Mulranny welcomes home emigrants for Christmas

Mulranny welcomes home emigrants for annual occasion


Leanne Loftus

The ANNUAL Christmas Dinner and get-together of St. Brendan’s Unit, Mulranny along with people from the wider community of Mulranny take place on Thursday, December 2 in the Mulranny/Tiernaur Amenity Centre.
There will be many people attending this special dinner including locals, people from St Brendan’s and special guests who emigrated to England and have returned home to attend the celebration. Mulranny day centre housing company will host the party.
Dr Jerry Cowley, chairman of St. Brendan’s Village and his hard working staff advertise this event in the English newspapers. Dr Cowley and his team also work with the programme ‘Aisling Return To Ireland’, under the Aisling project.
Dr Cowley, with this organisation, helps Irish emigrants in England who would like to come to Mulranny for a week’s holiday and attend the Christmas Dinner as special guests.
“We also work with The National Patriotic Association of Ireland, throughout the year. The headquarters of this association are in Mulranny. We help to bring emigrants who would like to come home permanently to anywhere in the 26 counties in Ireland. 
“Christmas is a time of mixed emotions for the elderly,” added Dr  Cowley.
“Of course it can be a lonely time for them and can bring back memories of yesteryear, for others though it is a joyous occasion for them that they can enjoy being with their grandchildren and family.”
This Christmas Dinner allows many elderly people the chance to have a very enjoyable time and a chance to catch up with old friends.
“We always give our emigrants who have returned home a great reception, which they love,” said Dr Cowley, who also reminded people to check in on their elderly neighbours, and make sure they have everything they need, especially in this cold weather.
There will be plenty of music, craic and stories at this annual Christmas Dinner and get-together. Everybody, young and old, welcome.

Leanne Loftus, a student of the Sacred Heart School in Westport, was on work experience at The Mayo News.