Famed Icebreaker to be laid to rest later today

Holder of the national freshwater record for Christmas morning swims

The funeral will take place later today (Wednesday) of Sean Walsh, the man who began and continued the tradition of braving the chilly waters of Annagh Lake on Christmas morning back in 1967.

Holder of the national freshwater record for Christmas morning swims in a row, Mr Walsh (90) of Wolfe Tone Street, Cavan Town, passed away peacefully in the loving care of his daughter Jacinta, son in law Jimmy and the wonderful staff at College View Nursing Home on September 7. Mr Walsh swam most lakes in Ireland and the British Isles.

Sean recently celebrated his 90th birthday surrounded by family and friends.

In 2008 the well-known long distance swimmer was presented with the inaugural E. T. O’Hanlon Memorial Shield for the first swimmer to complete 40 Christmas Morning swims in-a-row.

It was a double celebration for the popular Sean as he was also presented with the gold medal from five local businesses to commemorate the occasion, which is an Irish record for Christmas morning fresh water swims.

Beloved husband of the late Maria (May) (nee McConville) and son of the late Michael and Mary Walsh, Mr Walsh will be sadly missed by his family, his relatives, neighbours and many, many friends.

His Funeral takes place at St Brigid’s Church, Killygarry, this morning, arriving via Swellan Lake and Wolfe Tone Street, for 11am Mass. Burial will take place in the family plot in the adjoining cemetery.