Kind-hearted duo welcome two new arrivals to their wooden reindeer herd!

TWO new wooden reindeer are joining the herd which are being put together for charity by two talented local craftsmen.

Mark Ryan, who is now 13, has once again teamed up with neighbour and friend Jack Byrnes in O’Brien’s Bridge.

This is the sixth year in-a-row the pair have put their skills to good use - the proceeds from sales of the reindeer will go to very good local causes.

This year, Killaloe First Responders are to benefit, alongside Killaloe-Ballina Search and Recovery plus homelessness charity Novas.

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On top of this, Jack and Mark hope to donate some money to the renovation of neighbouring Montpelier’s church and their local community group in O’Brien’s Bridge itself.

In the last few years, their reindeer family has grown.

In their first year, solo reindeer were produced.

Following this, a mother deer was introduced, followed by a little baby girl deer.

Now, a boy reindeer has joined the family!

Jack said it’s important to continue to “diversify” the collection.

He said: “We needed new markets as people won’t buy the same reindeer a second time. They are good quality, so there is no need to really.”

“I like to add something new each year, which is what we have done since we started six years ago. We started with one reindeer, then we had a mum and a teenager. That graduated to a mum, dad and it went from there to father, mother and baby. Now we have a second baby,” Jack laughed.

Mark moved into his teenage years in the last 12 months, and he has become more skilled still at carving the reindeer.

“He has moved on an awful lot of in 12 months. He is able to make the reindeer himself. He wants to be a carpenter. It’s his first year in secondary school, he loves carpentry. He is doing great work,” reports Jack.

The duo are expecting to make more than 200 reindeer this Christmas, based on the enquiries they have had.

This will raise more than €2,500 for charity.

Remarkably, Mark has consistently refused to accept a red cent for his handiwork.

The duo began making wooden reindeer, with Jack a friend of the Ryan family, and a childminder to both Mark, and his elder brother, Sean, now 15.

Mark’s talents are not just confined to the woodwork shed.

A gifted badminton player, he won an All-Ireland under 13 title last year.

He also pulled on the green jersey and represented Ireland at a tournament in Sweden.

“Mark is a great young fella. He is still playing badminton, he is still training very hard,” explained Jack.

Dad reindeer are available for €25, Mum reindeer retail for €20, while a boy and girl are on sale for €15 each.

A family combination can be bought for €50, while a boy and girl together is €25.

For further information call Jack on 087-9225733.