True Meaning of Christmas Rediscovered in Murie Gan Smál Concert

Madison Coffey preparing for her part in the Muire Gan Smál Christmas Concert with her mom Precilla. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Slawomir and Emilka Kujawa at the Muire Gan Smál Christmas Concert. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Filling the role of caterers among others on the night of the Muire Gan Smál Christmas Concert were from left: Nicola McGovern, Mary Mahony, Máire Lynch, principal; Denise Griffin and Michelle Reidy. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Teacher Frances Cullen making last minute preparations for the Muire Gan Smál Christmas Concert with pupils from left: Amelia Jarza, Grace McGovern, Basia Dolata, Siobnán Mahony and Wiktoria Brzozka. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Rokas as Santa pictured with his parents Minde and Savita before his role in the Muire Gan Smál Christmas Concert. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Bridgid and Paris Coffey with Ciara, Theresa and Colin Downey at the Muire Gan Smál Christmas Concert. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Coping well with the pre Muire Gan Smál Christmas Concert tension were from left: Elaine O’Donoghue, SNA; Paris Coffey, Maura Culhane, SNA; Ciara Downey with teacher and event spokesperson, Maura Browne. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Excitement was building at Muire Gan Smál Presentation Primary School just before Christmas as angels, stars, elves and a host of other festive characters were arriving with family and friends for the school’s annual Christmas concert.

The big show kicked off with an amazing performance by teacher Grace Kelter’s dance group followed closely by Junior Infants who performed their very first Christmas show.

True Meaning of Christmas

Next to take to the stage were Senior Infants with a dazzling performance of ‘What a Star’ which saw a little star named Leo journey to Bethlehem and remind us of the true meaning of Christmas. Ralph the reindeer then swooped in to save Christmas with the help of first and second class after poor old Rudolph got a terrible cold.

Third and fourth class entertained the crowds with a modern twist on the Christmas story which provided plenty of laughs before fifth and sixth class finished off the night with a fantastic performance of ‘A High School Musical.’

A Truly Magical Night

“It was, as always, a truly magical night for all involved from the very smallest of performers taking to the stage for their very first time to the parents, grannies and grandads gathered to watch, many of whom had tread the boards at the school themselves in the not so distant past,” said teacher Maura Browne.

“The night finished off with the annual Christmas raffle and the school would like to thank all those who supported it by purchasing tickets on the night and/or lines which were sold by the pupils in the run up to the big night, the parents of the pupils who all contributed towards the hampers and the parents association as well as the raffle’s many sponsors.

“The spirit of generosity is, as always, alive and well in Castleisland and the raffle raised €800 for the school,” said Ms. Browne.

List of Sponsors

The list of sponsors includes: Diamonds Forever;The Treasure Chest; SG Business Solutions; Garvey’s SuperValu; Diarmuid’s Family Butchers; the River Island Hotel; Kennelly’s Pharmacy; Shanahan’s Pharmacy; Lynch’s Pharmacy; Shine Hair Salon; Cute Cut Hair Salon; Jackie Reidy’s Menswear; Crag Cave; Hannon’s Fashion; La Femme; MP Moran & Sons Ltd; Walsh Bros Electrical; Browne’s Topline; Denis Collins’ Garage; Centra; Tom Mc Carthy’s Bar and Tomo Burke Electrical.