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Wool ewe help us? 02.12.10

by Linda McGrory

THE organisers of a live Christmas crib in Inishowen fear it will be a case of baaaaaa humbug if they don't find a lamb for their charity production.
They have now issued a tough challenge to local farmers to find them an early season newborn lamb for their annual nativity scene.
The live crib in Carndonagh has been organised for Sunday, December 19, but that's weeks before the lambing season begins.
One of the crib co-ordinators, Ailish Tully, realises the task is going to be a challenging one.
"We already have a couple of donkeys and we have had the same cow 'Daisy' in our crib for the last nine years - she's a seasoned actress by now," quipped Ailish.
"But we need a nice wee lamb and we know it's going to be difficult because the lambing season doesn't start until the new year.
"So, we're appealing to farmers to let us know if they have a heavily pregnant ewe who might give birth early and save the day for us," she added.
Ailish Tully, far right, enlists some help to find a lamb for her live Christmas crib in Carndonagh. Also pictured, from left, are Eimhear Harkin, 12, Rebecca McCarron, 10, Briana Tully, 7, and Bridgeen McCallion.
The Carndonagh Live Crib has been staged for the last nine years on Chapel Street, near the local Church of the Sacred Heart and has become one of the most popular events in the local calendar. The one-hour production includes a huge cast of some 200 locals including two rotating sets of kings and shepherds as well as six different families who each play Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus, in slots of 10 minutes. Everyone gets involved in the community outdoor event, with local tradesmen helping to build the stable, farmers providing animals and the hay and schoolchildren becoming little angels and nativity characters for the evening. There is also a beautiful lantern procession set to favourite Christmas hymns and carols provided by the local church choir, the Carn Folk Group and students from the Danielle Cavanagh and Siobhan Shiels singing schools.
Extensive plans are now underway for the event which takes place from 6pm-7pm on Sunday, December 19. Help is still needed in the following areas: stable-building (12 noon on the day); disassembly of stable (7pm); collection and return of staging and props from St Patrick's Girls School - requires a van/trailer (12 noon and 7pm); six stewards (5.30-7pm). The organisers are also inviting preschool and junior primary children to dress up as nativity characters and come along with their parents to join the opening procession. Meanwhile, if you would like to help out - or have any news of an imminent lamb - please come along to a short meeting on Tuesday, December 7 at 8.30pm in St Patrick's Girls’ School, opposite the hospital. Everyone is welcome. You can also contact Ailish on 086 6028542 with any queries.
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