Newcastlewest warms to Winterfest

Newcastlewest immersed itself in the festive spirit last week as it hosted its first Winterfest. The festival was launched by Newcastle West Arts with the opening of the “Rainbow Collection” a showcase of local talent that runs until December 15 in the Red Door Gallery. On Friday the library was not in its usual state of silence thanks to Dorothy DoLittle’s Magical Adventure Puppet Show.  Later that evening, the town was treated to “Christmas Fantasy” a luminous light projection of images and animations onto the facade of the Red Door Gallery.

Saturday was the big day for 250 plus children when Santa arrived and visitors were able to do some Christmas shopping at the Castle and Red Door Market.
On Sunday a multitude of households passed on cooking Sunday lunch to dine at the Red Door Pop Up Restaurant with local restaurants Courtenay Lodge Hotel, Dan Cronin’s Bar and Bistro and the Market Place Brasserie selling out early and restocking to ensure no one went hungry.   Everyone kept warm thanks to the mulled wine by Rathkeale House Hotel and coffees by Coffee Culture.
Highlight of the weekend was the Living Crib organised by the local Pastoral Committee.   The centrepiece was a custom built crib which housed the manger with local babies starring as the Baby Jesus along with their parents as Mary and Joseph.
The majority of events were free but donations were welcome with €900 collected for Pieta House and the Children’s Ark Unit.