The scene at Childers Road during the operation
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02 Oct 2025
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02 Oct 2025
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Tony Ryan, from Doon, acquired the wooden clock a number of years ago and says that he has always seen a Santa Claus resemblance on the back of it PICTURE: Adrian Butler
A FAMILIAR festive face has been discovered by one Limerick man, on the back of an old clock!
Tony Ryan, from Doon, was gifted a wooden clock a number of years ago, and he smiles at being able to see Santa Claus’ face on the back!
A member of the Doon District Men’s Shed, Tony will have the ‘magic’ clock on display at the Men’s Shed table for the community Christmas fair on Sunday, December 3, for all to see.
Taking place in Doon community centre, Santa himself will be making an appearance there on Sunday, while the whole weekend will bring festive cheer.
Kicking off on Friday, December 1, children will be able to go to a Christmas themed disco, and on Saturday, there will be a cinema day in the centre.
“Lots of people I showed the back of the clock to, couldn’t see what I could see - Santa Claus’ face!,” Tony said.
“I have shown it to many people now. Some people can see it straight away, while others, not at all.
“People are always surprised when they notice it.”
For those who are struggling with the ‘face pareidolia' - the phenomenon of seeing faces in everyday objects - Santa has a very small face in the middle of the wood, with his eyes closed (two tiny lines) and wears a Santa hat.
Tony keeps his old clock which he says is made from spalted beech, on the mantelpiece. If you cut beech wood and lay it on the ground, fungus gets into it and causes a pattern to appear.
None other than Santa Claus himself decided to appear on the back of Tony’s gift, which must hold a special type of festive magic!
Ironically, Tony was given the hand-sized clock as a Christmas present: “I would never give it away, but I am happy to display it for people to see and enjoy as much as I do.”
Returning to his homeplace of Doon after 38 years, Tony worked in the GPO in Dublin and has now retired and returned to his home place of county Limerick.
“The Men’s Shed is a great place for men to come together and it breaks down isolation and loneliness.
“It’s very good for men’s health, to meet others and chat to them. When I got back to Doon after being so long away from it, I knew very few people - the Men’s Shed has been a great way for me to meet people in the community, and getting to know them.
“I always wanted to do some woodwork but never got around to it - it’s only when I joined the shed that I got to do some, that’s why I like the wooden clock!”
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