Limerick teen to sprinkle some festive magic on local village with Christmas market

A COUNTY Limerick teenager is not only bringing festive cheer to his village but he’s also bringing the local community together with the first Christmas market in nearly six years.

Billy Moylan, 15, is the brains behind the event which will be held at the Muintir na Tíre Hall in Murroe from 12pm to 5pm on this Sunday, December 11.

The market will play host to about 20 stalls, selling and showcasing everything from arts and crafts, metalwork, baked goods, knitted items and photographs, with performances from the local choir and a meet and greet with Santa adding to the wonder of it all.

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The idea came to Billy in a business class at St Mary's Secondary School, Newport. “I felt that the community was lacking in some community spirit since the Covid pandemic”, he began. “Then the idea came to me, why doesn’t Murroe have a Christmas market?”

Billy’s mother Siobhán told Limerick Live that her son enjoys helping out the community. He “loves where he’s from”, she stated. Not long before this endeavour, she was surprised to learn that Billy had joined his local Tidy Towns group in a bid to improve the area: “what other 14-year-old wants to help clean up a village?” she chuckled.

After advertising the market on the community Facebook page, she described the flood of messages received. “Within two to three days, 50 or 60 people contacted him about getting a stall”, she marvelled.

A loaded raffle will also be held on the day, with spot prizes from local businesses including hampers and vouchers. All proceeds will go to the Neonatal Unit at the University Maternity Hospital Limerick as Billy himself was a premature baby born on December 15, almost 16 years ago.

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While chatting with Limerick Live, Billy admitted that donating to the unit has been on his mind.

“It’s something I always wanted to do because I spent six weeks there myself, it feels good to be giving back to them”.

After sharing his gratitude to the community, he finished with his hopes for the event. “I’m hoping for a big turnout”, started Billy, “that people will come, shop, eat, drink and it’ll be a success.”