Christmas festival draws thousands to historic Cathedral

Tony and Aileen Moore say the displays are a "labour of love"

A retro festive living room, a recycled egg carton Christmas tree and a Victorian era model village are among the Christmas curios that have drawn thousands of people to one of Northern Ireland's most historic churches.

St Columb's Cathedral's Christmas festival has been running in Londonderry throughout the month of December.

It comes to a close on Saturday, by which time organisers estimate close to 4,000 people will have come through the doors of the cathedral.

"People have told us they have been blown away by the festival and some of the feedback we have received has just been lovely," the cathedral's parish administrator Robert McMonigle said.

The centrepiece in the Cathedral is George Key's Victorian Christmas Village, complete with moving trains and hot air balloons.

Built in 1633, the gothic St Columb's Cathedral was the first Anglican cathedral built in Ireland after the Reformation.

Its Christmas festival is now among many people's highlights on Derry's festive calendar.

Among the displays is a collection of hand-made mice Christmas carollers

The cathedral is awash with the bespoke Christmas trees, dioramas and vintage toys that make up the displays.

They have been created by charities, schools, sports clubs, community groups and businesses as well as by some of the city's most creative individuals.

'Our Christmas tradition'

Headwear from the Sollus Highland Dancers are also on display

Tony and Aileen Moore say a Christmas trip to St Columb's is a must whether you are a local or a visitor to the city.

"This has become our Christmas tradition over the last few years," Aileen told BBC News NI.

"It is mesmerising what people can do, what they can make from nothing. The ideas here are just fantastic".

Labour of love

Both agree the miniature Victorian Christmas village, complete with moving trains and hot air balloons, is the festival's showstopper.

"It is just fabulous," Tony said.

"You can tell this is a labour of love. Look at the time and effort that has gone into this. It is here for the whole community, so many more people should come here and see this," he said.

Recreate a simpler time

George Keys has recreated a 1960s Christmas living room complete with Chopper bicycle.

The Victorian village and the nostalgia filled recreation of a 1960s living room are the work of George Keys.

He is an avid collector who hopes his displays brings people a bit more festive cheer.

George told BBC Radio Foyle's Mark Patterson Show that he wanted to recreate a simpler time and also evoke memories of Christmas from years ago.

"Myself and my wife travelled around so many charity shops across Northern Ireland to pick up everything so it took a lot of time.

"It will bring back happy memories for anyone who does see the display," he said.

"There are memories everywhere you look. We have dollhouses, old annuals, bikes and even the Christmas tree is decorated with vintage decorations and lights from the time."

'The whole atmosphere changes'

Rhonda Styles is among the band of volunteers helping visitors navigate their way around the displays

Rhonda Styles and Liz Fielding are among the cathedral volunteers showing visitors around during the festival's run.

"We have had a very good response from the public", Rhonda said, adding that "it has been so pleasing to see so many people come through the doors".

"We've had people, even from the city, who have said to me that this has been their first time coming up to the cathedral and they have been overwhelmed by the displays," she added.

Wonderful to see a full church

Volunteer Liz Fielding says the festival wouldn't be possible without people's creativity and hard work

Liz said the festival's success has been down to the hard work put in by so many people.

"Getting the numbers back in the cathedral since Covid has been a struggle, but having a lot of people back in the building - the whole atmosphere changes -it's just wonderful," she said.

A Christmas tree made entirely from recycled egg cartons is among the exhibits

The festival runs until 21 December and is free to attend.