Christmas Comes To Ardoyne, Belfast City 1972

Despite conflict in Northern Ireland, the Ardoyne Community in Belfast are getting into the Christmas spirit. Around the Ardoyne district of north Belfast there are army fortifications, barbed wire and army observation posts. While this does not look very festive, the local community are doing their best to create a Christmas atmosphere. The local people have done something to arrange a Christmas time for the children that they otherwise wouldn't have. They have set up their own Christmas grotto in the Holy Cross Church parish hall. Children are given gifts and there is a bazaar to help subsidise the venture. A local man is carrying out Santa duties in the grotto. Organising Christmas for the children in Ardoyne has been a pleasure because, They're going to get a bit of enjoyment because they can't go down into the city of Belfast you know without the fear of bombs. Keeping Christmas events local is also beneficial for parents as they know their children are safe. The Christmas events in Ardoyne are not just for the young. For adults there will be a parish dinner dance in aid of the old age pensioners Christmas dinner fund. Which gives the children, the middle age and the old age their fair share, and their opportunity to make good and get over all these Troubles. An RTÉ News report broadcast on 29 November 1972. The reporter is Kevin Myers.