For many in Galway, Christmas morning simply is not complete without a trip to Blackrock in Salthill, where hundreds gather to brave the icy waters of Galway Bay and raise funds for COPE Galway.
Now in its 36th year, the COPE Galway Christmas Swim has become one of the city’s most cherished traditions – a festive ritual that combines fun, community spirit, and a powerful purpose.
Many will join the swim from 9am to 1pm on Christmas Day, families, friends, and visitors will take the plunge at the Blackrock Diving Tower, while others will join the event from beaches and lakes across Ireland and beyond as part of the ‘Swim Wherever You Are’ option.
The event draws people of all ages and abilities from seasoned sea swimmers to people taking a dip, some for the first time. Many families and friends who spend Christmas in Galway take part in the swim as part of their Galway Christmas experience. Over the years the event has seen people visiting from the UK, USA, Canada, Australia and beyond joining in.
This Christmas, more than 220 children are spending Christmas in emergency accommodation in Galway. For some, it will be their second or even third Christmas without a home. COPE Galway supports over 3,000 people each year through its homeless, domestic abuse, and senior support services.
Funds raised from the Christmas Swim ensure these essential services are available when people need them most, at Christmas and throughout the year.
Registration is €20 for an adult and €5 for a child. You can sign up as an individual, family, workplace, or school team. If you can’t make it to Salthill, join the swim wherever you are and share your photos online with #BravetheCOLD. Visit copegalway.ie/swim to register, create a team, or donate.
Brave the cold, spread the cheer, and bring hope where it’s needed most.
Caitlín Connolly and Paul Keegan, of Connexions Run Club are ambassadors for the swim and voich for the camaraderie of the event.
“The connection element of the COPE Galway Christmas Swim is what’s really special about it. When you come down to Salthill, particularly Blackrock, anytime of year, you’re guaranteed a chat, a conversation.
“It reminds you of community spirit. It’s a really important time to remind us what Christmas is really about, and the sense of community,” they said.
Galway Bay fm’s Kayte O’Malley is thrileld about making her debut in the water at the swim this year.
“I’ve never taken part in the COPE Galway Christmas Swim so I’m delighted 2025 is going to be my year. I would encourage anyone who is kind of on the fence about taking part in the COPE Galway Christmas Swim – let’s make this year our year!
“It’s definitely going to be chilly, it’s definitely going to be wet, it might be a little bit mucky, but it’s for a great cause. COPE Galway do so much good in our community, and it’s a really good opportunity to support them, raise some badly needed funds for them and of course get together with people in your local area.
“Have a bit of craic, a bit of community and start Christmas with a little bit of giving back which is always nice this time of year,” she added.
Brothers Colm O’Donnellan (O’Donnellan & Joyce Auctioneers ) and Eoin O’Donnellan (UBFit Sports ) say that the swim is a aprt of Galway Christmas.
“It’s something very special to come down here to Salthill on Christmas Day, and meeting old friends that you mightn’t have seen for the last year,” said Colm. “Coming down to the COPE Galway Christmas Swim is really the part of Christmas that I love. The vibrancy when you come down to the COPE Galway Christmas Swim, in the most iconic part of Galway, Blackrock.”
“I do the COPE Galway Christmas Swim because it’s a super local cause and the funds that are raised are vital,” added Eoin. “Come down to the icon, the beacon of swimming, which is Blackrock, to have a good time, meet people and to fundraise and donate.
“It’s just a fantastic, hour, hour and a half of your time on Christmas Day and everyone should really make an effort to be here at the COPE Galway Christmas Swim,” he said.
