19.12.2024
Rathmichael ‘Grit’ Sees Huge Sum Raised for SVP Amid Storm Darragh
By the Revd Sean Hanily
What a memorable weekend was had celebrating the 160th anniversary of the consecration of Rathmichael Church on December 7 and 8. Storm Darragh arrived the night before and left us without power, but that didn’t stop us! In true Rathmichael grit, we got on with our plans.
On the morning of Saturday December 7, there was a Christmas Food Sale and Coffee morning in aid of the local Saint Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal. It was a tremendous success, bringing in people from across the wider community to buy the beautiful produce made by Fiona Ashe. Thanks to Geoffrey Perrin and Fiona’s hard work (and their wonderful team of volunteers), a staggering sum of €4,500 was raised for the Saint Vincent De Paul Christmas Appeal.
Fiona had been busy prepping for weeks in advance and all of the food for sale on the day was made by her. Others generously brought along baked goods to go along with the coffee on the morning. There may have been a panic about the lack of electricity in the church – but we were all amply supplied with coffee and delicious food.
Some of the food on offer on the day included: Wicklow venison casserole, chicken and ham gratin, pork meatballs in spicy tomato sauce, cottage pie, bacon and cheese tart, rocket and cheese tart, and smoked salmon and dill tart.
The sweet options included fruit tea brack, almond tart, apple and blackberry crumble, rhubarb, cinnamon and orange crumble, Tunisian orange cake, chocolate cake, coffee cake, carrot cake, mince pies, Christmas Florentines and vanilla fudge. A selection of jams was also available.
Needless to say, with such an appetising menu – everything was sold! The atmosphere was wonderful and the local storm damage didn’t stop a massive crowd coming along to enjoy the morning.