THE Whoriskey family has issued an appeal to the local business community to help cover the costs of this year’s Christmas lights display.
The Whoriskey festive illuminations have become something of an institution since the switch was first flicked on 17 years ago.
The countless santas, elves reindeer and the ever-popular crib draw thousands of people from all over Donegal and surrounding counties to Kerrykeel annually.
But this year the couple behind the colourful exhibition, Mary and Michael Whoriskey, are facing unprecedented expense due to the rising cost of electric and diesel.
“The running cost is unbelievable,” said Mary Whoriskey.
“That is why we are making a special plea to the business community for financial assistance through donations to help with the cost of electric, the generator and the general maintenance costs.”
The spectacular lights in all their glory.
Over the years the lights have raised an incredible €94,000 for charities including Letterkenny Breast Care Unit, Friends of the Hospital, the
Acquired Brain Injury Unit, the Irish Kidney Foundation, Fanad and Rathmullan Day Centres, Donegal Hospice and Pieta North West.
Last year was the most successful year to date with a cheque for €18,100 presented to children’s ambulance service Bumbleance.
Set to benefit this year is Donegal Down Syndrome Association.
Mary Whoriskey admitted that at one stage there was uncertainty over whether the display would happen at all this year.
But following deliberation, it was agreed that it should happen.
And work to unravel the countless rows of lights has already begun with help from Michael and Mary’s grandson, five-year-old Ollie.
“We started two weeks ago and we are putting them up at the minute.
“We have started taking them out and checking the smaller stuff. Michael makes the bigger pieces in the workshop and at the minute we are replacing the lights and going through everything piece by piece.
“We have Ollie helping us, we call him our Christmas lights inspector and we are just getting into it and making sure everything is in working order.”
The packed Santa shed at the Kerrykeel home of Michael and Mary Whoriskey.
Online donations
A new and highly lucrative addition to the annual project has been an online donation portal. It was introduced a few years ago but only really took hold last year when it pulled in over €3,000.
Looking forward to lighting up for the festive season, Mary Whoriskey added, “We had to put a lot of thought into it this year and it was actually someone from the Donegal News who rang and asked were we doing it. I was caught on the hop but in that split decision I said we are going for it.”
The Whoriskey lights will be illuminated from Saturday December 3 at 6pm.
Donations can be made in person or online at www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/WhoriskeysChristmasLights
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