We queued up at Garryvoe in East Cork on Christmas morning to park our car.  I wondered had I hibernated for six months and awoken in a different season.  When it was our turn to go we had to park the car three quarters way down the promenade and walk back to the hub of the activity.  This was not a normal day; the swimmers were all going to swim for charity.

We got out of the car wrapped in our winter woollies and fleece lined jackets.  A strong wind was blowing, bringing with it the rain and the cold.  We were greeted by people wrapped in towels.  Many had Santa hats on and towels wrapped around them.  I felt the odd one out with my jacket keeping me warm and dry.

There was no hanging around.  They were on a mission and that was to do what they were paid to do, get wet.  The Irish lifeboat service was one of several charities represented at Garryvoe this Christmas morning.  The banter was good humoured but their reason for being there was serious.

In 2010, when many were sitting down to their Christmas dinner the crew of the Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat launched to assist three persons who had become stranded on the island off Ballycotton pier by the incoming tide.  Ralph Gunn is one of many who happily give up an hour on Christmas Day for this well needed charity.  Who knows when you or a friend or even a member of your family will need to call on this service?  The Irish lifeboat service depends on donations and fundraising events to operate this free service.  Ballycotton in East Cork is one of over forty RNLI lifeboat stations throughout Ireland who are on standby 24 / 7 and they are very thankful for all the support they have received in 2011.

Christmas Day Swim In Youghal 2010

Click on image to enlarge: Pics: Kevin Power

A Christmas day swim at Garryvoe Beach in East Cork has become a tradition for many hardy men and women to raise funds for charity.  Ralph Gunn and his friends run into the waves across the bay from the small village of Ballycotton to help raise funds for Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat.  The event has become very popular for many people who turn out to cheer them on and 2010 was no different.

The sun shone warmly on the keen fundraisers, who took time to pose for photographs before noon.  The tide was receding when the clock struck 12 and the swimmers started their trek towards the waiting waves.  They were cheered on by supporters lining the seafront and watched from the sea by three RNLI lifeboat crewmembers in the Ballycotton lifeboat boarding boat.  When all the fundraising swimmers were safely ashore the lifeboat boarding boat returned to Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat station and lifeboat crewmembers, fundraising swimmers and supporters turned to celebrating Christmas with their families.

The weather this Christmas day was so pleasant some people took a stroll to make the most of the sunny day.  Four foreign nationals, visiting Ballycotton for the day, decided to explore the small island between Ballycotton pier and the lighthouse off shore.  However, not realising how quick the tide turns they quickly became stranded and had to wait until they caught someone’s attention on the shore.  At 16:00 the alarm was raised and the RNLI lifeboat pagers were activated.  Dinners and families were abandoned as lifeboat crewmembers gathered at the lifeboat station.  The boarding boat was again launched and with three lifeboat crewmembers aboard proceeded to safely recover the four unfortunate adventurers.

Satisfied the casualties were not suffering any ill effects of their adventure RNLI lifeboat crewmembers returned home to resume where they had left off a short while earlier.

Bláthnaid Lane Walsh
Press Officer
Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat station

At 8am on Christmas morning John will hoist the lifeboat flag at Garryvoe Beach, across the bay from Ballycotton lifeboat station in East Cork.  John is forewarning people that Ralph and his friends, John included, will dive into the icy waters at 12 noon in aid of Ballycotton lifeboat.  The snow last year didn’t stop this hardy bunch of fundraisers and this year won’t be any different.

People gather from 11:30 am on Christmas morning in support of their loved ones who are taking a dip for charity.  The car park is as busy as a fine summer’s day and the atmosphere is like no other time.  The supporters are well wrapped up against the elements and have towels and warm clothes ready as the swimmers emerge from the cold Atlantic waters.

All associated with Ballycotton lifeboat appreciate what these swimmers go through on their behalf and thank them for their brave efforts.  It is hoped as many supporters as possible make the journey to Garryvoe to cheer them on.

The fundraisers for Ballycotton lifeboat would also like to thank anyone who helped and supported them in any way during 2010.  A happy Christmas to all.

A huge thank you for all the support you have given us at Ballycotton lifeboat throughout the year.  May you have a happy and peaceful Christmas.

Bláthnaid Lane Walsh
Press Officer
Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat station

087 4151475

Christmas Day swim at Garryvoe Beach in East Cork in aid of Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat.

The weather leading up to Christmas 2009 was arctic; perhaps even too cold for the hardy men and women who take an annual dip for charity.

At 7:00am on Christmas morning the ground in East Cork was covered with ice and thoughts of people swimming in the cold Atlantic ocean seemed unlikely. And then the weather changed. The temperatures rose slightly, dissolving the ice and the rain came, cold and icy. At 8:15am the RNLI lifeboat flag was raised at Garryvoe beach by John West. This was John’s statement to the elements that their planned sponsored annual swim at Garryvoe for Ballycotton lifeboat would go ahead, despite the weather. At 11:15am three Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat crewmembers, Niall Hassett, Aiden Sliney and William Sliney, abandoned their Christmas Day celebrations and put on their lifeboat gear.

They were launching the lifeboat boarding boat and standing by off-shore at Garryvoe to watch over the fundraising swimmers. Niall said that if the fundraisers could go into the sea in this weather for Ballycotton lifeboat it is the least they could do. At 11:55am Garryvoe promenade was like a summer’s day. Parking was at a premium. Family supporters came out in droves to support their hardy fundraising swimmers. Ralph Gunn was leading his band of fundraisers for Ballycotton lifeboat, with several family members and friends. His young son stayed in his mother’s arms, too young to join in the fun. Another son took a photograph of them ready to dive in which was sent to his supporters with the message to forward on their promised sponsorship money. At 12:00pm sharp they carefully went down to the beach and ran into the water. The tide was high and they didn’t have far to go. Some took a few strokes before leaving the freezing water to be wrapped in the warm towels held for them by their proud families. With a few final words to friends they returned to their warm homes to continue their Christmas Day celebrations, with the thought that they will do it all again next year. Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat would like to thank all those who took part in the swim on this cold Christmas Day. They would also like to thank all those who have supported them in any way throughout the year and hope that they will continue to do so in 2010.