John Joe McGinley

WE ARE approaching one of the most special times of the year, Christmas. Despite the stress the season can bring I hope your home is warm, cosy and full of Christmas cheer.

IN THESE often stressful times, it can be difficult to leave your worries behind and have a good time, but if there is ever an ideal time for this then it has to be Christmas. Sure, didn’t even Ebenezer Scrooge the original Christmas grinch eventually abandon his love of money and embrace the spirit of Christmas.

LONG before the age of instant messaging, online shopping, or next-day delivery, Christmas in Ireland carried a quiet magic of its own. But for countless families across the country, nothing compared to the thrill of receiving a parcel from the US, a tangible, festive connection to loved ones who had crossed the Atlantic in search of a better life.