08.12.2025
Crinken Christmas Tree Festival a Celebration of Community
Community spirit was in full flow at the launch of Crinken Church’s Christmas Tree Festival on Thursday evening last (December 4). Hundreds of people visited the church over the weekend to follow the ‘Journey to Bethlehem – the Christmas Story in Trees’ which celebrated community, creativity and the true meaning of Christmas.
The festival featured 50 trees, each one decorated by local charities, businesses and community groups. Every tree told its own story, inspired by the message of Jesus’s birth and the hope he brings to the world.
The community organisations who decorated trees were represented at the festival launch. Canon Tom O’Brien said the festival embodied the sense of community and connection fostered by Crinken Church.
“This Christmas Tree Festival is an amazing testimony to what it is to be part of a community. You are all here representing your various groups and I want to thank you for everything that you have done. To see you coming in during the week and decorating your trees – expressing who you are through art and design – was inspirational,” he said. He thanked all involved for their dedication.
One of the organisers, Glynis Good, spoke of her love of the Shankill community. She said the festival was so special because it drew people of all ages from tiny children in the local school to older people, to athletes and sporting stars from the GAA and Lakers and people from the Ukrainian Hub decorating trees with memories of their homes that they are not living in to the Gardai with their justice tree.
“It has been beautiful because it is not just one tree, it’s 50 trees, it’s 50 community groups. It’s all of us coming together and giving a gift back to the community. We have been so blessed and I think you will be blessed for having given. For me this church is part of my life and to be able to retell the Christmas story through the trees – thank you,” she said. “This is our community and we have a responsibility. I think one of the greatest responsibilities we have is to be kind to each other, show genuine care about and for each other, to stop and talk to each other… so enjoy the festival that you have created for the people in our community.”
The festival was officially opened by Councillor Jim Gildea, Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council who cut the white ribbon which symbolised peace.
He thanked everyone for creating the festival and said all the Christmas trees represented the community. “It is fantastic to see so many people who volunteer in the community here. it is a fantastic and unique initiative,” he said.
Donations made over the weekend (after costs) went to the Storehouse, Crinken’s foodbank.
