Nenagh Christmas Tree Festival 2025

Supporting Suaimhneas Cancer Support Centre

Can you believe this is the 10th anniversary of our Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary’s Church of Ireland in Nenagh?

Can we believe it?

You might be interested in the charity partners we have supported over the years: Guide Dogs for the Blind; Áras Folláin, Tyone, Nenagh; St Cronan’s Association (Nenagh Branch); Focus Ireland; CARMHA (local counselling service); Silver Arch; Nenagh Community Food Bank and Mírmeara Autism Class Kildangan NS, Puckane.

Our charity partner this year is North Tipperary Hospice/Suaimhneas (which means tranquillity/peace). Founded over 40 years ago, the primary aim of the organisation was to provide end of life care for cancer patients who wished to spend their final weeks or days among family and friends in their own homes. This involved the provision of hospice beds and ancillary equipment with appropriate nursing care to almost 2,000 families until this function was taken over by the HSE roughly two years ago. All such services were funded solely by voluntary donations and provided free of charge to patients on a totally confidential basis.

Approximately 15 years ago it became apparent that, in many cases, an earlier intervention in the cancer journey was warranted and to meet this need Cancer Support Centres were established in Thurles (Suir Haven) and Nenagh (Suaimhneas). In keeping with its established ethos these services were and continue to be provided confidentially and free of charge to cancer patients and their families.

Our centre at Suaimhneas provides a broad range of complementary services in a safe and welcoming environment including counselling, reflexology, massage, chiropody and prosthesis fitting in an individual, one-to-one setting. I

n addition, group services include Art Therapy, Mindfulness, Yoga and Bereavement Support, among others. Supports are also available for children aged 6-12 years under the CLIMB programme.

Whether you are a patient, a caregiver or a loved one, you are welcome to call and avail of the broad range of supports available. Suaimhneas opening hours are 12-7pm on Mondays and 10am-2pm Tuesday to Friday so drop in or call us at 067-37403.

And don’t forget the important dates for the Christmas Tree Festival are: Wednesday - Sunday, December 10-14, with exhibits brought in on December 6 or 8. Contact nenaghchristmastrees@gmail.com to submit information on your tree.

Times are: Wednesday to Friday, 1pm to 5.30pm, with pre-booking for school groups in the mornings, using the above or email address to submit booking, Saturday, 11am to 6pm, followed by the Carol Service, Sunday 11am to 6pm, followed by a short closing ceremony to announce Christmas Tree Prize winners and raffle prizes.