Dublin, Ireland Dec 2, 2024 (Issuewire.com) - Almost 300 volunteers from across Ireland have registered to support the centenary edition of the Christmas Day Dinner, one of the largest and oldest running Irish charity events on Christmas Day. This special celebration will once again take place at the RDS, Dublin on Christmas Day!
On the 1st of October each year, the Knights of St. Columbanus, the Catholic order organising the event every year since 1924, open their Christmas Day Dinner website – www.christmasdaydinner.com - for volunteer registrations. Within days, registration reached capacity, with an overwhelming response from many feeling grateful for an opportunity to give something back on Christmas Day!
The volunteers will help in the RDS by providing a festive three course meal of soup, traditional Christmas dinner, Christmas pudding and mild refreshments for up to 550 people in need of support in Dublin. Entertainment will be provided by musicians, dancers and some special guest artists this year.
With the assistance of partners such as Alone, St. Vincent de Paul, Simon, Age Action, Dublin City and a number of other groups who provide transport, volunteers will deliver over 5,500 takeaway meals, and festive gift bags containing seasonal treats, to the less fortunate in their own homes.
The need for the RDS event and takeaway dinners is increasing every year, reflecting the difficulties experienced by the community in these serious economic conditions. This is particularly evident when considering the rising cost of housing in Ireland, which is becoming increasingly unaffordable for many families who are unable to buy or rent a home.
Recent data from the Department of Housing has once again highlighted this concerning trend. By the end of the third quarter of 2024, 14,760 individuals in Ireland were accessing emergency accommodation, with 10,701 of them based in Dublin- a 14% year-on-year increase.
In September alone, 4,561 of those in emergency accommodation were children.
Overall, the statistic shows a 15% increase in individuals accessing emergency accommodation in Ireland over the past 12 months.
The figures become more worrying if we consider that this data only includes those living in emergency accommodation and does not account for those sleeping rough, such as people sleeping in cars, tents, stations and other unsuitable conditions.
Trevor Macnamara, Chairman of the Christmas Day Dinner Committee, remarked on the event's resilience, marking its centenary, and the crucial role played by donors, sponsors, and the brigade of dedicated volunteers.
"We invite anyone in need to celebrate Christmas Day at the RDS with us. The welcome will be genuine, the meal delicious, the entertainment uplifting and best of all, everything is free - no tickets or reservations are required" said Mr. Macnamara.
He continued, "The event is entirely run by volunteers, but rising costs are affecting our ability to maintain the high standards we continue to uphold. With your support, however, we can continue providing a warm, free meal to anyone in need on this most special of days”.
Businesses and individuals can donate directly to the Christmas Day Dinner by clicking this link: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/ChristmasDayDinner
Entrance to the RDS is from Anglesea Road and the Christmas Day Dinner starts at 10:30am. The organising committee will provide a free coach shuttle service to and from the RDS from pick up locations at Dawson Street opposite Mansion House; Four Courts Quay/Buildings; and O’Connell Street under Clery’s Clock. The free coach shuttle service will operate every 20 minutes from 9:30am until 11.30am. Coaches will return to the city centre from the RDS up to 2pm.
The comfortable surroundings of the RDS will contribute to an atmosphere of celebration for Christmas Day and the Knights of St. Columbanus are extremely grateful to the members of the Royal Dublin Society and the RDS Management team for their continued support.
For further information, please contact; Andrea Iadarola, Christmas Day Dinner Committee at +353 87 462 4822 or email cdd.media@knightsofstcolumbanus.ie
Notes to the Editor:
Training for Volunteers – Sunday, 1st December 2024
Training for the 300 volunteers takes place on Sunday, 1st December 2024 in Ely House, 8 Ely Place, Dublin2. Attendance at this training is mandatory. There will be three presentation sessions – 12 Noon, 1 pm and 2 pm. At each session, volunteers will be:
- Provided with the history of the Christmas Day Dinner and how we endeavour to provide for all those in need of our support on Christmas Day.
- Provided with an awareness of health and safety issues.
- Provided with an overview of each of the many tasks.
- Provided with a Volunteer Admission Card (VAC) to the RDS. The Volunteer Admission Card gives the time for the volunteer to arrive at the RDS, the task to be performed and the duration of the task. A volunteer must present a VAC to gain entry to the RDS on Christmas Day.
Press photographers and journalists are invited to meet volunteers and managers in Ely House before any of the three training sessions.
Please contact Andrea Iadarola (cdd.media@knightsofstcolumbanus.ie) or call/WhatsApp at +353 87 462 4822 to coordinate attendance and interviews with volunteers.
Christmas Day Dinner in the RDS
By prior arrangement, press photographers and journalists are invited to meet the Knights of St. Columbanus Christmas Day Dinner committee and volunteers in the RDS on Christmas Day from 11am. The Archbishop of Dublin is expected at 10:30am and the Lord Mayor of Dublin is expected at approximately 12.15pm.
Picture N. 1 Christmas Day Dinner previous edition, with volunteers cheerfully preparing takeaway meals for those in need.
Video of previous inductions available at: Christmas Day Dinner Volunteer Induction
More pictures are available on request.
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(former Twitter): @ChristmasDD ChristmasDaydinnerKnightsStColumbanus
:Christmasdaydinnerksc: Christmas Day Dinner Knights of St. Columbanus
Media Contact
Christmas Day Dinner Knights of St Columbanus cdd.media@knightsofstcolumbanus.ie http://Christmasdaydinner.com
