Santa Clasus Arrives In Cobh Safely

Christmas in Cobh started in glorious sunshine on Saturday 4^th December when Santa Claus arrived by boat at The Pier Head at 12 noon.

A large crowd of excited children and their parents greeted him and throughout the day large queues waited patiently at the Sirius Arts Centre to meet Santa in his magical Grotto. So as not to disappoint any children in the queue Santa remained in his Grotto and missed the switching on of the Christmas lights at 5 pm. He did however greet the hundred or so children in the Torchlit Parade that was led by St. Colman’s Pipe Band from the Heritage Centre to the Christmas Tree.

All day Toddy Stafford and his crew worked to erect the lights along the town while the Town Council outdoor staff

Mary Piggott of Sirius Arts Centre with Santa

erected the Festive banners in the town centre.

Throughout the afternoon there was a fabulous and very busy free children’s art workshop in the Commodore Hotel with Amy Bruton of Artykids.

See You In Cobh who organised many of today’s events were delighted with the reaction. “Many people must be thanked for working hard and giving freely of their time and expertise to bring a festive atmosphere to the town”, said Hendrick Verwey. “Despite the weather thwarting a few of the planned events the day was a magnificent success”.

Cobh Confraternity Band entertained with Festive Melodies prior to the switching on of the lights. The switching on ceremony was performed by Mayor of Cobh Finbarr O’Driscoll and Deputy President of Cobh and Harbour Chamber John Sweeney.

The Christmas in Cobh Event Guide is packed with things to do in Cobh this Christmas and has been distributed to virtually every home and business on the Great Island. The Guide and further events are listed on the website www.christmasincobh.com.

See You In Cobh is encouraging people to come out in force for the Christmas Cobh Audience with Dominic Finn in the Great Island Community Centre on Sunday 19^th December at 8pm. Tickets for what promises to be a spectacular feast of entertainment cost just €10 and are available from the Commodore Hotel and the Community Centre.

Christmas in Cobh Christmas Cards costing just €5 for a pack of six are still available from English’s card shop, the Cathedral Shop, Keatings Londis, Harbour Books, Illusive and from Ursula Duffy (4813581). All of the proceeds from the sale of the cards will be used to illuminate the exterior of St. Colman’s Cathedral with LED lights.