Since 2019, Strokestown Town Team with the support of Roscommon County Council have injected new life and vibrancy into the town. Huge investment has been made into the ‘Making Strokestown Bright Again’ project following a period of time when the lights went out due to Covid-19.
Year on year the lights have been expanded and now, for many, they mark the beginning of Christmas as people travelling make their way west for the holidays from the east coast or passing back from Ireland West International Airport in Knock.
The lights committee continue to improve and enhance the display year on year with donations from across the globe showing the connections that remain with Strokestown despite the distance some people are from home.
Once again this year, the enchanting Victorian Christmas experience returns to Strokestown Park House. As ever, visitors can experience the delightful Elf Quarter where friendly elves delight children with holiday surprises, to the cosy fireside chats with Santa himself.
The Victorian Christmas Experience includes a journey through magical Elf Tunnel, an adventure with Elf Figgy to Elf Headquarters, some fun with Mrs Claus in the Galleried Kitchen, fireside chats with Santa in the Grand Library as well as woodland games with the Elf Cobbler.
Children are also invited to make their own Christmas Tree decoration to take home with help from the Christmas Angel and enjoy a warming hot drink of one’s choice in the festive surroundings of the Woodland Cafe.
The Santa Experience includes the aforementioned guided theatrical experience, a token gift per child or infant, handcrafted woodland games and craft-making and a host festive drink. A limited number of tickets are still available. For more, visit www.strokestownpark.ie.
This year has been yet another good one for Strokestown Park House with visitor numbers continuing to increase. The amenity, Ireland’s National Famine Museum was extensively refurbished in 2022 and continues to attract strong domestic and international visitor numbers.
On the GAA playing fields, it has been an exceptional year with Strokestown’s intermediate footballers returning to the senior championship football grade after winning this year’s Jimmy Murray Cup before then going on to savour success at provincial level with a great win over Kilmeena of Mayo.
Yet another highlight of this year’s festive celebrations in Strokestown will be the Christmas Charity Tractor Run through the town on Sunday, December 21st. This year’s event will support the Kilglass Sick Children’s Fund and Pieta House Darkness Into Light. Proceeds raised will be donated to Beaumont Hospital.
This year’s main run begins from 4.30 pm with the kids’ run, with the main event starting at 5 pm. The evening will conclude with a social event in the Percy French Hotel with music by The Late Night Radio Band, marking the beginning of the Christmas season. The event is also a spectacular festival of lights which illuminates the town and generates great excitement among young and old.
Registration for this year’s Strokestown Christmas Charity Run takes place from 2 pm on the day of the event – from Strokestown Community Centre (F42 H516). The support of participants and the community at large is always greatly appreciated.
Strokestown Town Team are working on a number of projects, all centred around the Town Centre First Plan-Strokestown 2040. The Town Team hope to see investment continue to bring people to the region and are delighted to see some recent involvement from young people with some bright ideas that will make the town more accessible and easier to get around.
Recently, Strokestown Tidy Towns Committee were honoured with an award in the Best Tidy Estates category in the Best First Impressions category at the annual Greener Spaces Awards, organised by the Environment Department of Roscommon County Council.
With lots of fine artisan and gift shops to suit the discerning Christmas shopper, as well as a range of family-run businesses offering an extensive range of goods and services, Strokestown has much to offer, away from the hustle and bustle of many larger urban centres.
There are also a number of places in Strokestown where one can having a relaxing coffee or drink in for the festive season, enjoy an indulgent lunch or else simply catch up with family and friends in the lead-up to Christmas.
Like all towns in the county, Strokestown offers free unlimited parking to all visitors, in a safe and stress-free environment. Strokestown Town Team in conjunction with Roscommon County Council wish all the people living in Strokestown, its immediate vicinity or our diaspora who remain proud sons and daughters of Strokestown a safe, peaceful Christmas.
Members of the Walsh family pictured at the Christmas display at Strokestown House on Saturday. Photo: Michael Finan
