A normal Christmas at last

The spirit of Christmas was very much in evidence in Nenagh this festive season with hundreds of free dinners distributed from the town all over North Tipperary and huge numbers taking part in numerous events to raise funds for local charities and worthy causes.

Martin Morris, the proprietor of the Hibernian Inn in Pearse Street, kindly donated the kitchen of his restaurant on Christmas Day for the preparation of 250 dinners that were transported to homes throughout the north of the county.

Members of his staff, led by chef Declan Bourke, gave up most of their day to prepare the meals that were transported to homes within a twenty mile radius by a dedicated team of drivers.

Chief organiser Sandra Farrell thanked the entire team for their generosity of spirit, especially Chef Bourke, and the other main oranisers, Dee O' Brien and Danielle Morrissey.

“We had so many meals to deliver that the team were actually getting out a dinner every nine seconds,” Ms Farrell revealed.

Elsewhere, hundreds turned up for both the annual Christmas Charity Swim at Youghal Quay and the Christmas Day Run in aid of Nenagh Day Care Centre.

Despite a forecast of rain there were blue skies for most of Christmas morning. Warnings of near zero water temperatures in Lough Derg failed to turn off crowds of brave bathers or the large numbers of spectators who showed up to support the annual swim at the quay near Newtown.

Funds generated from the swim are being totted up as we go to press, but the beneficiaries this year, which includes the local hospice movement, are sure to receive generous donations on the cheque presentation night early next month.