Memory of Jim Lynch to be celebrated at launch of 2022 Christmas Annual
Former Letterkenny Town Councillor had been editor of annual publication for a long number of years
It will be an evening blessed with nostalgia and more than a little sadness when the launch takes place on Thursday evening next of the 41st edition of the Letterkenny and District Christmas Annual.
The launch will take place in the Station House Hotel at 9pm as part of an evening celebrating the contribution of the late Jim Lynch to the Letterkenny community.
First launched in 1982 as a fundraiser for the Community Centre, the Christmas Annual has become a seasonal tradition for the people of the town as it arrives every year to bring joy to many households over the festive season.
Sadly, back in September, Jim Lynch, the long-time editor of the Annual, passed away after a brief illness.
“Jim was editor since 1984, at the helm of 37 editions of the Annual,” explained Liam O’Donnell, Manager of the Community Centre.
“He was such an integral part of putting the Annual together each year and with the shock of his passing in late September, we weren’t sure if we could go ahead or not.
The cover of the 2022 Letterkenny Christmas Annual
Stepping in as editor for the 2022 Annual is Kieran Kelly, a primary school teacher and author of two local history books on the town.
“It’s very daunting to be sure,” Kieran says, “I mean, how do you replace Alex Ferguson? I guess that must make me David Moyes!
“But yes, as Liam says, we had to do it for Jim. He was such an important part of the Letterkenny community over the years, being involved in several local groups and this Annual was very important to him.
Kieran Kelly
As usual, the Annual is filled with articles and photos of Letterkenny and the wider district with over 35 contributors of stories, poems and memories and many more who sent in photos of the changing town over the years.
“We have a great selection of articles this year,” says Kieran, “ranging from memories of growing up in the town to celebrations of milestone anniversaries of local institutions such as the Athletic Club, St. Eunan’s GAA club, the Credit Union and the Donegal Hospice. And of course we have lovely articles of tribute to Jim himself and to Jimmy Dillon, another popular local man who sadly passed away this year.”
The cover this year, designed once again by the talented Emma McConnell, shows the beautiful Celtic Cross at Cathedral Square covered in snow with Sentry Hill in the background, a fitting cover given that Jim was proud to be from that area.
“We wanted it to be out in time for the last postage dates to America and beyond,” Kieran states, “but we just weren’t able to do that. I hope that the people of Letterkenny can forgive us but sadly circumstances dictated otherwise this year. We are just delighted that we managed to get it out.”
Liam points out that the Annual will be in the shops ahead of the official launch on Thursday night but he encourages people to come along to the Station House Hotel for a celebration of Jim, and in particular his contribution to the Christmas Annual over the years.
“We will have a few guest speakers sharing memories of Jim over the years and their appreciation of what the Annual means to them. We will have tea and biscuits from 9.45pm and we hope to see as many Townies out as possible to ring in the Christmas season together.”
The Christmas Annual will be officially launched on Thursday, December 15 in the Station House Hotel at 9pm (following the Letterkenny Rovers Bingo) and will be available in local shops priced €15.