The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
North Kerry at Christmas: a time like no other ...
NORTH Kerry captures the essence of what Christmas means to the soul and spirit of people. Family is important at Christmas but so too is a sense of place and attachment to locality and in a rural setting Christmas instils the sort of magic that complements the season as thoughts of home are reinforced with a potency seldom seen at any other time of year.
Christmas in North Kerry is a time when calmness and tranquillity settles on the still fields, quiet roads, and remote hilltops; a time when, as the poet Brendan Kennelly once said: “we celebrate the death of time and the birth of life.”
But even though Christmas is a time when perspectives differ as to how we should embrace it the magic, mystery and enchantment at its core doesn’t change a scintilla. Christmas in North Kerry is a time when villages and towns reflect on the passing of another year in the life of their community; a time when those sadly no longer with us are closest in that sentimental link between heart and mind.
Christmas is a time that demands we observe the true spirit of goodwill and every community and homestead is right now displaying the warm and colourful lights of the season to tame the dark nights of December. Places like Ardfert, Ballyheigue and along the coast road to Ballybunion, Tarbert and Ballylongford are all busy preparing in their own unique way for Christmas, while the aftermath of many’s an exciting Christmas craft fair and Santa visit is still fresh in the minds of children and adults alike.
It’s a special time when bars and restaurants are again full with the faces of those returning home for the holidays; a time when workplace gatherings and social groups hold the all-important end of year party; a time when churches display bespoke versions of the nativity and while each crib may differ in style and creation, the message is the same.
Christmas in North Kerry is a time like no other. A time for friends, family and locality to combine and enjoy all that is wonderful about a season where the miracle of magic is created in each of us…so long as we make time for it, that is.