Yuletide outside

Phew! It's over or just about - the mad rushing around for last-minute gifts, the festive drinks with friends home from faraway places, the family frenzy of who's coming to whom, who's cooking the turkey or not cooking the turkey, the packing of presents and leaving food out for Santa. With only hours left to count down to Christmas Day, your planned-for Christmas can now roll into action. Apart from tucking into the almost mandatory large meal, popping into a church to celebrate the arrival of that eponymous baby or lounging in front of the television for hours on end, it can be especially nice to do something just a little bit outside the regular rituals over the holidays. Here are a few ideas.

Take a dip in the ocean:

There are those among us whose constitutions allow such a crazy idea to become a reality. If you are one of these individuals, go right ahead and join others in Dublin Bay tomorrow (regular spots include the Forty Foot at Sandycove and the Clontarf Baths). Those west of the Shannon can test the temperature of the Atlantic Ocean in Galway Bay. Some hardy swimmers have also been known to take a dip in the Shannon itself or even the Grand Canal in Dublin on Christmas Day. Meanwhile, the rest of us would be doing well even to get as far as the seashore over the next few days. But many of the beaches along the Irish coastline are romantic places to spend time over the Christmas break.

Join the local Wren Boys' hunt:

The biggest and most dramatic enactments of this December 26th tradition take place in Dingle, Co Kerry and on Sandymount Green, Dublin. The former begins at about 1 p.m. on the streets of this colourful village with characters dressed in straw suits and playing fifes and drums. Local rivalries come to the fore as residents from different streets display their loyalties. The fun continues in the pubs until the wee hours. Meanwhile, in Sandymount, poets, politicians and pedlars join in the celebrations from 12 onwards. Members of the public are welcome to join in the pageantry, but dressing up is a requirement.

Go to the races:

An absolutely essential part of some people's Christmas, getting dressed up to go to the races can be a great novelty for others. Leopardstown meetings, which are the busiest of the season, begin on St Stephen's Day with the first race at 12.25 p.m. Gates open at 9.30 a.m. with breakfast served from 10.30 a.m. in a bid to get the punters in early. Racing begins at 12.25 p.m. on December 27th and 28th, with the first race at 12.45 p.m. on December 29th. Meanwhile, the annual one-day race meeting in Down Royal, Co Down also goes ahead on St Stephen's Day, with the first race at 1 p.m. The annual festive season Limerick Races run from December 26th-29th, with races at 1.05 p.m., 12.30 p.m., 12.45 p.m. and 1.05 p.m.

Head for the hills:

Go tobogganing, hill walking, rock climbing, mountain-biking or simply strolling. Whatever your pace or mood, the hills are always waiting to embrace your spirit, enliven your mind and exercise your body. Be sure to wear boots and clothing appropriate to the weather and check the forecast before heading out on any long hikes. Serious hillwalkers can contact Go Ireland for details of their Walk Off The Turkey New Year Walking Festival in and around Killorglin, Co Kerry from December 29th-January 1st. Tel: 066-62094. The West of Ireland Cardiology Association, Croi, is also walking off the turkey in a sponsored walk which leaves from the Annaghdown Community Centre, Annaghdown, Co Galway at 1 p.m. on St Stephen's Day. Elsewhere in Co Galway, the Connemara Walking and Cycling Centre is hosting a New Year walking festival from December 21st to January 3rd. Tel: 095-21379 for details.

Go birdwatching:

Always keen to have new members or even a dilettante following, Birdwatch Ireland has organised some outings over the Christmas period. The first is on Monday, December 28th to the Swords estuary, leaving from the Harp bar, North Road, Swords at 10.30 a.m. Here, birdwatchers have a chance to see some of the wetlands wildfowl including wigeons, shellduck, teal, golder plover and curlew. Then, on New Year's Day, a group of birdwatchers is meeting in the carpark of Newbridge Demense, Donabate, Co Dublin at 11 a.m. Treecreepers, goldcrest, longtailed tits, redwing fieldfare and mistletrush are among the species to be spotted in the woodlands there.