‘To think of the people we miss at Christmas is just really such a beautiful idea’ – Andrea
SINGER Andrea Corr has already had a trial run when it comes to cooking Christmas dinner for a group.
“I had a little practice the other day because we had friends over from America for Thanksgiving,” she said.
But she added it was for a lot fewer people, just eight instead of the 19 she will be hosting on Christmas Day.
“It’s just great to have the family around and all have a laugh. Having our cousins together will be great,” she said.
The Dundalk, Co Louth, native was on hand yesterday for the launch of the annual ‘Light Up A Life’ event at Our Lady’s Hospice and Care Services in Harold’s Cross.
It’s the most important fundraiser for the Dublin-based hospice, and thousands attended the annual remembrance celebration.
Last year, 28,000 lights were sponsored on the Christmas tree, one of the city’s largest, raising €450,000.
She met patients before performing for the crowd and switching the lights on the Christmas tree.
“I just think this recognition of people, to think of people that we miss and have moved on, is just really such a beautiful idea. I feel really privileged to be here and to meet these people,” she told the Irish Independent.
The singer experienced the heartbreaking loss of her mother Jean, who passed away in 1999, and her dad Gerry, who died in 2015, and thinks the ‘Light Up A Life’ initiative is a great idea.
“My dad used to say that Christmas is actually a time of absences, when you are aware of absences, and the chair that’s empty around the Christmas table.
“This is life, this is part of it. “So I think Christmas particularly is hard. My mum died on November 24, 20 years ago.”
Andrea paid tribute to the work of the hospice, and highlighted the importance of the event as a fundraiser as it celebrated its 140th anniversary of providing care in the community.
“The more comfortable and the more dignified we can make this really special time in people’s lives – we can’t do enough to do that,” she said.
Ian Dempsey led the celebrations for the ninth year as master of ceremonies yesterday.
‘Ihada little practise the other day as we had friends over’