Balloons to be launched in memory of Sean and Brian
This year's Christmas swim, hosted by Cavan Icebreakers Swimming Club, will take a minute to honour two stalwarts of the popular event.
This swim will mark the 55th annual Christmas morning swim at Annagh Lake, Butlersbridge, Cavan, and all swimmers from near and far are invited to join in the freezing festive fun.
The event will start at 11.30am so all swimmers are advised to arrive at the lough shore by 11am. Trophies will as usual be presented to the youngest boy and girl to take part in the swim. All parents of young swimmers are asked to give the child's age and date of birth to secretary of Cavan Icebreakers, Jacinta Dunleavy, by 11:15am.
Cavan Civil Defence will be in attendance. Everyone attending is asked to co-operate with the stewards for parking.
The swim was started on Christmas morning 1958 by well-known, Cavan long-distance swimmer Sean Walsh. Sean went on to complete 50 Christmas morning swims in a row, as well as traversing many of the larger lakes of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Sean sadly passed away in September this year.
There will be a minute's silence before the swim for Sean, and also for Brian Daly (RIP), Cavan who also sadly passed away this year.
Brian was a great friend of the swim and attended annually along with Aine Duffy as Cavan TV screened the community event online to all at home and abroad.
Sean's daughter Jacinta will release a bunch of Breffni blue balloons in memory of her father Sean, and also in memory of Brian Daly for his long association with the event - two proud Cavan men who will never be forgotten. Anyone wishing to do so may bring a blue balloon to release in their memory.
A full list of the men's and ladies' records will be published in the report after the swim. Cavan Icebreakers state that no t-shirts, hoodies or towels will be permitted in the group photograph so that all swimmers may be seen.
Hopefully Santa and his helpers will make their usual visit to the swim on their return to the North Pole after a very busy night. Who knows, maybe they will join the hardy swimmers for a dip!
Cavan Icebreakers wish to state that all swimmers taking part do so at their own risk and to remind everyone to please take care of their personal items and equipment.
A raffle will be held before the swim in aid of Cavan Alzheimer's Society who support people with dementia and their families, so please bring along your spare change and support.