A 99-year-old great great granny brought festive cheer to her village when she switched on the Christmas lights.
A crowd of 100 people gathered in Ballinaboola, Wexford as matriarch Kitty Cosgrave turned on the lights of the area’s first ever community Christmas tree.
Mum-of-13 Kitty grew up in New Ross but has been living in the Ballinaboola since the middle of the 20th century.
Kitty who has 49 grandchildren, 57 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren, was honoured to turn on the lights.
Her daughter Bernadette beamed: “There has never been a Christmas tree in Ballinaboola before.
"She was really delighted and said it was an honour and a privilege for her. It was a really nice occasion.
“She was a bit overwhelmed but was delighted to have her family with her, including her grandchildren from Kildare who travelled to be with her.”
Bernadette said her mother is in great health.
She added: “She still lives at home and I stay with her every night and one of my sisters is over with her every day. She has family around her at weekends.”
Despite the cold weather and rain, spirits were high and Kitty was thrilled to receive the gift of a neatly wrapped box of chocolates from Santa as she looks forward to her 99th Christmas.
Organised by local man Pat Byrne, the event saw over 100 people gather at a section of grass opposite the Horse & Hound hotel following news coming through that Rathgarogue Cushinstown won the Leinster football final.
