Childrens Christmas Party The Arranmore Way

The weekend before the Christmas holidays, I went to the Christmas party for the kids at Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh. I started a kids Christmas party, 19 years ago, with Margaret Baoille, Mary, Anne and Bernadette Boyle because I wanted Elaina to see Santa and the only ones who had a party then was the senior citizens. Angela donated a gift from Alaska that couldn’t be found in Ireland at the time, its still on the go.

We raised enough money in the first year to have another party the following year. That tradition has continued as various Moms have managed the party down through the years and the money is still a year ahead.

It is so much more professional now with John Greene the DJ and a beautiful grotto by the Begleys, the list of children printed so they know when their turn is to see the man himself and great gifts for the children and the donations for the raffles. I met Mary Frances there, she came from Leitrim to spend time with her family and friends and for her boys to meet Santa and play with their cousins. The youngest baby there was Ruby, Margaret’s granddaughter, the Arranmore way is alive and well.     

By Shirley Gallagher