Kilnamanagh Christmas house on target to raise more than €3,000

By Mary Dennehy

A KILNAMANAGH family which has been raising money for charities through an annual Christmas spectacle in their garden is on track to raise more than €3,000 this year.

Stephen Stroughair plugged his first outdoor light in 20 years ago, and is now illuminating the Tallaght skyline with festive lighting and decorations that come from as far away as America.

Families are invited to visit what has become a Christmas tradition, with the display thronged with people on Christmas Eve – who all came to visit the new elves added to the scene.

Stephen told The Echo: “We’ve raised more than €3,000 so far this year, so we’re expecting to beat the €3,000 we raised in 2015.

“I started doing this 20 years ago and it just keeps getting bigger and bigger.

“I get my lights from everywhere, from the local hardware to America… and having started using LED lights which are more energy efficient.

“This year we introduced new elves to the garden and a new crib, plus we had Santa down to visit for Christmas Eve and had the snow machine going.”

Over the years, the family has donated the money raised to the DSPCA, the National Children’s Hospital at Tallaght, Our Lady’s Children’s hospital Crumlin and the CRY [Cardiac Risk in the Young] clinic in Tallaght Hospital.

“Everybody has been really generous again this year and we’d like to say a big thank you”, Stephen said.

“People can make donations up until January 6, when we’ll announce what charities the money will be donated to.”

Stephen’s winter wonderland will remain illuminated until January 6.