Islanders’ joy at christenings of three Tory boys

CHRISTMAS will be extra-special for one of Ireland’s remotest communities this year – as residents of Tory Island gather to celebrate the joint christenings of their three youngest inhabitants.

The Irish-speaking outpost is hosting its first-ever triple Baptism tomorrow, just before the Gaeltacht isle’s official Yuletide festivities get under way.

Three baby boys were born within weeks of each other in recent months to separate families on the isolated Co. Donegal outcrop – a highly unusual event for the tiny island, which has seen its population decline dramatically over the past decades to just under 150.

But ‘King of Tory’ Patsy Dan Rodgers said the new arrivals have given islanders great hope that the tight-knit community will continue to thrive into future generations.

‘It’s given a great boost to the island,’ he said.

He also told how the christenings have helped secure the services of a priest, Fr Kieran Creagh, for the parish over the Christmas – something that was far from guaranteed before the trio’s arrival.

Tomorrow evening, the island will receive a visit from Santa, making his regular a pre-Christmas trip to the island by helicopter. ‘That’s always magical but it’s going to be even more magical this time,’ Mr Rodgers said. ‘We have the christenings, we have our priest back and the island has never had as many Christmas lights up.’