Santa House light show warms the hearts in Birr

WHEN it comes to Christmas decorations, the Gray family are the country’s leading lights.Their Birr, Co Offaly home — known far and wide as Santa House — acts as a magnet that attracts people from many parts who come to watch and marvel at the unrivalled display.

"I do it for the grand kids," says mother-of-seven Margaret Gray. "I do it for other kids as well, to make them feel more Christmas-like inside their little souls."

While visitors standing spellbound at the spectacular scene outside, the interior of the house is another wonderland with no less than 12 Santas, big and small, moving around or singing festive songs.

"Loads of people come from everywhere from Limerick, Cork, Galway, Ballinasloe, Nenagh, Roscrea bringing their kids to see it at night time, all lit up," says 64-year-old Margaret.

Outside the Gray home, big plastic figures of the holy family catch the visitor's eye. There are two big Christmas trees, massive bells, shooting stars. Margaret herself lights up as she describes with pride and joy, a massive angel with big wings, holding a candle, who tells the story of Baby Jesus.

Work begins on setting the festive scene a month before Christmas, ensuring her display is in place in good time. This year she estimates it must have cost 1,500 but it's worth it for the joy it brings young and old. The Grays are a big hit with their neighbours who bring their children down every night for the best free show in town.

Born in Borrisokane, Co Tipperary, Margaret recalls her own family had "nothing like that" when she, her sister and two brothers were growing up. Her brother William stores the Christmas decorations she buys in England. He keeps them in his garage and brings them across during summer holidays.

"Visitors say that they've never seen anything like it in their lives, that it's absolutely beautiful. The people who come from all over are strangers."

Her electricity bill soars around the Christmas, but Margaret manages. Like her husband Joseph, 70, she has never smoked or taken alcohol preferring to spend their money on helping to bringing joy into the lives of others.

"Having the grand kids with me and to see them playing with their toys is the most important thing of all," she says.