Community effort behind festive scene

Residents in Otterstown who came together to create a nativity scene on their road says the project has brought the community closer.

There might have been no room at the inn but residents on the Kildalkey road out of Athboy in Otterstown decided to do something to instil the festive spirit in the area and built an 8ftx4ft stable made from wood complete with straw, a tin roof, a hand made crib and figurines depicting Mary and Joseph, baby Jesus, the three wise men and an array of farm animals.

It even has a Perspex covering for protection.

The community also invested in a Christmas tree that lights up the road and a local artist even painted a life size Christmas picture that has been getting a lot of attention from passersby who are posing for pictures in the cut out holes.

Resident Brian Mullen explains how it all came together:

“We started up a what’s app group earlier this year more so for security in the area and that kind of brought people together an awful lot.

“During lockdown that increased more with people offering to help older people in the community.

“A couple of months ago we pitched together and put a bench in place in memory of residents living on the road who have passed away and coming up to Christmas one of the lads suggested maybe we’ll put up a tree and a crib for the kids.”

The switching on off the tree is an event that will stay in the memories of residents for many years to come according to Brian:

“We made a crib and got lovely figurines donated and put up a tree and people came up and put their own decorations on it.

“Padraig McElhinney from McElhinney of McElhinneys in Athboy donated the lights for the tree and last Sunday week Pat McElhinney who lives on the road switched on the lights and a lot of people on the road turned up for that and we did hot chocolate for the kids and people made mince pies and cookies for everyone to have.

“Another resident painted the picture on the board and the kids are having great fun with that and there’s even people from the town coming over to have a look

‘It has given the area a real boost and has brought the community a lot closer.”