This article is from page 54 of the 2008-01-01 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 54 JPG
THERE was plenty of festive cheer in west Clare on Christmas morning as hundreds took part in the tradi- tional Christmas Day swims.
The largest crowd gathered in Mil- town Malbay.
More than 120 people braved the elements at the White Strand in aid of the Mid West Cancer Unit in Lim- erick.
Describing the swim now in its 15th year as “excellent”, participant Tony Cogan believed it wasn’t as cold as other years.
More than 200 people gathered to
watch the fun in Spanish Point, and enjoy some warm festive drinks.
While it rained just before and after the charity swim, the only time the swimmers got wet was when they hit the water.
In Kilkee the swim is in its 25th year.
Around 50 people took part in the swim in Kilkee at 12.30pm.
Due to the low tide, the swim was moved from the traditional point at the slipway to the beach. The event, organised by Kilkee Sub Aqua Club, attracted swimmers of all ages who braved chilly winds and choppy seas.
Half of the proceeds from the sponsored swim event will again go to the Scoil Realt na Mara Astroturf and playground project. Punch was served to swimmers after the event by Eileen Mulcahy of Kilkee Thalas- sotherapy Centre.
The people of Kilrush were out ear- ly this Charistmas Day – at 9.45 am. Despite the early start the tide was on the way out, but the determined swimmers made the most of it.
A huge crowd gathered in the freez- ing cold to watch the 30 swimmers who took to the waters for Kilrush RNLI and Multiple Sclerosis.
Santa Claus also swapped the air
for water and came ashore with the crew of the lifeboat and enjoyed the hot drinks with the locals after a very busy night.
Kildysart was the only fresh water DW bes meme etom ern yA
More than 50 people decided to take to the water of Gortlass Lake at midday.
According to one of the organisers John O’Connor, the conditions for the festive event now in its fifth year, were “reasonably good”’.
Again a crowd gathered to watch the swimmer raise money for the mini marathon cancer fund and enjoy a warm, much appreciated drink.