GOREY LIGHTS & WICKLOW CHRISTMAS MARKET

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Gorey, Co. Wexford last weekend as the Christmas lights were switched on by Santa.

The relevant section of the main street was packed with people of all ages and particularly the children in a high state of excitement.

While we waited for the bearded one, the Gorey Youth Choir entertained us with enthusiastic renderings of Christmas songs.

The audience was continuously informed of Santa's trajectory and ETA.

Given that he was a little behind time, there was a suggestion that he had nipped into Browne's for a nip.

Reminded me of the time as a small child at Butlin's in Mosney, when a big campfire was prepared for the arrival of Hopalong Cassidy, one of my favourite cowboy figures. He appeared in Croke Park earlier in the day, but we waited and waited. He never did turn up, due we learned later to an excess of hospitality at Croke Park.

But not our loyal Santa. He duly appeared with his sleigh and the missus. Only Rudolph and the gang were missing, esconsed God knows where.

True to his calling, Santa turned on the lights and then engaged in a Q&A with the local children. All in a day's fun.

Down the end of the street the style of the lights changed. Really beautiful and fondly remembered from last year.

Wicklow Christmas Market
Next day we went to Wickla town to check out the Christmas market.

It had just been open a few days and appeared to be booming. There were artisan stalls, vittals including for coffee addicts and conoisseurs, and amusements for the kids.

An Post kept up a long national tradition of collecting letters to Santa, and I hope making sure to get him to reply to them all. Brings back memories of my letter to Santa and his reply. I was then 6 years old and thrilled out of my mind with the reply. Thats why I still have it.

Some very nice wooden toys from Greg Fira at Inspirations4u.

These populated glasses really caught my fancy.

Beautiful quality items from Minizoo Dublin.

Some serious maga barbeque equipment.

Alpacas, originally from South America, but now with farms and studs all over Ireland.

Just remember not to sneak into the backgarden of one of the adjoining houses no matter how urgent your perceived need.




And to fittingly cap the day, the Ballymore Eustace Concert Band. They're really good.