The Edge enjoys New Year's Day supporting annual Achill RNLI swim

U2 guitarist, The Edge was among hundreds of hardy souls who made their way to Dugort Strand on Achill Island to support the swimmers who braved the icy waters for the annual Achill RNLI New Year swim.

The veteran rocker and lead guitarist with the Irish rock band U2 was on holiday in Achill for New Year's Eve when he went to the Blue Flag beach in Dugort to support Achill RNLI's annual fundraising event.

While The Edge did not strip down to his togs and take a dip in the Atlantic waters, there were plenty of willing volunteers who did just that and took a dive into the waters on New Year's Day.

While the rain stayed off just in time for the swimmers to make the run into the cold waters, it was not long before the majority were back on land trying to warm up and making their way to the nearby Strand Hotel for some complimentary hot drinks.

Many were left starstruck when they noticed The Edge among their company in the Strand and they were delighted when he obliged many with 'selfies' and signed autographs.

The New Year’s Day swim in a fundraiser for the Achill Island lifeboat whose crew were on standby all over the Christmas and throughout the year to ensure lives are not lost at sea.

They thanked everyone who took part and said the presence of the Irish rocker made it a very happy new year for many fans of U2.

“A further edge was added to our day with the welcome attendance of the lead guitarist, singer and songwriter with the world renowned U2 rock band,” Achill RNLI wrote on its Facebook site.

“The Edge on holiday in Achill came out to support our Lifeboat and surprise many people who met him at the beach and at the nearby Strand Hotel where many of our swimmers enjoyed the usual warmth and hospitality apres swim. We are grateful to so many other people who contributed so much to the success of the day.

“Lastly to the huge numbers of swimmers, young and not do young, who make the day possible and contribute so generously with their families and supporters to our Achill Island Lifeboat which depends entirely on the voluntary contributions of the community to support our volunteer crew in their work in #SavingLivesAtSea. Thank you, we will do it all again next year,” they wrote.

As well as taking in the New Year's Day swim, The Edge sampled a number of the delights of Achill and popped into Gielty's Bar and Restaurant in Dooagh for some homecooked food  while on the way to Keem Bay.

Achill Island is a favourite destination of other members of U2 with Bono and drummer Larry Mullen visiting the island on a number of occasions.