There were tailbacks as far back as Monkstown on Wednesday morning as hundreds of people descended on the Forty Foot in Sandycove, Co Dublin, for the annual Christmas Day swim.
The popular bathing spot was thronged with swimmers and spectators, many of whom were decked out in Christmas regalia — jumpers, dressing gowns and Santa hats as crimes against fashion went unpunished here.
“There’s a fella cooking sausages over here, lads,” called one woman to her friends as she climbed the concourse from the sea back to the main road. “I hope there’s an Irish coffee waiting for me when I get out,” said another man.
There was also mulled wine on offer, while many people stood around holding steaming hot mugs of tea and coffee.
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Nicholas Byrne (35) from Sallynoggin, who was having a shower following his swim, described the water as “freezing”.
“Anyone who says it isn’t cold is lying,” he said. “It’s all about the atmosphere. The people, the little charity vans, the people selling coffee. You get in, do your little dip, dry off, stay around for 20 minutes, soak in the spirit, get a little tea or a hot chocolate, and then you’re back home for your breakfast.”
Sisters Lola (18) and Issy Jordan (17) were selling mulled wine and Rice Krispie buns by the side of the road in aid of the Galway Rape Crisis Centre and the Galway Autism Partnership.
“Something for the kids and something for the grown-ups,” said Issy Jordan, who said they got the idea after their school organised a fundraiser for Uganda last year.
“The atmosphere down here is just great,” said Lola. “The community is wonderful. Maybe it’s the sea air that is driving everyone a bit crazy, but it is really the giving season and everyone is just trying to do their part.”
Michael O’Donovan (53) from Sutton was standing around waiting for some friends from the Irish tango community to arrive.
“This is our first year doing it, but it’s something we want to develop because there are a lot of international people involved and they may not have families here,” he said. “This is something to do on Christmas Day — get together, hang out, and meet people.”
Eavan Coakley (43) also said it was her first year doing the Christmas swim. “I checked and it’s about 9 degrees in there today,” she said.
“There is lots of festive spirit and huge crowds so it’s a brilliant atmosphere. Lots of people are dressed up. There are Santa hats around and a barbecue going.” In terms of her plans for the rest of the day, she said she was “off to Mass”.
Alan Stone (42) from Tallaght claimed he was in the water for 10 minutes. “It’s freezing,” he said. “It’s a mild day but it’s very cold in the water. The swimming is unreal though!
“It breaks up the day. Instead of sitting around eating chocolates all day, get down, do something healthy, and then you’re fresh for the rest of the day. The hardest part is getting your car in and out of here. We’ve to go down and collect it now, so we don’t expect to be home before six o’clock this evening.”
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