Forty Foot Swimming Hole

A natural saltwater swimming hole cut into the rocks below Joyce's Tower at Sandycove, in continuous use for over 200 years. It was formally men-only until the 1970s (women swam at Sandycove Beach, just around the headland), but it's been open to everyone since.

The water is clear and deep — you jump or climb down via metal ladders fixed into the rock. Changing areas and lockers are basic but functional. Year-round swimmers are common; the water temperature sits around 10–15°C depending on season. No lifeguard.

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A story
The name 'Forty Foot' almost certainly doesn't refer to depth — the more likely explanation is that the 40th Regiment of Foot was once quartered in the adjacent Martello tower. The tradition of Christmas Day swims here draws hundreds of people every year, despite the water temperature rarely exceeding 13°C in winter.

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