The Tallaght woman behind Santa’s Magical Fireplace

If you have ever had to try and explain to your little ones how Santa comes to deliver presents to people who have no fireplace or chimney, one former Tallaght resident has the answer.

Originally from Jobstown, Avril Nolan (Williams) came up with the idea of Santa’s Magical Fireplace just 12 weeks ago, and since then the wheels of production have been in overdrive.

The idea is that the magical fireplace, sprinkled with magic dust on Christmas Eve, grows to be four foot tall just in time for Santa’s arrival.

The product has been an instant success, and fills a real need many parents have when trying to explain to their curious children how Santa delivers presents when there is no fireplace or chimney in the family home.

Speaking to Echo.ie, Avril said she never knew what she wanted to be when she was young, but now she knows she wants to be an entrepreneur, and so every day she tries to develop new ideas.

Avril said: “Only 12 weeks ago I came across a forum, ‘how does Santa get into your home if you don’t have a fireplace?’.

“I thought, here’s the gap I can fill. I quickly decided how I was going to do this.

“The next morning I rang a friend of mine Cormac Lally, a well-known poet, asking him to write me a book, and an hour later I was at the credit union pitching my idea, which they loved.

Cormac Lally’s story was then illustrated by Patrick Rabbitte, and once the fireplaces were beautifully crafted, the idea had come to life.

Avril has already had national coverage, featuring on TV3’s Ireland AM, while the real reason for the magical fireplace has not been forgotten either, with a huge amount of them given to the sick children in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin.

You can check out Santa’s Magical Fireplaces on Facebook or on their website.