Pictures: Kennedy Park residents bring back their traditional Christmas

After a break of a few years, the residents of Kennedy Park in Roscrea brought back their Christmas tradition with the very welcome reinstating of the beautiful Christmas tree which adorns the green.

The event in the past was always a great evening and the welcome return of the event was no different this year and delighted all the local children who met Santa Claus and took part in traditional fun Christmas activities.

The organisers would like to thank Scott Fairbrother of Fairbrother Fuels, who purchased the biggest and fullest tree ever seen in Roscrea and the following Tuesday Paddy Reidys boys from the local CE scheme helped to get the tree up and ready for the event.

Con O'Lone and Davy Monahan decorated the tree with 3,000 lights and helped set up the area for the much anticipated Christmas party.

Santa met all the boys and girls and pictured above is the beautiful tree from Fairbrothers Fuels in Roscrea

Rain on Friday didn't dampen the Christmas spirit as Brigid Feehan and Mary Whelan, both past committee members, turned on the lights and the tree lit up with great cheers as the children were in awe, as were the adults.

There was tea, coffee, biscuits and sweets served in the tent and everyone was very excitied for the arrival of Santa.

At 7.30pm the wait was over and the local Gardaí came into the estate with lights flashing and sirens blaring to announce Santa was on his way and the children screamed with delight and could barely contain their excitment.

Roscrea's Community Gardaí gave Santa a very special Christmas escort to Kennedy Park

When Santa arrived he was greeted with hugs and cheers from all the delighted children and each child visited Santa and each received a selection box, told Santa how good they were and he politely asked that they would leave treats on Christmas Eve to nourish him and all his reindeers as they make their epic journey around the world for all the boys and girls.

“The event would never have happened without the help of a few people and we would like to thank them all - Mark Dywer NTDC, Joan Shannahan (How ya Bean), Corville National School, the Simmons Boys Simon Jason and Eddie for the Music, Ger O'Meara for the Gazebo, Roscrea's Community Guards Kate and Aine and Inspector and Regina Simmons for the use of power,” the organisers said.

“The Residents Committee would like to wish all residents near and far a very happy Christmas and a peaceful and healthy and happy New Year”.

Santa Claus made a very special trip to Kennedy Park in Roscrea last week and met all the children from the estate to find out what they would love to find under the Christmas tree on December 25th