Ladybirds staff Nicole Gleeson, Katelin Carty and Cerrie Browne with children of Ladybirds launching the magical Christmas Fair which will take place at Ladybirds on Wednesday evening December 11 at 6.30 with proceeds to Focus Ireland. Photograph: Bridget Delaney

Nenagh Ladybirds Focus on Christmas fair

Published: Mon 9 Dec 2019, 8:00 AM

Christmas is coming for the kids at Nenagh's Ladybirds childcare centre and they're going to begin the festivities with a fundraising fair for Focus Ireland.

All are welcome to the Carrig Rua centre next Wednesday evening, December 11th, when the kids and staff will have the fruits of several weeks of enjoyable labour on display. The after-school group, which consists of pupils aged from 5 to 11 from schools all over the Nenagh area, have made a marvellous assortment of novel stocking-fillers. These include miniature Santa sleighs filled with chocolate, reindeer food for Rudolph and Christmas decorations, cards, magnets logs and wreaths.

The pre-school group, with kids from as young as a year old to 4, have been busy in the kitchen at Ladybirds making treats for everyone to enjoy at the fair. There will even be mulled wine and mince pies for the adults.

There will also be a raffle with some fantastic prizes up for grabs on the evening. Ladybirds would like to thank all the local businesses that have contributed to the raffle, including Hanlon's butchers, Clare St Pharmacy, the Hibernian Inn, The Wine Buff, Slattery's, Elegance hair & beauty, Ryan's pharmacy, Denis' Meats; Kenyon St Market and Guerin's Pharmacy. They are hopeful of having further contributions for the fair this week.

Previously located at Millersbrook and moving to their new state-of-the-art home at Carrig Rua in 2015, Ladybirds have always held a concert or pageant to celebrate Christmas. This year, however, they decided to hold a Yuletide fair in aid of Focus Ireland, the national charity that helps people facing homelessness, and which is this Christmas placing a particular emphasis on children in need.

The kids at Ladybirds have learned something of what life must be like for those less fortunate than themselves, and they hope that their fair will raise awareness of the work of Focus Ireland and the message of giving at Christmas.

Come to the fair at Ladybirds in Carrig Rua (the estate behind Foley's Spar on Gortlandroe) next Wednesday between 6pm and 8pm.