Kenagh Christmas tree lights switched on

Santa Claus made his way to the lighting up ceremony in a Garda car.

“There was a great turnout for the event,” Olive McKeogh of Kenagh Tidy Towns said of the event.

She added, “It was a cold night, but that did not dampen people's spirits. We easily had a couple of hundred people who came along to be part of the occasion.”

The preparations for the official lighting up of the town was a real community effort.

“The tree was donated by the Armstrong Family. They have been making that donation for a number of years.

“Charlie Harrison from Kenagh District Development Association collects the tree and along with the community employment scheme participants puts the lights on.

“It's a community effort. The members of KDDA and the local Tidy Towns make the mulled wine and prepare treats for the children. We raffled a hamper on the night to cover the costs,” explained Olive.

This was the first winter community gathering for quite some time.

Olive concluded, “There was a lovely atmosphere. We had a great turnout. It has been a couple of years since we were able to have such a community gathering. Last year it took place virtually. Paddy Egan said a little poem about the year and Helen Barry Kilmurry sang some beautiful festive songs.”