I have lived in Leicester in the East Midlands of England for over 47 years. I am involved with a vibrant Irish community in Leicester through Comhaltas CeoltóirI Éireann, the Irish Language Group and Set Dancers.  All the generations of the Irish community have really supported the wider Irish community and those connected here in Leicester during this past year.

The poem I have recited is taken from my school book (early 1960s) at St Theresa’s National School Kilkelly Co. Mayo.  The poem really recalls for me seeing the candles in neighbours’ windows as we made our way home from Kilkelly on Christmas Eve, my mother and neighbours having purchased their Christmas fare, with the Christmas box from the shopkeepers and me and my friends feeling the joys of Christmas after having sung carols in the town to collect money for the St Vincent De Paul Society.  We’d look forward to seeing our lighted candle in the window and a bread and jam tea by the open fire. Every Christmas Eve, I continue to place a lighted candle on my window in Leicester.