AFTER DAYS OF stormy, rainy and just plain miserable December weather, most of the country’s been experiencing a clear, dry, sunny Christmas Day — perfect conditions for the thousands of hardy souls who’ve been planning their annual festive swim.

This was how it looked in Malahide, north Dublin, as locals flocked to the strand to lend their support to those taking the plunge:

Thanks to Emma Devlin for the photos — great work!

Over on the southside, there was a good turnout for the traditional dip at the Forty Foot — including this celebrity bather:

Let’s hope Santa was okay afterwards — all those tots of whiskey obviously had a certain effect on his (usually impeccable) diving skills. Thanks to Stephen Devine for the photo.

This one was sent in from Don Donoghue at the Forty Foot. It landed in our inbox titled simply ‘The Powers’; we’re not entirely sure whether that refers to the subjects of the photo or their choice of post-swim beverage.

Meanwhile, in the West:

Eibhlín Seoighthe sent these in from the swim at Blackrock, where conditions have clearly been a little more challenging today.

Read: Enjoy it while it lasts.. A fresh ‘orange alert’ storm warning’s just been issued