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National - Event Notice
Thursday January 01 1970

Annual CABHAIR Christmas Swim.

category national | history and heritage | event notice author Wednesday October 06, 2010 15:07author by Sharon. - Individual.

An annual fundraiser for the families of Irish POW's.

This coming December 25th will mark the 34th consecutive CABHAIR Christmas Day Swim in the Grand Canal , Dublin !
The CABHAIR Christmas Day Swim will be 34-years-young on the 25th December 2010 !
The CABHAIR Christmas Day Swim will be 34-years-young on the 25th December 2010 !

Hi !
It began - properly structured and organised - in 1976 ,as a ‘fundraiser with a difference’ , combined with the need to gain extra publicity for a situation which was then - as now - making world headlines . Those that sat down together in early September 1976 to tighten-up the then ‘hit-and-miss’ affair were a dedicated team who fully understood that to fail in their business would not only bring derision on them and the issue they sought to highlight , but would give their enemy a publicity coup which they would exploit to the fullest extent . With that in mind , the team persevered - favours were called-in , guarantees were secured , provisions obtained and word dispatched to like-minded individuals in the near-locale . At the appointed time on the agreed day - 12 Noon , Christmas Day 1976 - a soon-to-be 34-years-young event was ‘born’…….
The CABHAIR Christmas Day Swim is , thankfully , still going strong and will be , as mentioned , 34-years-young on December 25th next!

Sponsored Swim * Christmas Day * 12 Noon * Grand Canal * 3rd Lough* Inchicore* Dublin*
Pics and a write-up re the 2009 Swim can be seen at the 'Related Link' below.
All Welcome!
Thanks,
Sharon.

Related Link: http://11sixtynine.blogsome.com/2009/12/26/cabhair-swim-25th-december-2009-pics-words-and-links/

Comments (14 of 14)

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author by Gregpublication date Mon Oct 11, 2010 11:44author address author phone

there seems to be no end to this swim,I can remember it for at least the last 30 years and i'm not a republican supporter.But credit where its due to ye for keeping it going.

author by Sharon. - Individual.publication date Wed Oct 13, 2010 19:03author address author phone

Hi Greg!
Thanks for your message - much appreciated!
This coming Christmas day will be the 34th consecutive CABHAIR Canal Swim , and some of those that are on the Organising Committee have been there since the first one.
Whether you're a republican supporter or not , you're very welcome to come along on the day - it's a good Cause , and great craic!
Thanks!
Sharon.

And the Flag is up......for the 34th on the 25th!
And the Flag is up......for the 34th on the 25th!

Related Link: http://11sixtynine.blogsome.com/2009/12/26/cabhair-swim-25th-december-2009-pics-words-and-links/
author by Sharon. - Individual.publication date Tue Dec 21, 2010 19:47author address author phone

Hi !

At the time of writing , there are seven swimmers confirmed for this event , with another two 'possibilities' , and the local shops , pubs and off-licences etc have, between them , donated enough 'goodies' to fill a small van - go raibh míle maith agaibh as bhur gcúnamh, a Chairde !
(Thanks to M O'F for the pic)
Thanks,
Sharon.

Christmas Swim , 3rd Lough , Inchicore , 1979 : we probably (!) won't have the sunshine, but no matter !
Christmas Swim , 3rd Lough , Inchicore , 1979 : we probably (!) won't have the sunshine, but no matter !

Related Link: http://1169andcounting.blogspot.com
author by Stephen Cunninghampublication date Wed Dec 22, 2010 17:42author address author phone

I wont be in Dublin this year but it is great to see this lunatic tradition still happening!

author by Sharon. - Individual.publication date Wed Dec 22, 2010 20:24author address author phone

Hi Stephen !

Thanks for your message of support - much appreciated , and I'll be sure to pass it on, on Christmas Day . Wish I could argue with you re the swimmers being "lunatics" , but I can't ;-) !
Thanks!
Sharon.

'Robert Emmet Cumann' banner , 25th December 1979 Christmas Swim , Inchicore.
'Robert Emmet Cumann' banner , 25th December 1979 Christmas Swim , Inchicore.

author by Sharon. - Individual.publication date Sun Dec 26, 2010 23:40author address author phone

Hi !
Despite ice on the Grand Canal , and 12 inches of snow on the banks , the CABHAIR Swim went ahead , almost as planned - we moved 'site' , slightly , and were later than usual in starting.
A more detailed report , and about two dozen pics , can be seen via the 'Related Link' , below.
Thanks!
Sharon.

"If I sneak in , it mightn't be too bad..."
"If I sneak in , it mightn't be too bad..."

"S'no joke , this CABHAIR Swim..."
"S'no joke , this CABHAIR Swim..."

Related Link: http://1169andcounting.blogspot.com
author by wowedpublication date Mon Dec 27, 2010 02:40author address author phone

Wow, I'm wowed by their dedication. I trust that their helpers got them back to normal body temperature soon after the dip.

author by Sharon. - Individual.publication date Mon Dec 27, 2010 10:59author address author phone

Hi 'Wowed' !

Thank You for dropping in , and for the comment - appreciated !
All seven swimmers were a wee bit disoriented immediately after we took them out of the water but , after a few hot brandies/whiskies - or tea/coffee - and 20 minutes standing and/or sitting beside the fire , all recovered , with three of them wanting to dive in again !
However , the Organisers assured the three swimmers that they had 'earned their keep' and requested that they not enter the water again , as it was not necessary for them to do so , a second time. And, thankfully , they stayed put , on the snowy ground!
It was very rough just being 'on site' , as the conditions were freezing and treacherous underfoot , and I can only imagine what it must have been like in the water!
Thanks again for your comment.
Sharon.

A safety-rope being put in place - in the event , it wasn't needed , thankfully!
A safety-rope being put in place - in the event , it wasn't needed , thankfully!

Related Link: http://11sixtynine.blogsome.com/2010/12/26/cabhair-christmas-swim-25th-december-2010/
author by lomansneypublication date Mon Dec 27, 2010 14:45author address author phone

proud of the Republican Movement with such dedication ! well done, lads!!!!

author by Sharon. - Individual.publication date Tue Dec 28, 2010 10:50author address author phone

Hi Lomansney!

Thanks for that - appreciated!
We know this thread is being read by Swim supporters and other interested parties in the Inchicore / Kilmainham area , and we want to say 'Thank You' to the pubs , off-licences , shops , garages etc in that area for all the 'goodies' which , as usual , they contributed - we had enough mince pies , all sort of drink , sweets , crisps etc etc for everyone!
It helped to 'make the day' -thanks.
Sharon.

"Below-freezing canal water ? Bah , humbug - lemme at it...!"
"Below-freezing canal water ? Bah , humbug - lemme at it...!"

Related Link: http://1169andcounting.blogspot.com
author by Stephenpublication date Thu Jan 06, 2011 10:56author address author phone

i thought it would have been postponed due to the snow and the ice and surprised to hear that it went ahead,but congrats to all involved for keeping to your word.
Thats rare in these politically corrupt times -well done cabhair and the swimmers.

author by Sharon. - Individual.publication date Fri Jan 07, 2011 20:30author address author phone

Hi Stephen!
Thanks for the comment - appreciated.
It was the worst year , so far , weather-wise but , by all accounts , it's shaping-up to be the best year , financially , for the Organisers.
I think they are hoping for similar weather for the next one , too....
;-)
Thanks again !
Sharon.

Related Link: http://11sixtynine.blogsome.com/2010/12/26/cabhair-christmas-swim-25th-december-2010/
author by Caoimghínpublication date Mon Jan 10, 2011 23:10author address author phone

Classy. Very classy. My favourite picture is the one with the kid apparently making a bonfire of himself in a chair. Definitely one for the Darwin awards. More like this, please!

author by Sharon. - Individual.publication date Tue Jan 11, 2011 00:37author address author phone

Hi Caoimghín !
There is no such picture on this thread , Caoimghín - did Darwin not wear his glasses either , I wonder....?
Thanks anyway !
Sharon.

Related Link: http://1169andcounting.blogspot.com

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