IF Walls Could Talk - Christmas in Limerick has always been special

CHRISMAS 2024 is upon us and the search for the perfect gift for a loved one is well underway. Whether it’s technology, clothing, holiday vouchers or bestselling books, the options are endless. But what did Limerick people of the past purchase for their loved ones? What did the city look and feel like during the ‘most wonderful time of the year?’ What Christmas traditions have endured in our city?

In December 1849, the female “inmates” of the Union Workhouse (now St Camillus’s) were treated to ‘tea and cake while burning their Christmas candle.’ On Christmas day both the men and women were regaled with excellent fare as a local merchant made a gift of six geese – which the parties had the pleasure of seeing roasted and then partaking in the feast.

On St Stephen’s Night, they had ‘tea and cake (an annual present from the baker), and after hearty enjoyment of the meal, dancing was kept up with spirit, diversified by vocal and instrumental music.’ Annual charitable traditions saw landlords distributing money and food to their tenants, for example, John C. Delmege of Castlepark donated beef, mutton, and poultry to all his workmen and labourers during Christmas 1860.

A little closer to the city, Thomas Revington distributed 150 pairs of blankets to both Catholics and Protestants who were experiencing straitened times. Revington was a merchant and property developer; he built Eden Terrace on the North Circular Road between 1861 and 1862. His shop was located at 13, 14, 15, and 16 O’Connell Street (now Brown Thomas).

By 1856, Christmas trees were offered for sale by several merchants, along with boxes to house them and a vast array of glass and sugar decorations. Many public donations were collected in order to erect Christmas trees in St Michael’s Parish School from about 1860 onwards. The Limerick Chronicle of 24 December 1868 reported that a ‘tree of lofty proportions, laden with toys and appropriate presents, its leaves interspersed with artificial snow and brilliant stars was an object of great admiration’ when it was unveiled at the Protestant Hall, Pery Street.

In 1865, at no. 135 O’Connell Street, T. S. O’Donnell informed the public that ‘immense arrivals of Christmas stock consisting of glass, earthenware and the finest China’ were on view. O’Donnell invited the public to visit his showrooms early and place their orders for the holidays.

Similarly, James Norton advised that he had for sale ‘ladies leather hand and carriage bags, French and Berlin baskets, toys in great variety, prints and engravings, concertinas direct from Germany, and violins and flutes – all of which are ideal Christmas gifts.’

READ MORE: PICTURES: Proud Rathkeale is 'open for business' this Christmas

Culinary products remain popular Christmas presents and it was no different in Limerick of the 1870s. For example, Michael O’Donnell, family grocer of 2, Denmark Street offered ‘teas, sugars, port and sherry wines, and Jameson’s Dublin malt whiskey’ to his customers.

Over 146 years later, the premises remain a public house and is home to the popular Flannery’s Pub, thus carrying on traditions established in the nineteenth century. A few streets away at the City Restaurant, nos. 44 and 45 Cecil Street, Mrs McCarthy tempted shoppers into her premises by giving away a ‘package of Christmas cards with every purchase of seed, plum, and sultana cakes.’ She had for sale ‘plum pudding at 1 shilling per pound, mince pies were priced at 3 pence each’.

In the present day, the Mayor of Limerick, John Moran has organised a competition for the best Christmas window in the city, another local tradition that has a long history. In 1886, John Carrick of 17, O’Connell Street who traded as the Limerick Cigar and Hairdressing Saloon notified the public that his ‘special arrival of fancy goods suitable for Christmas presents was on show at his festive window.’

Such was the emphasis placed on the dressing of Christmas windows in Limerick that the editor of the Cork Daily Herald assigned two entire columns to the topic in December 1892.

The lengthy article described the ‘crowds who throng the thoroughfare anxious to satisfy their curiosity by an inordinate gaze in each shop window.’ It continued ‘crowds haunt the establishments from morning to closing hour, at a rate that really puzzles one to understand.’ A number of city businesses were featured: David Begley’s (now Gerry Power’s pub), O’Malley’s (now Mother Mac’s pub), James O’Mara of Roche’s Street, as well as Michael Spain’s, Clune’s, O’Keeffe’s, O’Connor’s, Hannan’s, Griffin’s, Gleeson’s, Boyd’s, and Evan’s and Co.

One tradition that has continued since time immemorial is the jubilant chimes emanating from the ancient bell tower of St. Mary’s as the Feast of the Nativity is announced.

Indeed, the beautiful interior decorations of the cathedral were described in the Limerick Chronicle of 29 December 1866. The chancel, choir, and nave were so ‘embossed with evergreens that they suggested the idea of a sylvan arcade, the origin, by the way, of the Gothic architecture.

The pulpit, too, was most gracefully decorated. The throne, lectern, chancel rails, and organ loft were handsomely wreathed with ivy, holly, and palm, the simple emblems of the eternal Saviour’s humanity, passion, and triumph.’ Among the striking features of adornment were ‘wave-lines of festoons that glistened in great adulations down from and up to the clerestory windows.’

Long may these Limerick City Christmas traditions continue. Good luck to all businesses entering the Merry and Bright Challenge. Wishing all readers of the Limerick Leader and of my column, a very happy and peaceful Christmas.