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Tag: New Year’s Day

Taking the plunge at the Shamrock Shiver

Taking the plunge at the Shamrock Shiver

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Featured.

BRADENTON BEACH – The spirit of altruism won out over the cold Gulf waters as dozens of participants took the plunge in the annual Clancy’s Irish Pub’s Shamrock Shiver charity event on New Years Day.

The participants, many in costumes, gathered donation pledges to jump into the 67-degree water at Coquina Beach to raise funds for local charities.

Taking the plunge at the Shamrock Shiver
Into the 67-degree Gulf water the plunger went. – Leslie Lake | Sun

Since 2009, Clancy’s annual charity plunge has raised $470,567 for local non-profit organizations. In recent years, the event has raised more than $30,000 each year.

“We at Clancy’s are committed to keeping the ‘Give Where You Live’ spirit alive by supporting local causes, empowering our community and making a lasting impact right where we call home,” the Clancy’s website stated. 

Taking the plunge at the Shamrock Shiver
Costumed participants at the Clancy’s Shamrock Shiver pose before the plunge. – Leslie Lake. | Sun

The proceeds from this year’s event will benefit Healthy Teens Inc., The Blessing Bags Project and Hungers End – three non-profit organizations that help disadvantaged children in Manatee and Sarasota Counties.

Healthy Teens’ stated mission is dedication to empowering youth to make positive, healthy decisions for their success and wellbeing.

“We provide them with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed choices about their physical, mental and emotional health. We do this primarily through the Teen Health Educator Program, training high school students to become peer-educators and mentors serving at-risk youth in their community,” the Healthy Teens website states.

The Blessing Bags Project provides basic, critical needs to the homeless and less fortunate.

Hunger’s End operates a food pantry and blessing closet serving 500-600 families each month. Hunger’s End also partners with other organizations to provide free groceries, clothing and personal hygiene products to those in need. 

Taking the plunge at the Shamrock Shiver
After-party attendees perused more than 60 silent auction items. – Leslie Lake | Sun

Following the plunge, an after-party at Clancy’s on Cortez Road featured live music, live and silent auctions and raffles. Those proceeds also benefited the three non-profit organizations. 

Taking the plunge at the Shamrock Shiver
the Shamrock Shiver after-party featured The Dr. Dave Band. – Leslie Lake | Sun

As of Jan. 2, the 2026 fundraising total had not yet been posted at the Clancy’s Shamrock Shiver website.

Participants in Clancy’s Shamrock Shiver charity event run into the chilly Gulf on New Year’s Day. - Leslie Lake | Sun

Participants in Clancy’s Shamrock Shiver charity event run into the chilly Gulf on New Year’s Day. - Leslie Lake | Sun

The folks plunged into 2026. - Leslie

The folks plunged into 2026. - Leslie

A flock of flamingo-themed ladies made the plunge. - Leslie Lake | Sun

A flock of flamingo-themed ladies made the plunge. - Leslie Lake | Sun

Participants in Clancy’s Shamrock Shiver charity event come out of chilly Gulf waters. - Leslie Lake | Sun

Participants in Clancy’s Shamrock Shiver charity event come out of chilly Gulf waters. - Leslie Lake | Sun

The Shamrock Shiver participants gathered at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach. - Leslie Lake | Sun

The Shamrock Shiver participants gathered at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach. - Leslie Lake | Sun

After making the plunge, Brady joined the after-party at Clancy’s. - Leslie Lake | Sun

After making the plunge, Brady joined the after-party at Clancy’s. - Leslie Lake | Sun

A list of auction items was posted at Clancy’s during the after-party. - Leslie Lake | Sun

A list of auction items was posted at Clancy’s during the after-party. - Leslie Lake | Sun

Shamrock Shiver is a New Year’s tradition

Shamrock Shiver a New Year’s tradition

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – A large crowd gathered between Seventh Street and 10th Street on Jan. 1 for what’s become a New Year’s Day tradition, The Shamrock Shiver Charity Plunge.

Shamrock Shiver is a New Year’s tradition
Ruth Ann and Barry Hopkins not only took the plunge, but were also winners of the best costume contest at the 2022 Shamrock Shiver Charity Plunge. – Jason Schaffer | Sun

Participants dressed in their most festive attire and jumped into the Gulf of Mexico for a great cause. The water was around 70 degrees, not nearly as cold as some years, to the delight of participants.

The event, sponsored by Clancy’s Irish Pub and Grill, is in its 14th year and has raised more than $306,000 to date. This year’s goal was $40,000, and organizers think that goal is attainable. 

“Customers could fill out a paper and make a donation through Clancy’s, or just come out here and make a donation,” said Danny Moore, a Clancy’s employee who used his megaphone to move the crowd from land to sea at the stroke of noon. “Employees, loyal customers and anybody else in the community who wanted to come out were more than welcome.” 

Shamrock Shiver is a New Year’s tradition
Paul Devine shows off his love for sea turtles at the 2022 Shamrock Shiver Charity Plunge. – Jason Schaffer | Sun

The proceeds from the Shamrock Shiver will benefit The Blessing Bags Project, Feeding Empty Little Tummies, Healthy Teens Coalition of Manatee County Inc. and Nutrition Initiative. All of the organizations are 501(c)(3) nonprofits. 

“We do this every year, we love it,” said Ruth Ann Hopkins, dressed as the Statue of Liberty, who along with her husband, Barry, dressed as Uncle Sam, were winners of best costume.

A post-plunge party took place at Clancy’s on Cortez Road following the festivities on the beach. The Dr. Dave Band performed and more money was raised through raffle tickets, a silent auction and live auction.