MORE than 300 people took the plunge yesterday as part of the 90th annual Liffey Swim in Dublin.

The event, which is organised by Swim Ireland Leinster and sponsored by Dublin City Council, saw 237 men and 114 women swim the 2.2km course from Watling Street Bridge near the Guinness Brewery to Customs House Quay.

Proceedings got underway when Lord Mayor Gerry Breen fired the starting pistol for the men's event at 1.30pm followed by the ladies' swim 45 minutes later.

All competitors in the event had to complete four of Swim Ireland's open water competitions in order to qualify for the historic river swim.