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
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Go!!!
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The swans staying well clear of the madness!
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Conveyor belt...
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Help!
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The crowd
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To a casual onlooker you would imagine that the population of Castlebar has lost their minds.
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Wide angle view
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Man levitating above the lake...
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Queue for disaster
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Cheerio!
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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.
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Ex town councillor takes to the water.
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