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Carndonagh gets ready for Live Crib 19.12.08

Volunteers sought as preparations continue for spectacular show

by Liam Porter, Inishowen Independent

PREPARATIONS are continuing in Carndonagh this week for the staging of the North West’s only Live Crib with this Sunday’s event set to be bigger and better than ever before.
For seven years now, the community in Carndonagh and beyond has come together to put on a spectacular show that one of the organisers, Ailish Tully, says helps people re-focus on the real meaning of Christmas.
Speaking to the Inishowen Independent, Ailish explained that the idea for the Live Crib came several years ago after a number of locals heard of a similar event in Limerick.
“We heard about that and began to talk about it and we quickly discovered there was a big interest. In fact there has never been any problem getting people to come on board, people in Carndonagh might not feel like its Christmas any more if it were to stop.”
The spectacular live show now has around 300 locals involved from the planning and organising, making costumes or the stable or stewarding.
“It really is a well-oiled machine now at this stage, we have responsibility for several of the various aspects all delegated out and it makes life easier for everyone. However there is always room for more volunteers and we always make new people feel more than welcome.”
The live event is an ecumenical event with participants from across the various denominations involved in all aspects of the production.
“This really is a huge community venture, everyone gets involved and have done from the very first year. People donate material for the costumes and set and give of their time so freely in an effort to make the event a really special one.”
The reputation of the live event has stretched far and wide now and visitors come, not only from all parts of Inishowen, but from all over Donegal and the north-west to watch.
“The idea behind this event is to make special memories for the children and to re-focus people on the Christmas story. Everyone who has ever attended has found it to be a magnificent experience and we always try to so something different every year.”
This weekend’s event gets under way at 6 pm and adults and children are invited to dress up as nativity characters and join the opening Lantern Procession which will lead the Holy Family from the Diamond to the stable which will be located at the Diamond entrance to the Church grounds. To join in, simply come along to the Diamond at 5.45 p.m.
“We also need stewards, collectors, singers etc. and we’re on the lookout for a lamb! For further details or to offer your help, please ring 9374938,” Ailish concluded.
Sunday’s live event will be recorded by Inishowen Community Radio.
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