Dive into charity: Christmas day charity swims in Ireland

Christmas Day charity swims in Ireland are a decades long tradition. After all, what better way to beat the Christmas Eve hangover than diving into charity at one of Ireland’s Annual Christmas Day Swims? Take a dip and feel exhilarated, all while giving back to a good cause (or several). Read more below for details!

Dive into Charity with one of the many annual Christmas Day swims in Ireland! This decades old tradition serves to wake you up, exhilarate you, maybe even stave off that Christmas Eve Hangover, all while contributing to a good cause [or several as the case may be]. Here’s just some of the many swims available to you this Christmas Day, all serving to fundraise for local charities that improve medical facilities, social integration, social services and more across Ireland!

Give back during this holiday season here!

Christmas charities in Ireland

COPE Galway Christmas Swim

COPE Galway strives to bring hope to the most vulnerable and isolated men, women, and families this holiday season through their annual Christmas Swim. Last year they had over 1000 swimmers take part in the event and raised over €37,000 for homelessness, domestic abuse, and senior support services in Galway. COPE Galway has a vision for “an improved quality of life in a home of their own for people affected by homelessness, women and children experiencing domestic abuse, and older people.” This worthy cause is charging only €10 for individuals to register and €35 for families. Buy your tickets to this Christmas Day swim in Ireland here. If you’re unable to attend, fear not! You can explore all the different ways to help out COPE Galway here.

When: 10am-1pm Christmas Day Where: Blackrock Beach, Galway, Ireland

Friends of Cobh Hospital 35th annual Christmas Day Swim

Just a few months ago, The Irish Examiner reported on the imminent closure of Cobh Community Hospital – a hospital that has served the people of Cobh for over 100 years. The dire financial situation at Cobh Hospital could have serious consequences for the 44 elderly residents as well as the 15 nursing staff. Friend’s of Cobh Hospital are hoping to turn things around by raising awareness and funds for the community hospital through their Christmas Day Swim. If you’re unable to attend this year’s annual Christmas Day swim, then check out Cobh Community Hospital’s Friend’s page and see how you too can help keep this local hospital thriving. Sponsorship cards are available by contacting the event’s host.

When: 11:30am-12:30 pm

Where: Cuskinny Cobh, County Cork, Ireland

Schull Christmas Day Swim

In aid of the Cope Foundation, an organization that strives to enhance the lives of people with intellectual abilities and/or autism, The 39th annual Schull Christmas Day swim will take place at Schull Pier. To register before the event, click here. There will also be limited registration at 11:30am on the morning of the swim. Sponsorship cards are available from Schull Post office.

Organizers ask that you bring warm clothing for after your swim. If you are unable to make the event, more information on how you can make a difference can be found here.

When: 12pm-1pm

Where: Schull Pier, Harbour View, Meenvane, Schull, Co.Cork, Ireland

[look at them having fun ;)]

Christmas day swim with Kilkee Sub Aqua Club

In aid of cancer research conducted by researchers at NUI Galway as well as Kilkee Sub Aqua Search & Recovery, Kilkee SubAqua Club are hosting their annual Christmas Day Swim at Kilkee SubAqua Club. According to NUI Galway, 1 in 9  Irish women will develop breast Cancer during their lifetime. NUI Galway’s National Breast Cancer Research Institute is committed to funding breast cancer research for women in Ireland and across the globe. They strive to improve diagnosis, treatment options, and outcomes for those who suffer from this disease. Additionally, proceeds from this swim will also go to the the Kilkee SubAqua Club Search and Recovery unit. Sponsorship cards available at Myles Creek Bar and Next Door Off Licence locations. If you’re unable to get a hold of a card or can’t make it, you can donate to NUI Galway’s Cancer research here and the Kilkee SubAqua Search and Recovery unit here.

When: 12:30pm-1pm

Where: Kilkee SubAqua Club, Doonbeg Road, Kilkee, Co. Clare, Ireland

Loughrea Icebreakers Christmas Day SWIM 2019

Hosted by CASA Loughrea (Caring And Sharing Association), a voluntary organisation whose purpose is to provide social outlet to people with disabilities by “developing friendships and social networks that most people take for granted.” Founded in 1981, CASA has expanded rapidly to help communities in Dublin, Bray, Cork, Longford, Galway, Maynooth and more. To participate in this Christmas Day swim in Ireland, sponsorship cards available in Loughrea Library. Additionally, if you’re away Christmas Day, you can check out all the ways to help this outstanding organization here.  Bonus: There’s going to be T-shirts, a DJ, hot drinks, and great craic! 😉

When: 11:30am-12pm

Where: The Long Point Loughrea

Carrick on Shannon Christmas Day Swim

Taking place at the slipway near the Emerald Star Line (aka the four poles), is the Carrick on Shannon Christmas Day Swim of 2019! This swim is operating  in aid of the National Council for the Blind as well as the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. The National Council for the Blind [NCBI} is a not for profit charity offering services to people of all ages who are experiencing issues with their eyesight. They serve over 8,000 people each year, 2,000 of which are seeing for the first time. Additionally, Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind enables people with sight loss as well as families of children with autism to ‘lead better lives, become more independent and more mobile.” Sponsorship cards are available or donations can be made on the day. If you’re unable to make it, you can give a donation to NCBI here and Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind here.

When: 1:30pm-2:30pm

Where: Slipway near Emerald Star line (aka The Four Poles), Carrick On Shannon

Christmas Day Swim 2019 In Aid of ‘Kenmare Mental Health’

On its third year running, the annual Christmas Day swim hosted by Pro-Service Technicians is diving into the tundra in aid of Kenmare Mental Health Association. This organisation serves to improve the quality of life and mental health of the residents of Kenmare through social inclusion and community integration. They also offer mindfulness classes for those suffering from anxiety and stress within the local community. It only costs €5 per person to take part and all other donations are welcome. If you’re unable to make it, you can learn more about their cause here. Bonus: refreshments are provided [but feel free to bring your own ;)].

When: 11am -12pm Christmas Day

Where: The Pier, Kenmare

Cromane Annual Christmas Day Swim 2019

On this 5th annual Cromane Christmas Day Swim in Ireland, swimmers are urged to participate in aid of Kerry Diabetes Day Care Centre and in memory of Dennis O’Shea. The Kerry Diabetes Day Care Centre provides assessment, advice, treatment and management of Type 1, Type 2, Gestational Diabetes as well as podiatry service for the Kerry community. The event will take place at 11am Christmas Day at Cromane Beach, Killorglin. If you’re unable to attend, check out donation and fundraising options here.

When: 11am-12pm

Where: Cromane Beach, Killorglin

Christmas Swim for Cystic Fibrosis

This annual Christmas Day Swim has operated for seven years to help raise money for Raise for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland. Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease affecting the linis and digestive system. Ireland has the highest incidence of Cystic Fibrosis in the world. Approximately 1 in 19 Irish people carry one of the altered genes that causes Cystic Fibrosis. CFI is a voluntary organisation was established in 2963 to improve the treatment, facilities, and welfare offered to those who suffer from Cystic Fibrosis in Ireland. This swim will take place from 11 am to 12pm Christmas Day. If you are unable to attend, you can donate to this cause here.

When: 11am-12pm

Where: Loughshinny, Dubllin, Ireland

Lough Arrow Christmas Day Swim

The 19th Annual Christmas Day Swim in aid of the North West Hospice in Sligo, The North West Hospice in Sligo provides “specialist care with compassion for those with life-limiting illness in [their] community.” These communities include Sligo, Leitrim,South Donegal, and West Cavan. This is the 17th swim to take place on Christmas Day and the organizers promise there are plenty of prizes and fun to be had on the day. If you’re unable to attend this swim, not to worry! You can donate to the cause here.

Registration from 12:30pm

When: 1pm sharp

Where: Brick (Flynn’s) pier Lough Arrow, Sligo

Any one of these Charity Christmas swims will be more than fun and you will be contributing to a more than worthy causes. So go on! Dive in and tell us about your experience!

Have you participated in any of these swims, let us know about your experiences below, we can’t wait to hear from you!

Photo credits:

Featured Image: Jens Johnsson via Unsplash

“Brrrrrrrr” by Hatters! is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

“swimming-race-119” by nerosunero is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0