Christmas Tree Festival in Maynooth church
This year the spirit and goodwill of Christmas has arrived early in Maynooth, in the form of a Christmas Tree Festival in St Mary’s Church of Ireland from 25th to 29th November. It is the brainchild of Church of Ireland churches from Dunboyne, Dunshaughlin and Maynooth.
This will be the first time such an ambitious event has been held in the area and it will involve the whole community. The festival, which in some ways could be compared to a flower festival, seeks to tell the story of Christmas and the story of the local community through the medium of Christmas trees. Visitors can journey through the Christmas story as well as the story of the local community as told through the medium of Christmas trees.
Each tree is uniquely made or decorated to tell its part in the Christmas story. One of the most exciting aspects is the way it involves the whole community in finding a new way to tell its story.
Not only do the three host churches provide trees, other local churches also take part. As well as that, local schools, businesses and community organisations are also taking part, to create something eye catching. Imagine a bookshop that creates a tree made of books or a garage producing a tree made of tyres.
The aim of the Christmas Tree Festival is to create a community celebration, at the same time as raise funds for the host churches as well as helping with charitable giving. There is no admission charge but visitors are invited to give a donation.
Santa’s Grotto and a Nativity scene add to an air of celebration. The Festival began with an opening service on the Wednesday evening. The church will be open for viewing on Thursday and Friday from 2pm. to 9pm. Alongside the trees there will be a mini-Christmas market on Saturday from 10am to 7pm, as well as live music at various times throughout the festival.
The Festival concludes with a Christmas Songs of Praise on Sunday afternoon at 4pm, marking a true community celebration.