Hardy hundreds take the plunge for charity

Hundreds of hardy Christmas Day swimmers today braved the chilly waters on the coastline to raise money for charity.

The biggest gathering was at Dublin’s Forty Foot bathing area where dippers donned fancy dress costumes for the annual event.

One swimmer arrived at the popular Dun Laoghaire venue in Batman gear while others sported Hawaiian-style grass skirts and floral necklaces.

Other charity swims were taking place in Salthill, Co Galway, Lahinch Co Clare, Ballybunion Co Kerry and Tramore Co Waterford.

Dubliner Peter Shaughnessy, 32, who took part in his fourth Christmas Day swim at the Forty Foot, was raising money for Third World agency, Touch Ireland, which builds schools in Africa.

He said: “It was cold enough in there, about three degrees, but the hardest part is always taking the initial plunge.”

The 32-year-old added: “The good thing is that it’s usually easy to collect money from people for this because they genuinely appreciate the hardship you go through.”

Mr Shaughnessy warmed up afterwards with a flask of steaming homemade brew of black tea, brandy, lemon and sugar.

The 25th annual GOAL Mile also took place at UCD in Dublin this morning as well as at 55 other locations around the country.

The organisers hope to exceed last year’s fundraising total of 240,000 euro from the events which first began in 1982.