In Pictures: Thousands take to sea for Christmas Day swims in support of good causes

Swimmers take to the water at the annual swim in Broadstrand, Courtmacsherry. Picture: Martin Walsh.

Thousands of swimmers took took to the water for charity swims on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in conditions that were somewhat milder than in previous years.

On Christmas Eve, hundreds took the plunge at Myrtleville on behalf of the Harlequins Cricket Club, who are trying to raise funds to improve their facilities. A charity swim also took place on Myrtleville on Christmas morning.

Molly the dog pictured chasing waves at Myrtleville. Picture: Chani Anderson

Swimmers at Myrtleville Beach on Christmas Eve. Picture: Chani Anderson

Large crowds also turned out for a dip at Garretstown Breach in West Cork, where tea and coffee were on hand for those taking part. 

Christmas Morning at Garretstown Beach. Picture: Denis Boyle

From midday, swimmers in Christmas garb also hit the beach at Broadstrand in Courtmacsherry to help raise funds for Cope and the Children's Cystic Fibrosis Unit at Cork University Hospital (CUH).

The 48th annual swim in Broadstrand in Courtmacsherry. Picture: Martin Walsh

At Inchydoney, festive swimmers also gathered from 11am in support of the Dunmanway Day Unit at CUH.

Over in Rosscarbery, swimmers braved sea temperatures of around 10C off Warren Beach to raise money for Cancer Connect and the Rosscarbery Social Services Centre.

Other Christmas Day swims in support of various good causes also took place at Fountainstown Beach, on Front Strand in Youghal, in Kinsale Harbour, on Tragumna near Skibbereen, and in Schull.

In Kerry, Christmas Day swims took place in Fenit, on Banna Beach, and in Killarney. Similar events also took place in Limerick, Waterford, Clare and Galway.  

Sinead O'Mahony , Ciara McCarthy and Sally O'Mahony from Tralee at the Christmas Day Swim at Banna Beach Co Kerry. Picture: Domnick Walsh/Eye Focus LTD

Risteard Mulcahy from Youghal enjoying his time at the recent Christmas Day Swim on the Front Strand in Youghal. Picture: Howard Crowdy

Caoimhe Walsh, James Cotter and Lucy Kelleher from Killeagh seen running in from the cold water during the Christmas Day Swim on the Front Strand in Youghal. Picture: Howard Crowdy

Edward O'Callaghan celebrates after finishing his Christmas morning swim at Fountainstown, Co. Cork.Picture: David Creedon

In Dublin, swimmers gathered at the famous forty foot in Sandycove from the early morning or their annual Christmas plunge.

Swimmers at the Forty Foot. Picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie.

The Christmas morning swim and the Forty Foot in Sandycove. Picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie.

Patrick Corkery dressed as Santa and his son Matthew, 12, dressed as an elf, taking part in the annual Christmas Day swim at the Forty Foot. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Yet more sea swims are scheduled for St Stephen's Day. 

At Clonea Strand in Waterford, attendees will help raise funds for 14-year-old Caroline Kenny, who is currently undergoing treatment in Germany for a brain tumour.

Over 500 swimmers turned out at Banna Beach in Kerry this morning. Picture: David Walsh