A FAVOURITE festive tradition has returned to Monaleen this past week, marking the official start of Christmas for those in the know, and all in the name of a good cause.
Tony Bradley’s Christmas window has become a well-known festive attraction in the area and across Limerick over the past number of years, with toys and a cheery Christmas scene taking over one of the windows of his Monaleen home.
Mr Bradley launched his 2024 display this past Friday (December 6), aiming to raise money for the Monaleen Cancer Support Group.
Speaking to the Limerick Post, Mr Bradley said that the multifaceted window display originally started as just a Christmas lights display.
“I started putting some lights out in the garden about 20 years or so ago, and then I felt that I could do more. I reduced the lights in the garden and concentrated on doing a window display that I felt would be more appropriate for people to come out to see – for the kids especially – and that’s what it’s all about.
“I’ve been doing the window from about 2011 and it has grown each year since,” Mr Bradley said.
The display features toys and decorations that originally came from the US, but now the Monaleen man uses exclusively European toys, changing up the display each year to make sure there’s always something new to see.
“At this stage, I could do maybe about four window displays with all the stuff that I have,” he quipped.
What started off as something to light up people’s Christmas, has since turned into an important annual fundraising event, with the Monaleen Cancer Support Group being the beneficiary of the display for the past number of years.
The local charity is one close to Tony’s heart, as his wife passed away five years ago after a battle with cancer.
“The Monaleen Cancer Support Group is a really great volunteer group in the area, where they help families going through cancer. My own wife died just five years ago, and they would have been in touch with me at that stage. Up to then, I wouldn’t have been that familiar with the work that they do,” he explained.
“Even though I didn’t avail of any of their services, I want to get the word out more to people of the work that these people do, and create an awareness in the area for them, it’s not just about money for them,” Mr Bradley said.
Each year, Tony’s Christmas window raises between €3,000 and €4,000 for the local group, with a donation box available for kids and adults to leave a message along with their donation.
Each evening, Tony leaves out a box of chocolates for people who come to see the display, with SuperValu coming on board to sponsor the sweet treats this year.
Tony Bradley’s Christmas window is now on display for all to see in Heatherdale, Monaleen, and will run until January 6.
