There was a larger than normal turn out for this year's annual Lough Lannagh Christmas Day Swim.  For some this is a religious experience. A way of cleaning their souls - the same as the cleansing swim in the River Ganges - only difference being the temperature of the water.

This was the first man in....Ready Steady

Go!!!

The swans staying well clear of the madness!

Conveyor belt...

Help!

The crowd

To a casual onlooker you would imagine that the population of Castlebar has lost their minds.

Wide angle view

Man levitating above the lake...

Queue for disaster

Cheerio!

If you were ever wondering what to wear when and if you're going for a mid-winter swim in an ice cold lake - well a pair of red speedo togs is about as wrong as you can go.

Ex town councillor takes to the water.