Let us swim, let us swim, let us swim

Now the weather outside is frightful but the sea is so delightful but if Ireland is your home, let us swim, let us swim, let us swim.

Brace yourself because the Irishman and woman (and dog, to be fair) loves hitting the water in the winter.

In my own wee town in Greystones, Co. Wicklow, the early morning swimmers were lauded.

And fed and watered at the institution that is the Happy Pear with hearty soup and coffee.

For as long as I’ve going to Ireland (all my 58 years) people have been bobbing their heads up above the swell.

And we’ve been encouraged too to dive off the pier in Portnoo, Co. Donegal, my Dear Old Mum’s homestead.

Or off Salthill in Co. Galway. on family holidays with my cousins, the Kennedys.

For the rest of the recommendations I’ll hand you over now.

To our our friends at Failte Ireland.

Who I know have roadtested each and every one of them and know some homely pubs and cafes for your post-swim reward.

Donegal diving

Bundoran, Co. Donegal: From Rossnowlagh Beach to Tullan Strand, Bundoran is a cold-water swim and surfing haven with Bundoran Surf Co teaching you all the moves.

Wexford waves

From Clare to beer

Ya Corker

 

Lough Hyne, West Cork:  Ireland’s first marine nature reserve and unique sea-water lake which enthusiasts say it’s a touch warmer than the open Atlantic Ocean.

 

And you might even catch a glimpse of the bioluminescence (you don’t have to go to Tobago then, but I would too) which appears on the lake. Stop off at O’Neill’s Coffee House.  

Salt of the earth

 

Pop into PJ Flaherty’s for a woodfired pizza, or to Coco Café Salthill for cuppa that’s sure to soothe the soul after a chilly swim.

Ladies (and gentlemen)

Home is the Howth

Claremont Beach, Co. Dublin:   Claremont beach is a small cove-like beach situated close to the village which is a terminus on the DART. 

Afterwards you can enjoy a range of hotspots to eat and drink such as Wrights of Howth or traditional fish and chips at Beshoff’s.

Velvet evolution

Portmarnock Beach, Co. Dublin:  And here’s 8km of beach stretching all the way to Baldoyle, adjoining Malahide Beach with shallow waters promised… to jump out at your will.

Doon by the Shore

Wild Swimming in Doon Shore at Lough Key, Co. Leitrim:  And if you were enchanted by Chris O’Dowd’s coming-of-age sitcom Moone Boy.

You’ll want to know more about Leitrim in the north-west of Ireland.

And an added extra here is the Wim Hof Method workshop with Lough Allen Adventure at Drumshambo where you can learn essential skills for baring the chilly waters when swimming this winter.  

Cooley waters