Dubliners brave ‘very cold’ Christmas sea swim
They were taking part in the annual Clontarf Yacht and Boat Club charity Christmas swim in aid of the RNLI.
Hundreds of people have taken part in charity Christmas swims across Ireland.
In Dublin, swimmers braved the cold water on an otherwise mild morning in Clontarf, where a picturesque sunrise featured bursts of gold, pink and red emerging behind the capital’s famous Poolbeg Stacks.
Others dived straight in while their friends and family, and a few pets, watched. Some observers, though, said they could “never” do it.
She was one of three members of Clontarf yacht club who were rescued by the RNLI in an incident several years ago.
She said her family has had many interactions with the RNLI over the years and added: “We’re delighted to say we owe them a debt.”
She has witnessed all sorts of conditions, including the breaking of ice at the top of the slip.
“We’re nearly at that stage here,” she said – as hot whiskeys were prepared for those who needed to warm up.
“It was very nice, everyone always brings something down.”
Sean Mulligan said the water was “very cold”, but that the mild accompanying weather made it a “lovely day to do it”.
He said he was “delighted” to start a Christmas day tradition with Jill Owens and their 10-week old daughter Maisie – as all three wore Santa hats.
Ms Owens added: “I’ll have no excuse next year.”
Through chattering teeth, she added that it was “very, very cold”.
“But this gives you the energy for the cooking time, opening presents – and you won’t feel tired for the rest of the day.”
However, she noted that swimmers were planning to warm up with some coffee – and perhaps that drop of whiskey too.
Other sea swims had been organised across the island, including on Inchydoney beach in Cork and Blackrock Pier in Galway.
