Over 50 people came together on Christmas day for Wicklow’s first community Christmas dinner at the Parochial Hall in Wicklow Town. Dinner was cooked by Mystic Celt Chef, Paul Smith and Leitrim Lounge Chef, David Breslin, with plum pudding and mince pies supplied by Michaella’s and Sharon O’Connor. Entertainment was provided by Pat Brennan and the Pedreschi family, with guest singers Robyn Brennan, Lindsey Aherne and Sandra Melia.
A spokesperson for the Wicklow Christmas Together Commttee said “This event was brought about by a collective effort to combat loneliness at Christmas time, which can affect people of any status. We were overwhelmed with the response to this, the first ever Community Christmas Dinner in Wicklow, with almost 50 volunteers recruited within 24 hours. The outpouring of generosity in terms of time, commitment and sponsorship for the event has been staggering. We want to thank everybody who donated time, effort, skills, services, support, as well as food, drinks,prizes, ticket sponsorship and donations.”
The event was a resounding success, thoroughly enjoyed by guests and volunteers alike who came from all walks of life and all ages. “Families, couples, single people, Irish, European and non-European, locals, Senior Citizens, students, children and babies sat down together to enjoy top class food and entertainment. There was even a play area provided for children.”
Special thanks were extended to the Committee and staff of the Parochial Hall, the Leitrim Lounge, Wicklow Court Services, Wicklow Chamber, O’Brien’s Wines, Wicklow Print Solutions, Woodroofe’s Fruit & Veg, McAuley Rice Architechts, Tesco, Supervalu, Wicklow Lions Club, Croi Rath Naoi CDP, Obre Fabrications Ltd, Earls Newsagents, Wings Angel Shop, Eden Beauty Salon, Wardrobe, Stan & Tony’s. More4less, Wicklow Glass, Wicklow Wine Co, Next Door, The Mariner, Ernie’s Bar, Wicklow Cash & Carry, The Bridge Tavern, Fish Man, Wicklow Volunteer Centre, Wicklow Educate Together, Messy Play, the McAuley family, the Shannon family, Just Ask Personalised Creations, The Great Craftsby, Jaconi Crafts, Liz Dunne, Peter Dunne, Teresa Mahon and Jackie Roche,
