The Christmas Dip
The Irish have always been a hardy lot so the traditional Christmas day dip in the Atlantic shouldn’t come as a surprise. Mid Christmas morning, at various spots around the city, people gather to immerse themselves, albeit briefly, in body-numbing water where temperatures can leave the system in shock and in need of a quick hot port or a healthy dose of brandy on exit. Some of the best known places around Dublin for a fast and furious dunk are:
The Forty Foot, Sandycove.
Beside the James Joyce Martello Tower (where the famous Irish writer once lived and a museum containing his paraphernalia is now housed) large numbers of swimmers either wade in slowly from the small golden strand or leap into the water from diving posts at the side. The most famous spot for a swim, the gathering starts late morning and continues into the early afternoon.
The Vico Bathing Place, Dalkey.
Less than a couple of kilometres south of Sandycove, The Vico Bathing Place is where a smaller number of people gather for a dip. The views around here are spectacular, swim against a backdop of Dalkey Island, Bray Head and the Wicklow mountains in the distance.
The Pier, Ringsend.
A couple of kilometres from the centre of town, this is for the very hearty and brave as the pier is exposed to any winds blowing and can be quite wild, even in summer time. A regular group of swimmers come here all year round, with the real diehards coming on Christmas day.
Grand Canal Dock, Dublin Docklands.
At this city centre location local children leap off the bridge railings into the water of the dock below. Not the safest of manouevres, and some of the them do it in wetsuits.
The Strand at Portmarnock.
On the opposite extreme of the city to Sandycove and Dalkey, this Portmarnock Strand is a picturesque stretch of coastline and a popular spot for those living north of the city to take the dreaded dip.