Sun shone for annual charity Christmas Day Swim in Offaly

THE winter sun shone down on the river bank in Banagher on Christmas morning 2025.

You could be fooled by the photos that the setting was on foreign sunny shores by the clear blue skies and the sun shining and not the icy conditions at the newly renovated Banagher public swimming pool.

The usual time of “after Mass” at 12 noon saw the crowds of spectators and avid volunteers of swimmers gather at the river, greeting each other merrily on the festive morning. There was a lovely atmosphere around as the brave swimmers began to make their way poolside in anticipation of the pre-dinner cold plunge for charity.

The event organisers, Paul Looby, Sean Corrigan and Antoinette Kelly, deemed Offaly Search and Recovery Unit as this year's recipients of the monies donated on the morning. John Mahon of OSR gratefully accepted €1,000 after the event and he thanked the people that donated on the morning and he also thanked the swimmers, without whom there would be no Christmas day swim.

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The unit depends on donations to keep the club up and running for the valuable services they provide in the area. They are a voluntary club that need money for various costs such as insurance for the boat, the van, the clubhouse and equipment and many fuel costs that occur throughout the year. Members of the Offaly Search and Recovery Unit were present on the day to provide shore cover for the safety of any novice swimmers.

Antoinette Kelly would like to thank the local swimming group for their continued support of the event, their participation enhances the morning in many ways. They are grateful for their co-operation and assistance on the day.

Thanks also to Sean Corrigan, MC on the day and who generously provided the PA system and mulled wine for all. Thanks again to everyone who supported the event on the day, looking forward to the 2026 event.

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