Christmas arrives in Abbeyfeale with style

IT was truly a wonderful and magical evening in Abbeyfeale last Friday night as the town came out in force to celebrate the start of the 2019 Christmas season.

The night, which was the result of some incredible work behind-the-scenes over the last weeks by a team of 40+ volunteers, was a huge success as the town welcomed in some very special guests while many of the local groups and services in the town lent their time freely to make the night a memorable one.

First things first though, we’ll start with the guests of honour, Santa and his wife Mrs Claus who, although they’re now into their busiest time of year, took the time to come to the West Limerick town to help them with the hugely important task of switching on the town’s Christmas lights, a task they took to with great glee.

The important task of making sure that Santa arrived into town safely fell to the Abbeyfeale Fire Service and other emergency services, a job they were not going to sleep on as they had their sirens wailing and lights flashing as they entered the town, letting everyone know that Santa was on his way.

Never one to pass up an opportunity, Santa swapped his traditional mode of transport, the sleigh, for a more practical option as he made his way down Main Street towards the Square, arriving in a silver open top convertible car, waving to the cheering crowd as he did. He even took the time to hop out and shake hands with star struck young children on the way.

As the crowds waited, they were treated to heart-warming open air concert by all the talented pupils from Scoil Mháthair Dé in Abbeyfeale who kept spirits high and truly added to the Yuletide atmosphere on the night.

As the lights were turned on in the Square, the town and its new LED lighting looked truly amazing and it’s sure to be a great few weeks in the town as the clock ticks down to Christmas.

Santa Claus was joined by his wife Mrs Claus in Abbeyfeale last Friday night as the West Limerick town marked the start of the Christmas season as it switched on its Christmas lights. All photos by Domnick Walsh.

Carmel Fitzgerald, Jimmy Cahill and Breda O’Grady at the switching on off the Christmas lights in Abbeyfeale on Friday night. RIGHT: Rena, Robbie and Beverly O’Brien enjoying the festive spirit at the switching on of the Christmas lights in Abbeyfeale last Friday night

Margaret McCart, Jasmine Enright, Paddy Enright and Caroline Enright were feeling festive in Abbeyfeale last Friday night as the town’s Christmas lights were switched on.

Eoin Lane with his sister Caoimhe and their friend Lauren O’Sullivan in Abbeyfeale last Friday night for the switching on of the Christmas lights.

Gerard Collins and his wife, Hilary pictured at the switching on of the Christmas lights in Abbeyfeale last Friday night.