Taoiseach, partner and thousands of others take part in Christmas day swims

People braved the cold waters from Co Dublin to Co Down

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and his partner Matt Barrett take part in the annual Christmas day swim at the Forty Foot bathing spot in Sandycove Dublin. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA

Thousands of people have taken part in Christmas Day swims with many raising money for charity.

Ali Carroll, jumps in for a Christmas swim at the forty foot, Sandycove, Co. Dublin on Christmas morning. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Enjoying a Christmas swim at the forty foot, Sandycove, Co Dublin on Christmas morning. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and his partner Matt Barrett take part in the annual Christmas day swim at the Forty Foot bathing spot in Sandycove Dublin. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA
Enjoying a Christmas swim at the forty foot, Sandycove, Co Dublin on Christmas morning. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times

The annual Christmas day swim has become a custom in many households with festive dips taking place across the Ireland from the forty foot in Sandycove in Co Dublin to Donaghadee in Co Down.

Dee O Connor, from Bother na Breena, Co Dublin, enjoying a Christmas swim at the forty foot, Sandycove, Co Dublin on Christmas morning. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Brigid Brady, (right) taking a leap during a Christmas swim at the forty foot, Sandycove, Co Dublin on Christmas morning. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

The Forty Foot swim is in its 40th year with all of its proceeds going to the Sligo branch of of The Alzheimer Society of Ireland.

Enjoying a Christmas swim at the forty foot, Sandycove, Co Dublin on Christmas morning. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times