Bundoran swim ‘a wonderful event’ which ‘shows the spirit of Christmas’

The atmosphere was buzzing as dozens took the plunge this Christmas Day at the Thrupenny pool in Bundoran.

On the countdown before, Councillor Michael McMahon wished everyone a happy Christmas and told them to “enjoy yourselves the next couple of days.”

He said the “main thing is to keep yourself safe, look after yourself, and enjoy yourself.”

Bundoran Community Centre Manager Barry Sweeny had also thanked Cllr McMahon and Donegal County Council with cleaning out the Thrupenny pool just a few days ago, letting people “not just get their ankles wet”, but get in up to their knees or even shoulders.

Shrieks and laughter then filled the air as the crowds rushed into the freezing water, with young children and veterans of the tradition, locals and some all the way from Dublin all braving the Atlantic water.

A few very daring souls even submerged themselves fully, committing to getting the full experience.

“It was good weather for it, though,” one swimmer commented, saying that the sun shining helped with the mood and keeping warm, even if the temperature didn’t go above 5 degrees.

Christmas hits played as people tried to stay in as long as possible, from just a few seconds to over five minutes.

Barry Sweeny said that the dip is a “wonderful event,” and that it “shows the spirit of Christmas and the spirit of the Community.”

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This year, the funds raised from the Christmas Day challenge will be split between the Bundoran Community Centre and Ozanam House, which provides a “home away from home” for those who can no longer live by themselves.

“One of our main fundraisers this year was to start a new adolescent and children’s counselling service,” Mr Sweeny explained, which will start on January 9.

He said that events like these are “major” in helping to fund their work.