Photography

Charitable cheer and festive funds as householders mount Christmas displays for worthy causes

Lighting up your house with eye-catching Christmas decorations and then soliciting donations for charity is an essential winter activity for some householders

William Tilly at his festively decorated house on Bath Avenue, Dublin, which has over many years generated €193,000 for Our Lady’s Hospice. Mr Tilly now has a QR code that people can use to donate with. Photograph: Barry Cronin

Dara Mac Dónaill
Nick Bradshaw
Barry Cronin
Tue Dec 19 2023 - 15:48

Every year, people light up their houses over the Christmas season, bringing festive cheer to local communities and beyond. The Irish Times has visited some of the best displays in the capital that are raising vital funds for charity.

William Tilly, now in his late 80s, has been lighting up his house on Bath Avenue, Dublin, in aid of Our Lady’s Hospice and Care Services for nearly three decades and has raised a total of €193,000 since he started fundraising. Mr Tilly has also added a QR code for online payments.

Josephine Leonard’s Josie’s Xmas Lights in Crumlin, Dublin, raises money for various charities annually. This year’s chosen charity is Dolphins Barn Fire Station, which has nominated Oscar’s Kids Ireland to be the recipient on their behalf.

Dylan Walsh and his neighbours in Finglas light up their houses to support two charities. Willow’s Army, set up by Ross and Elaine O’Shaughnessy, the parents of Willow, who died in June this year from cancer, is raising money for St John’s Ward in Crumlin Children’s Hospital, and the second charity is Hear Me Out Project, a mental health counselling service for young people in the Finglas community run by the Finglas Youth Resource Centre.

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This will be the last year Phil Corcoran and Paddy Toner’s House of Christmas Lights, on Weston Crescent in Lucan, will put on their display. They have been taking donations for charity for the last seven years and are appealing for donations to Laura Lynn, Ireland’s Children’s Hospice.

William Tilly's house on Bath Avenue, which has over three decades generated €193,000 for Our Lady’s Hospice with its festive lighting displays. Photograph: Barry Cronin

William Tilly at his house on Bath Avenue, Dublin, lit up with Christmas lights for charity yet again this year. Photograph: Barry Cronin

William Tilly and his granddaughter Hannah checking over their festive display. Photograph: Barry Cronin

Josie's Christmas Lights in Crumlin, Dublin, raising money for Dolphins Barn Fire Station. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw

Aoife (3) and Tom (2) Farnan, from James Street, Dublin, visiting Josie's Christmas Lights in Crumlin, Dublin. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw

Winter wonderland: Josie's Christmas Lights in Crumlin. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw

Emily (15) and Olivia (9) Geoghegan from Greenhills, Dublin, at Josie's Christmas Lights in Crumlin. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw

Dylan Walsh and his 8-month-old son Max with the Christmas lights display outside their home and those of his neighbours in Finglas, Dublin, raising money for Willow's Army and Hear Me Out Project. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

Christmas lights at the home of Dylan Walsh and his neighbours in Finglas, Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

Christmas lights outside the home of Dylan Walsh and neighbours in Finglas, Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

This will be the last year Phil Corcoran and Paddy Toner’s House of Christmas Lights, on Weston Crescent in Lucan, will put on their display. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw

Phil Corcoran and Paddy Toner’s House of Christmas Lights, in Lucan, appealing for donations to LauraLynn, Ireland’s Children’s Hospice. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw

The House of Christmas Lights in Lucan, Dublin. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw

Phil Corcoran and Paddy Toner’s House of Christmas Lights has been taking donations for charity for the last seven years. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw

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