REVIVING the tradition of the Christmas Day swim at Corbally baths is on the New Year agenda for Limerick Fine Gael Senator Kieran O’Donnell.
He was approached by a group of Limerick winter swimming enthusiasts, “Narwhals” who are looking to revive the Christmas Day swim tradition at Corbally Baths.
This swim was an annual feature on Christmas Day up to 2007.
A campaign is being spearheaded by Limerick Irish Ice Swimming Internationals, John Ryan and Mark Dempsey, who both competed at the Ice Swimming World Championships in Russia last May, with John Ryan winning silver and bronze medals.
There is a move nationally towards the revival of old natural swimming locations like the Corbally baths.
Senator O’Donnell has arranged a number of meetings with Limerick City and County Council officials to discuss the prospect of this Christmas Day swim revival. The local authority has been asked to carry out a feasibility study to examine water quality in the river as well as the extent of restoration works that would be needed to be carried out at the Corbally baths.
“This Christmas Day winter swim revival call has once again sparked interest in the prospect of looking at the restoration of the Corbally baths area itself as an enhanced amenity.
“Clearly, before anything is considered around the restoration of the Corbally baths itself, consultation with local residents on the Mill road and community groups must be the first priority,” Senator O’Donnell explained.
