Nenagh couple Patricia and Pat Ahern presenting a cheque for €3,655 to North Tipperary Hospice Movement, which is proceeds of the Christmas lights fundraiser at their residence in December 2025. From left: Kay O’Donoghue, Fionuala Gill, Patricia & Pat Ahern, Joannes Berkery and Paddy Heffernan (chairperson). Photo: Bridget Delaney

Aherns’ best ever fundraiser

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Nenagh's Ahern family have celebrated their best fundraiser yet, with their 2025 Christmas lights display raising a total of €3,655 for North Tipperary Hospice Movement.

Every Christmas, Pat and Patricia Ahern deck out their house and garden in Yewston with a wonderful array of lights and decorations. They invite those who to come to visit to leave a small donation for the hospice.

Patricia got the idea from a village she visited in England one Christmas, when her daughter Catherine was undergoing treatment for cancer. Every single house in the village had Christmas lights, and if one resident was unable to provide lights, the others would help out. The festive scene attracted thousands of visitors from all over the country, and they left donations for a local cancer charity.

Something similar has happened with the Aherns, who have welcomed visitors from near and far over the years. They had a new display of lights up last year and were delighted to see people coming to see them and leaving a donation, the total accumulation of which was presented to hospice representatives last week.

Pat and Patricia took the opportunity to thank everyone who supported their most successful fundraiser yet. They particular wanted to thank everyone involved in the switching on of the lights party, including Liam Shinnors, Liam Leamy, Liam Maloney, Nenagh Ormond Brass Band, Damian O’Donoghue, Nora Hogan and Tom Bán. They thanked all of their neighbours and friends involved, and family members, including their granddaughter, international jigsaw champion Emma Quirke, who formally switched on the lights.

Thanks also to the following businesses that contributed prizes to the draw: JKC’s, Ryan’s Pharmacy, Cleary’s Garage, Clare Street Pharmacy, Hanlys Woollen Mills, Philip Mulqueen, Manleys Sweets, Lidl, Tesco, Dunnes Stores, A Sportsman’s Dream and Frances Ryan.

Further thanks to The Nenagh Guardian, Tipp FM, Nenagh Parish Newsletter and Facebook page Nenagh Community News for promoting the event. The Aherns are very much looking forward to holding their Christmas lights fundraiser again next December.

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