Crowds brave chilly temperatures for Christmas Day swim

By Staff reporter
Published 25th Dec 2025, 13:18 BST
Updated 25th Dec 2025, 13:35 BST
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Huge crowds have taken part in the annual Christmas Day swim at a popular bathing spot in Dublin – including the “Forty Foot Santa”.

Thousands thronged to the Forty Foot promontory in Sandycove as people pulled on Santa hats to take part in the festive dip despite bitterly cold conditions.placeholder image
Thousands thronged to the Forty Foot promontory in Sandycove as people pulled on Santa hats to take part in the festive dip despite bitterly cold conditions.

Veteran swimmer Patrick Corkery has been doing the Christmas Day swim for more than 30 years.

Dressed as Santa, he joked: “I just needed to do one more swim before I headed back to Lapland.placeholder image
Dressed as Santa, he joked: “I just needed to do one more swim before I headed back to Lapland.

“It is fantastic although it’s a bit rough today. You need to keep an eye on the waves on a day like today.

“The water is about seven degrees. It is freezing.”

Christmas Day swims are held in locations across Ireland.

Related topics:Dublin
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