Christmas swimmers brave the cold for charity

FEW people were more deserving of hot drinks on Christmas Day than those who took part in sponsored swims around the country.

Well over 1,000 intrepid souls braved the cold, if dry and sometimes sunny, conditions before tackling the turkey and plum pudding.

While most such events were high-spirited and fun-filled, there was a deep sense of poignancy at the St Stephen’s Day swim in Slade Harbour, Co Wexford, following the recent Rising Sun lobster boat tragedy which claimed three lives.