Nenagh: a joyous Christmas in 1962
A report on the Christmas season of 60 years ago - 1962 - is published in the final issue of The Guardian of that year.
In an article headlined simply, ‘The Christmastide’, the newspaper goes on to give the following account:
The season of peace and goodwill was observed here in appropriate manner. Christmas was joyous and gladsome, with no serious accident or incident to mar the occasion. Local traders, in all lines of business, reported a brisk and successful pre-Christmas week. The weather throughout was fine but cold, a mantle of frost bringing the resemblance of a ‘white Christmas’.
Large numbers arrived home for the festive period, but cross-Channel visitors appeared to be fewer in number this year.
A heavy volume of goods and passenger traffic, for which extra trains were scheduled to and from the local railway station, was handled with accustomed dispatch.
The mail services, too, were taxed to the utmost, but with an augmented staff, all letters and parcels were delivered and dispatched with expedition, the public generally responding to the appeal of the Post Office Authorities to post early.
FIRE IN TOOMEVARA
A chimney fire, at the curates' residence, Toomevara, was extinguished by Nenagh fire brigade before any serious damage was caused.
At the County Hospital the Sisters and staff arranged for the provision of the usual Christmas fare in both food and entertainment where the patients had a very pleasant festive period.
The customary St Stephen's Day meet of the North Tipperary Foxhounds assembled, as in recent years, at the Hotel Ormond, where the Gilmartin brothers dispensed lavish hospitality before the ‘take-off’.
The 'Wren Boys', as usual, turned out in numbers with their multi-coloured costumes and musical instruments to entertain and amuse. The entertainment end was also well catered for with carnival dances in the local halls on Sunday night and on St. Stephen's Night.
The Holy Season was observed with traditional devotion and ceremony at the Church of St. Mary's of the Rosary. The great majority of the faithful visited the confessionals during the week. On Christmas Eve there was an overflow congregation, practically all of whom received Holy Communion at Midnight Mass, which was celebrated by Rt. Rev. Monsignor Hamilton, P.P., V.F., who wished them all the joys and blessings of the season. On Christmas morning Masses were offered at 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 noon, when Solemn High Mass was celebrated, the parish clergy officiating. Big numbers received the Blessed Eucharist at each Mass. The sacred music was rendered splendidly by the choir, Miss Josette McGrath presiding at the organ.
Continuous visits were made on Christmas Day and the days following to the beautiful Crib erected at the Altar of the Sacred Heart.
On the evenings preceding the festival the choir and local children paraded the streets of the town, singing well-known Christmas carols.
The statue of Christ the King was floodlit on Thursday night of last week when the lights were switched on to illumine the Christmas trees at Banba Square, Nenagh. The special Christmas lighting scheme was sponsored by Nenagh Chamber of Commerce, and many business houses in the town carried illuminated Christmas trees which added attraction.