In pictures: Letterkenny and District Christmas Annual launch its 44th edition

The 44th edition of the Letterkenny and District Christmas Annual was launched in the new Jim Lynch Community Building at the Community Centre. Please click on the arrows to go through the gallery

First introduced in 1982 as a fundraiser for the then newly opened Community Centre, the popular Annual had continued for 43 years as a seasonal favourite for Townies everywhere, becoming as traditional as turkey, crackers and Brussels sprouts.

Edited once again by Kieran Kelly, this year’s edition was packed with articles, photographs, quizzes, poetry and a range of features designed to keep readers entertained throughout the festive season.

“The whole idea of the Annual is to bring the community together,” Kieran said. “It was first envisaged as a sort of review of the year locally, with history articles on the town and old photos from years gone by. But over the years, it grew into so much more. It became a celebration of all things Letterkenny – the past, present and future of the town.”

Spanning 200 pages, the Annual remained filled with articles and photographs kindly submitted by members of the public.

“We just wouldn’t be able to get it out without the kindness and generosity of the local donors,” Kieran added. “I want to thank them sincerely for taking the time to write their pieces or send in their photos. The Annual is very much made by the people of Letterkenny, for the people of Letterkenny … and beyond.”

The publication’s long-running popularity had seen it posted around the world—from Scotland to the United States, and from Japan to Australia. With that in mind, organisers launched it at the end of November, giving people ample time to meet Christmas postal deadlines so their loved ones abroad could receive it in time for the holidays.

“We were all delighted with this year’s edition,” Kieran said. “We have the usual reviews of the year—from local sports clubs, the theatre and many others—mixed with historical features, beautiful poetry by local writers, quizzes, crosswords and much more. We have personal recollections of growing up in the town and, of course, the fantastic photos of years gone by, showing how the town has changed. We also take time to remember just some of the many local characters we lost over the past year.”

This year’s launch was especially fitting, taking place in the new Jim Lynch Community Building. The late Jim Lynch, a former Town Councillor, had edited the Annual for 37 editions.

“The Annual is synonymous with Jim Lynch- they go hand in hand,” Kieran said. “Jim was very much a man of the community, involved in countless aspects of life in Letterkenny, but it is arguably as the driving force behind the Christmas Annual that he will be most fondly remembered. I am the current custodian of the editorship, but I know I’m standing in mighty big shoes. His legacy is assured with the new building bearing his name, so we knew we simply had to launch the Annual there this year. We hope Jim is smiling down on us.”