people will gather and stampede into the sea in one joyous posse. There is a real community spirit to be felt at Rosslare with people who’ve travelled from all over the world to be home for Christmas. This year the swim will be in aid of St Mary’s Day Care Centre in Wexford.
Pic from www.greystonesguide.ie
6. GREYSTONES, CO WICKLOW
At about 12pm the town of Greystones comes out to cheer on the swimmers on the south beach. No matter the weather these hardy swimmers will emerge from their homes and submerge themselves into the waves. Ladies Cove is also an unofficial Christmas Day swim spot by means of The Happy Pear brothers Steve and Dave who have acquired a following for their sunrise dip.
