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.

Diver Billy O’Connor, from New Ross, who lost his life while diving on the wreck in the search for skipper Pat Colfer’s body, had been a regular participant in the annual swim.

Yesterday, his sisters, Caitriona Flanagan O’Connor and Pauline Murphy O’Connor, took part.

About 50 swimmers went into the water at Slade Harbour, watched by around 300 spectators, several times more than usual, in honour of the late Mr O’Connor.

“Billy was an extremely popular man who always dressed up colourfully for this annual swim. He’s greatly missed,” said one of the organisers.

The Rising Sun sank off the Great Saltee Island, on November 29, and Mr Colfer’s body has not yet been found.

Hundreds of swimmers also took the plunge at Fountainstown and Myrtleville, Co Cork, in cold and breezy conditions on Christmas Day.

Swims at Inchydoney and Cunnamore in West Cork benefited famine victims in Mozambique, Lisheen national school and St Patrick’s special class in Skibbereen.

In Kerry on Christmas Day, more than 100 people went into the sea at Banna as part of an annual fundraiser for Banna Sea Rescue. Santa acted as MC and the event was watched by hundreds of people.

Whiskey punch was provided afterwards on the beach.

The COPE Christmas swim was well supported in Galway Bay, as was the swim at Guillamene, Tramore, in aid of Assisi Home.

Also in keeping with tradition, there was a big turn-out for the swim at the Forty Foot in Dublin.