We’d like to report that it was a cold, snowy, at least frosty, night as we held our annual Service of Christmas carols and festive songs in Abbeyleix Library on Thursday 18th December. However the weather was positively unseasonable, balmy you could say, as our library members and local community came together to mark the festive season and the drawing to a close of 2014.
Our first group of performers were pupils from Knock NS under the tutelage of Berry Murphy. About 50 students took part and entertained the large crowd in attendance. Among the Christmas numbers covered by the Knock choir were ‘Snow is Falling’, ‘Happy’, ‘Jingle Bell Rock’, ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ and ‘Emmanuel’. It was the first time Knock NS choir sang in the library and we’re certain they will perform again here in the near future.
Our other main performers on the night were the young members of Spink Ceolamhtas under the direction of Paul Lynch. Spink CCE are no strangers to Abbeyleix library having previously being involved in Seachtain na Gaeilge Events in the library and launching the Laois Fleadh Ceoil here earlier in 2014. Spink CCE sang traditional Christmas carols and hymns including ‘Oh Holy Night’ and ‘Silent Night’ accompanied by banjo playing.
Refreshments were served at the end of the event and an enjoyable evening was had by all. The crowd of over 300 people was one of the largest ever to attend an event in the library since it’s refurbishment and reopening launch night in June 2008. This was particularly satisfying for everybody involved.’
I’d like to take the opportunity to wish you all a very peaceful, happy Christmas and prosperous New Year. Thank you all for the coverage you have given our library activities throughout 2014.
Walter Lawler,
Executive Librarian,