The oceans and seas around Ireland were filled with screams and shouts on Christmas Day — and it was not out of shock at the wondrous gifts that Santa had delivered.
Kevin Twomey, Amy Winning, Siobhan O’Shea, Pádraig Wilson McCarthy, and Faye Ormond enjoying their Christmas Day swim at a sunny Myrtleville, Co Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan
Others exposed their pale freckled bodies to the freezing water.
They looked smugly at those who had decided to cover virtually every inch of skin in a thick layer of neoprene.
Dozens of hardy souls racing to the water for the Golden Jubilee Christmas Day Swim at Broadstrand, Courtmacsherry, West Cork. They were raising funds for the Paediatric Cystic Fibrosis Unit at Cork University Hospital and Horizons Cork (Cope Foundation) which support adults and children with intellectual disabilities. Picture: Martin Walsh
From the (comparatively) warmer beach, dogs barked at their owners who were venturing into the depths, the only thing stopping them from joining them being the rather more sane people at the other end of the lead who had come along to offer moral support.
Patrick Corkery from Castleknock plunged into the Forty Foot in Sandycove, Dublin, in a Santa hat and beard. Picture: Niall Carson/PA
In the water there was the usual divide.
There were those who stepped into the water at a glacially slow pace, letting out screeches as the water tipped off one sensitive area after another until finally they were at the point where it was ‘now or never’ and they let themselves drop.
Martina Hooley, Jo Breslin, Linda Donoghue, Tara Buckley, and Za McCarthy took the plunge in Youghal, Co Cork. Picture: Howard Crowdy
Others tore across the shallows and into the depths, flinging themselves into the water before the full impact of the cold could put them off.
There was also the usual sight of people coming out of the water and then going back in and uttering those maddening words to those who were entering for the first time: “It is always easier the second time you go back in”.
One participant’s reaction to the icy cold water at the Forty Foot in Sandycove, Dublin, sums up everyone’s notion of diving into the sea for a Christmas Day swim. Picture: Niall Carson/PA
From beaches all along the 1,200km coastline of Cork — at locations including Youghal, Myrtleville, Courtmacsherry, and Fountainstown — to Blackrock Pier at Salthill in Galway, and the Forty Foot in Dublin’s Sandycove, the Christmas atmosphere was undimmed by the cold conditions as people home for the holidays met friends and acquaintances they may not have seen for months.
Juliette Collins, Rochestown, and Jill Donegan, Douglas, at the Christmas Day swim in Fountainstown, Co Cork. Picture: David Creedon
It is a typically Irish, typically quirky pastime, the Christmas swims. And you can bet there will be more screams, curses, and laughter as more people fling themselves into the waves today.
• See more photos from Ireland’s Christmas Day swims here: In Pictures: Thousands take to sea for Christmas Day swims.
Anna and Terri O’Keefe, Claire Coffey, and Caoimhe O’Keeffe enjoying their Christmas Day swim at Myrtleville, Co Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan
Aoife Harte, Juliette Harte, and Nyah Burns from Timoleague at the Golden Jubilee Swim in Courtmacsherry, Co Cork. Picture: Martin Walsh
More than 400 swimmers took part in the Christmas Day swim at Banna Strand, Co Kerry in aid of the Banna Sea Rescue unit. It was followed by the traditional ‘back to the boathouse’ activities, including refreshments and music. Picture: Domnick Walsh
Making a splash at the annual Christmas Day Swim in Youghal, Co Cork. Picture: Howard Crowdy
Ailís Crowley from Bandon was one of the last out at the Golden Jubilee Christmas Day Swim at Broadstrand, Courtmacsherry, West Cork. Picture: Martin Walsh
Shai O’Donovan and her mum Anat having a warm cuppa after the Golden Jubilee Christmas Day Swim at Broadstrand, Courtmacsherry, West Cork. Picture: Martin Walsh