10/03/2026
YOW-NÉ HAY T D IT NEIGH !
“You know how to do it now.”
With those words, Yowné the baby goat officially passed the baton on to Dinky the mini donkey, who proudly accepted and steps forward as host of the Tom Giblin Nativity / Christmas Lights 2026 Fundraiser. Having learned the ropes in style, Dinky promises to be suited, booted and well ready to carry the torch for Christmas ’26.
The occasion also marked a special moment as Fr. Ciaran Harkin P.P. Church of the Irish Martyrs, Letterkenny, graciously accepted a cheque for €6624 which was the total amount raised on behalf of the sixteen charities benefiting from this year’s fundraiser. It was a reminder of what this project is truly about: generosity, compassion, and community coming together at Christmas.
Yowné, who was born on the very day of storm Éowyn, proved that even the smallest arrival can make a big impact, hosting the Christmas 2025 fundraiser with great charm and character. From humble beginnings to a much loved local tradition, Christmas ’25 marked the fourth year of the Tom Giblin Nativity / Christmas Lights as a fundraising project - and now we proudly look ahead to Christmas ’26, as we strive in the drive for five.
None of this would be possible without an extraordinary group of people, and heartfelt thanks are due to so many:
To everyone who helped with setting up, often in cold, dark evenings.
To all who assisted on Opening / Switch On evening.
To those who stayed the course through the season.
And to the heroes who turned up again at the dismantle, when the lights finally came down and closing of the stable.
Thank you to those who spread the word through social media, to the media outlets who gave us coverage, and to the many donators, some of whom visited not once, but several times, showing incredible generosity.
Sincere thanks to the local businesses, organisations, and sponsors, to our public representatives for their support, and to the brilliant neighbours whose patience, goodwill, and encouragement made everything run smoothly. To family and friends, who quietly did whatever was needed - and often more - your support never goes unnoticed.
Above all, thank you to everyone who came along, shared a moment, dropped a donation, donated remotely on line, or simply took the time to enjoy the Nativity stable and lights. You are the heart of this project.
The benefiting charities are:
- St Vincent De Paul.
Letterkenny.
- Children s Health Foundation Crumlin/Temple St.
- Pieta House North West.
- Jack & Jill Foundation.
- Little Blue Heroes.
- Irish Wheelchair Association.
- Bumbleance Donegal.
- MS Ireland/Donegal.
- Little Angels School Letterkenny.
- St. Bernadette's Special School, Letterkenny.
- Donegal Hospice.
- Donegal Down Syndrome.
- Bluestack Special Needs Foundation.
- Good & New Cancer Bus Letterkenny.
- Donegal Donkey Sanctuary.
- Alzheimer Society of Ireland/Donegal.
On behalf of Tom Giblin Nativity / Christmas Lights, thank you - truly and sincerely - for making the Christmas ’25 Fundraiser such a success. We look forward with excitement, energy, and gratitude to Christmas ’26, and to doing it all again - together.
