In pictures: Festive fun across Cork with Christmas swims and the Wren Boys festival

Hundreds of people across Cork took part in Christmas Day swims, where 10C air temperatures made for a slightly more pleasant experience than previous years — though most reported that it was still very cold.

Christoph Hoff from Denmark was in West Cork for Christmas with his girlfriend and took part in his first Christmas Day swim at Inchydoney Beach.

He told The Echo: “I was a bit nervous to begin with, but when we arrived at the beach and saw so many people there it was quite exciting.

“It was definitely cold, colder than I expected, but the whole experience was not as bad as I thought it would be. I dived in and put my head under for a second time and it was just as cold as the first time.

“I would definitely do it again, I might try and convince my family back in Denmark that we should do it there. Weather-wise, it was a similar temperature in Denmark, but I think the water would be a little bit warmer because it’s not the Atlantic Ocean.”

Saorla Kelly was back from Australia for Christmas and took part in the swim with her family and friends, telling The Echo: “I do it every year, although the last two years have been much warmer as I have done the Christmas swim in Bali and Tasmania.

“This year it was absolutely freezing, I couldn’t feel my toes! It felt even colder than previous years, as I’ve become accustomed to warmer water.”

The following day, people were out and about in Carrigaline for another Irish tradition — the Wren Boys.

Organiser Barry Cogan said that the tradition has been going on for nearly 40 years in Carrigaline “and it’s still the same crowd who do it, only now we have three generations of families.

“We have a stage and the whole main street is closed off for the Wren Boys Street Festival, so it’s a big deal.”

Musicians and Irish dancers perform, and the public all dance along, he said, adding that people who are back from America for Christmas consider the event their highlight of the festive season.

“When we started it first we were in drab disguises, but over the years we’ve collected about 80 costumes, headgear of all colours, shapes, and sizes — every year we add a little bit more.

“We had 60 or 70 taking part today, and we collect money for Marymount Hospice and for Cork Simon, but really it’s all about having fun and bringing the community together.”