Baldoyle community get into the Christmas spirit at big event

Evan O’Gorman 

OVER 100 people turned out in Baldoyle last Sunday week to witness the local tradition of switching on the Christmas tree lights, organised by Baldoyle Community Centre. 

The event began at 4.30pm and was MC’d by former Republic of Telly star and Baldoyle native Jennifer Zamparelli, who introduced the Baldoyle Song & Dance and Baldoyle Musical Societies. 

Both groups delivered a number of Christmas favourites to the crowd who joined in with the festive spirit. 

After the music had ended, Mayor of Fingal Anthony Lavin spoke briefly to the audience, thanking them for the occasion and praising the efforts of the community. 

Jennifer then announced they would be lighting the tree, and began a countdown with the audience. The lighting of the tree provoked a great cheer in the crowd and once the excitement had settled, attendees were invited to the White House Pub in Baldoyle for a hot cider with cinnamon and lemon. 

“We light the tree every year but we’ve never really had an event around it,” said Joan Hopkins, director of the Community Centre. 

“So we decided to do something special. The reason we did it was to get people out and have a bit of community spirit.”

With the assistance of the community’s local talent and volunteers, Hopkins put together what will hopefully be the first of a festive annual event for the people of Baldoyle.