More than just trees at Nenagh festival!

The 2022 festival at St Mary’s Church of Ireland in Nenagh will have much more than trees and Christmas exhibits, as usual.

The sales table will be full of all sorts of treasures and not just jams and preserves. We have planned for household items, jewellery, toys and much more, as well as the lucky dip for boys or girls (but we are flexible on what each person might pick). We also will have a selection of prizes for the raffle.

One of our items for sale that you might want for Christmas presents is the ‘Nenagh Union of Parishes St Mary’s National School Recipe Book’, a collection of favourite recipes from the pupils, parents, and parish community. This was published last year but due to Covid hasn’t really had the exposure it deserves for its recipes of everything from soups through special recipes for Christmas. All monies collected will be split between the school and the parish.

The school colouring contest continues with different outline pictures for different school ages from each school that submits entries. Emails will be sent to schools in various locations with an invitation to participate and with dates by which to have mailed in their entries. Winners will be chosen and that will be posted with the winning pictures.

Having a prayer tree is so important for all of us and this will be in the front chancel with the materials to write messages.

And the wonderful teas are back! Being aware of Covid concerns we still have, a few tables will be set up socially-distanced in the back vestry but the other two tables will be on the outside at the back of the sanctuary, again socially-distanced. Make your plans to come for a light meal of sandwiches, cakes and tea.

Hand-sanitisers and masks will be available as needed. We are conscious that Covid and other winter bugs haven’t gone away and are planning everything to take this into consideration. Please don’t let this stop you from joining us for the festivities. These have been a difficult two years for all of us but we are back into the community now and particularly for this Christmas.

The Nenagh Christmas Tree Festival will take place from December 7 to 11 with the times for Wednesday-Friday, 1 – 5.30pm; Saturday and Sunday, 11 - 6pm. The Carol service will start on Sunday at 6.30pm.