Longford Community Christmas party this weekend

On Sunday, December 15 the Ballinamuck Community Christmas Party will be taking place in the ‘98 hall from 2 - 6 pm.

Fiona O’Toole is one of the organisers of the event. She was kind enough to talk to the Longford Leader about the upcoming celebration.

“It is geared toward older people,” explains Fiona however it is open to the whole community and over the last few years has seen plenty of younger people coming to celebrate.

Also Read: Longford's Kids court recieves national award

“They come in and have a few drinks and then we put on a meal for them, a hot cooked meal.

“It’s a three-course meal and then there’s local musicians in the evening,” she says.

The party has always seen a massive turnout.

“We probably have around 50 to 60 maybe.

Also Read: Longford authors have a host of books to offer this Christmas

“We do little spot prizes, we do little hamper prizes and we give them a little lottery ticket each.”

The Party has been going on for over 40 years, Fiona even remembers being involved in the party as a child.

She got back into the party a few years ago.

“They were looking for help and Daddy helped out anyway so we just got involved that way.

Also Read: PICTURES| Granard Christmas Lights light up the streets with Christmas cheer

“So there’s a group, it’s not a big group of us it’s not a big group there’s probably eight of us all together.

“It’s great for the older generation, they come and they get together and we take them all out and we have a dance with them.”

Christmas can be a lonely time for the older people in Ireland. Perhaps their loved ones have moved away or they have passed on.

“They all seem to enjoy it and they probably struggle with loneliness,” says Fiona.

Also Read: Hundreds in Longford without power after Storm Darragh

The Community Christmas Party Group even tried to bring a bit of Christmas cheer to the attendees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“During Covid, we sent them all Christmas cards with lottery tickets inside just to keep in touch with them.”

“A few younger people come in the evening time when the music starts, and they’ll go around and chat to them and take them out for a dance, or they’’ help themselves with drinks and stuff.

“We’d go around and we talk to them all and those that can dance we’d take them out and have a dance.

Also Read: Longford Gardaí on hunt for owner of lost iPhone

“Some get up and dance and some don’t but at the end of the day everyone that’s able to get out, we join a circle and do a Christmas song with them,” Fiona added.

The event is fundraised throughout the year, they receive lots of donations and fundraise through a church collection each year.

The event is completely free of charge.