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THE TAOISEACH WAS among scores of brave swimmers who enjoyed a bracing start to Christmas Day with a dip in the sea.
Leo Varadkar, accompanied by his partner Matthew Barrett, was smiling as he emerged from the sea at the Forty Foot diving spot at Sandycove in Dublin.
He said it was a nice way to start the day, adding that he planned to visit some of the public sector staff working on Christmas Day in hospitals and fire stations later in the day.
While Varadkar said it was his third time enjoying a seasonal dip, others taking to the sea in both Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic were more frequent regulars.
There was a steady stream of people at the Forty Foot throughout the morning, as well as in dozens of other annual festive swims around the country.
Across the border in Donaghadee, Co Down, a group who swim every day of the year, assembled on the slipway at 10.30am.
With the water temperature measuring a fresh 8.5C, there were shrieks and chuckles as dozens entered the water.
Martin Strain, from the Donaghadee Chunky Dunkers, said the seasonal swim was one of 12 sponsored dips raising money for charity.
“We go in every day, 365 days of the year, unless it’s not safe,” he said.
“There’s a buzz about this time of year, this is part of our 12 swims of Christmas, so we build up to this and then it goes right to New Year’s Day, which is the final of our 12 sponsored swims for charity.”
Strain said he has found daily sea swims to be beneficial for both his physical and mental health.
“It’s such an empowering thing, such a liberating thing, it’s life-affirming. It really has changed a lot of people’s lives through their mental health,” he said.
“Personally, I struggled with really bad mental health issues for a very long time and, whilst this hasn’t been a panacea, it has certainly helped my mental health.”
Netflix is the biz! Google “unblock” and use this to change the IP address whilst watching Netflix on your browser and you get the American version which has way more content. Simples!
Not only the U.S one.. Check out Sweden/Norway one as their licensing laws are completely different.. They have loads of gems on there.. UnblockUS is the shizzle..
Good Man Patrick
Xbmc
Lads im finding it very hard to unblock.can someone explain in detail.
I’m sure there is a step by step guide on the site stephen..
Their library is very limited. A friend summed it up best by saying “It’s full of stuff you wouldn’t even rent”
I presume you are referring to the Irish / UK Library which is extremely limited. I typically use the US / Canada library. A lot of movies just coming to Sky On Demand are already in there. It could be better I admit but I still find a hidden gem to watch,
I find the UK/Ireland service better for movies and the US service better for TV shows..
One wonders about TV licence
It’ll be renamed a media licence, which every house will no doubt have to pay. TV or not
I expect you’re right Stephen. Question then is… what’s the justification behind the licence fee monies going to rte if most people are now using other media to access content produced elsewhere?
It won’t make any difference it’s still rubbish
Netflix the business.so much content for 7 € a month
Pay for this or download for free?
App is free, you pay for the service. And well worth it it’s is too! (especially if you have access to the US one using a VPN…)
Yes I know you pay for the service and not for the app.
Ill still unashamedly download everything I can for free.
Is is possible to use a VPN on a smart tv? Can’t seem to change the ip address on it so wondering if VPN will work?
You may be able to VPN your network through your router
Nice attitude to life you have there John it’s people like you that ruin the music / movies industry. It’s the smaller labels that suffer in the end.
They make enough money.
Not sure what type of TV you have, but search for US Unblock. They have the details there.
Hi Elizabeth
You can change your DNS settings in your TV setup to that of a IP redirecting service. There are several services out there [unblock-us.com being one I regularly use] .€3 euro a month and I can direct my internet traffic from all or some of my devices to a US IP. I can then gain access to the US content. of Netflix. I can also access some free US on demand services from tv stations.
B
Excuse me good chap, but I am computer illiterate. How do I get the u.s.a netflix. Explain in detail as I am quite high and uneducated sadly. Much appreciated
Oh Brian I wish you were here to do that for me im no good with computers all I know what to do with them is turn them on and watch porn hehe :)
John Murphy free things are always better and ruining the music industry I think you can thank the likes of Simon Cowell for that
Wayne, you must be on drugs!!!
It’s godawful!!!!
Nope, I love it. I don’t have satellite or cable and I very rarely watch the channels I do have because there is so much to watch on Netflix (especially with the US one)
I have an Apple TV, and I love how I am able to start watching a program on that and then continue it on my iPhone/iPad when I travel if I don’t have time to finish it at home.
Your need to change the DNS part of the network settings to those unblock-us needs. They have good how to guides. Details should be in your Smart TV User Guide or just google it.
Most labels make hardly any money John.
Guys thanks for all your responses, I see if I can make any of them work, fingers crossed.
Netflix have us by the balls. Torrent sites getting shut down daily. I lived in the great noughties to 2013! Just like free love of the 70′s… We are a major part of history, yet few realise/ appreciate it
Netflix sucks.
Filmon.tv and alluc.org both are freepence.
Letmewatchthis is great as well
I went on the alluc.org site and the asked for my email address and credit card, is that safe
Try hola app on you smartphone or tab or tap it into your browser unlocks Netflix US
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