Hundreds fed by charity at Christmas Day dinner

More than 350 volunteers helped serve Christmas dinners and deliver food to those in need for the 91st Annual Knights of St Columbanus Christmas Day dinner in Dublin today.

Many services do not operate on Christmas Day and many poor and homeless people are left with no resources and no where to go.

More than 450 guests were served a three-course meal of soup, traditional Christmas dinner, Christmas pudding, mild refreshments and entertainment at the RDS.

The event, also attended by Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin, has been organised by the lay Catholic organisation every year since 1924 and it continues to see a significant increase in demand every year.

In addition to the 450 dinners served at the RDS, some 2,100 Christmas dinners and Christmas puddings were prepared and delivered to the homes of the poor throughout Dublin.

Volunteers packed “goody bags” with food, toiletries, soft drinks and household goods with each of the 2,100 takeaway meals to help the poor and homeless during Christmas Day and on St Stephens Day.

"The volunteers play a tremendous part in ensuring the smooth running of the Christmas Day dinner. The generosity of the volunteers, with their time at Christmas is astonishing year after year," said Adrian King, chairman for the Christmas Day Dinner.

"Already the quota for volunteers has been filled and they have attended a training day in Ely House. This mandatory training day provided the volunteers with an understanding of how their enthusiasm and commitment helps those less fortunate than themselves on this special day in our Church calendar.

“On behalf of our guests we thank them and deeply appreciate their generous co-operation and support. This day would not be possible without their help.”

Transport was provided for guests and entertainment included live music by a Slovakian traditional group, soprano singing, Irish dancing and popular classical music.