RESIDENTS of Manor Village took part in an annual tradition on Monday night. Every December 8 they switch on the lights of their own ‘Christmas village’.
The ‘Christmas Village’, celebrated its tenth anniversary and the ‘village’ has grown in size since the first year, as with every passing Christmas, something new being added to the display.
Young Manor Village resident, Lawrence Smullen, had the honour of switching on the lights as a special birthday gift.
“It’s a tradition around here and it’s all for the kids, they’re the most important people here,” said Joe Moynihan of the Manor Village Residents Committee.
Over 50 people from the estate were out in force on a cold night, young and old on the street to witness the event.
“The first year we decided to do lights, then came a crib and before long we had a village added on to it!” said Joe.
“Every year we add something new to it, the newest addition is a castle. The residents committee get together and we decide what to do, a lot of time and effort goes into the different hand made pieces that go in the display and we do our best to make it look traditional” said Joe.
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At the turning on of the Christmas lights in Manor Village were, from left, front row: Eavan Shanahan, Danielle Shanahan, Lawrence Smullen. Back row: Jennifer Shanahan, Mary Smullen and Jade Sumllen. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
At the turning on of the Christmas lights in Manor Village were, from left: Karolina Walanuns, Ameila Mol and Peter Walanuns. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
At the turning on of the Christmas lights in Manor Village were, from left, front row: David Moriarty, Ellie Sugrue, Julia Moriarty, Ciara Sugrue and Dolores Sugrue. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the turning on of the Christmas lights in Manor Village were, from left: Caroline Shanahan, Alfonso Marquez, Annie Shanahan, Aine Bradley and Lena Kreft. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the turning on of the Christmas lights in Manor Village were, from left, front row: Lexie O’Connor, Eva Sugrue and Anna Landy: Middle row: Margaret Goodall, Anne McCarthy, Julia McCormick, Joan Lynch and Joe Moynihan. Back row: Vickie McCarthy and Katie Carmody. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the turning on of the Christmas lights in Manor Village were, from left, front: David Callaghan. Back row: David Callaghan, Clara Callaghan, Rachel, Dean and Martin Farrell. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the turning on of the Christmas lights in Manor Village were, from left: Jolita Milasevciute, Edmar, Laima Rekasiene and dog, Seila. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.The Christmas Village in Manor Village. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.Residents at the turning on of the Christmas lights in Manor Village. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
THE residents at Manor Village are no strangers to awards over the years, practically owning the Best Large Estate category in the Tidy Tralee Together competition.
But now they have been set a new task by the Council: to get their estate ready for the Entente Florale competition which will see judges in the Europe-wide contest enter their area on July 31.
Their estate is the only one in town in which the judges will view and it’s a big honour for the residents.
TraleeToday.ie visited the estate on Tuesday and spoke to Joe Moynihan and Jennifer Mackey of the Residents Committee about the effort that has gone into making the area so successful and the preparations for the Entente Florale judges.
See video below (camera and editing by Ryan Higgins)…
Walking around the estate it’s clear that it’s an all-estate effort with young and old out in every part of the Village sweeping the paths, cutting hedges and picking up any rubbish.
Six years ago the committee decided to take over a piece of waste ground at the end of the estate and they turned it into a walkway.
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The walkway in Manor Village which the residents transformed from waste ground six years ago. Photo by Dermot Crean
“We decided to develop a walkway around the village six years ago. We put in a composting bed to European standards, we also have bumblebee and butterfly flower beds and we’re very proud of it,” said Joe.
A local girl also decided to do a mural for the Entente Florale judges.
John O’Sullivan, Tiny Callaghan, Dean Farrell and Brian O’Donoghue doing some work by the mural on the container in the Manor Village walkway on Tuesday. Photo by Dermot Crean
“Jane Carmody, who’s just 16 years old decided to do it on the container here. She designed it and did it all on her own over a few evenings and we left her at it,” said Joe, who gave huge praise to the committee and the residents.
“We’ve the best committee in Ireland I’d say. They never fail to turn up and work, they’re always coming up with ideas. We’re very proud of our estate and you can see that from the amount of people that come out here to help,” said Joe.
With the judging just two weeks away, Tralee can have faith that Manor Village will do us proud.
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Joe Moynihan and Anne McCarthy at one of the flower beds in Manor Village on Tuesday evening. Photo by Dermot CreanMartin Gill at the entrance to the Manor Village Walk on Tuesday evening. Photo by Dermot CreanKerina Bulman and Dan Sexton helping with the clean-up at Manor Village on Tuesday evening. Photo by Dermot CreanThe Rose Garden near the Manor Village Walk. Photo by Dermot Crean
