Christmas in Cork: Toys, lights, children's choirs — and an elf we're all trying to find
Christel and Wyon Stansfeld at Pinocchio’s on Paul St in Cork are at the heart of the Christmas magic: 'We have to sort out problems for Santa all the time,' says Wyon. Picture: Noel Sweeney
St Patrick’s Street in Cork is bursting with life as shoppers frantically buy last minute-gifts, families soak up the festive atmosphere, and preparations are in full swing for the most magical time of the year.
The met some of those on Santa’s nice list who are adding to the Christmas magic and keeping the streets clean and safe for everyone.
It is a particularly special time for Garda Jack Waters, who is spending his first Christmas on the beat in Cork City.
The community garda was accompanied by his colleagues Shauna Collins and Lorraine O’Donovan on what had been a productive morning for Cork’s finest.
Jack says one of the most rewarding parts of his job is hearing from older people who feel safe enough to come into town again due to a strengthened Garda presence.
The end of last month saw the launch of An Garda Síochána’s high-visibility policing plan for the city, with the Cork City Division gaining an additional 48 gardaí and an increase in foot patrols in the city centre.
While Jack’s biggest festive wish is for a crime-free Christmas, he does have one extra request for Santa.
“I would love new work boots,” he says.
“The soles are worn off them from going on the beat — but my step count is high which is good!”
And if his wish comes true, will it be enough to top the Christmas present he got from his grandmother some years ago? He says:
“She thought I was obsessed with them which wasn’t the case. I think one of my uncles told her I was a fan.”
The Cork man is looking forward to some much-deserved time off on Christmas Day.
“My mam is cooking turkey but I’ll make the honey-glazed carrots.”
Meanwhile, Garda Lorraine O’Donovan was embracing the positive atmosphere.
She says the high-visibility policy plan and rise in the number of foot patrols are having a real impact.
“We are getting such positive feedback from businesses who say there is a reduction in theft and antisocial behaviour.”
Unfortunately, there is one criminal still evading capture, despite the best efforts of An Garda Síochána.
“The elf on the shelf seems to be a bit of a blaggard when it comes to the toilet paper," she said.
"We are getting reports that he is firing it down the stairs and decorating Christmas trees with it, as well as cutting out Christmas patterns with it and hanging it around photographs.”
Still, there was nothing that could dampen John Moore’s spirits as he went about his job of getting the streets as clean as possible for Christmas. He says:
"You are meeting a lot of people who you normally wouldn’t meet.
"I’ve been in this job 23 years and I like being out and about.
"Some people will come over and say 'you’re doing a great job, the place is looking very clean' and that’s always nice to hear. We are getting better. People are more aware.
“That said, I don’t think I’ll ever be out of a job.
"If you saw the streets on a Friday morning after the students have been out you will see how filthy it gets.
"I get up at 4.30am and start working at 6am. I usually have it clean just in time for when people are heading into work at 9am.”
One of Cork’s best known buskers, violinist Tibor Bana from Hungary, was entertaining passers-by with his impressive repertoire.
“I love playing at Christmas,” he says.
“There is a very nice atmosphere. Some people tell me that my music makes them feel like they are in Vienna because I play a lot of Strauss.
"Christmas has always been a simple time for me.
"My family weren’t rich so I always got basic gifts like pyjamas, a jumper, or gloves.
"That was OK because the best present for me was having my whole family together eating dinner.”
Wyon Stansfeld, who runs Pinocchio’s Toys and Gifts on Paul St, was tending to customers cramming in some last-minute Christmas shopping.
“It’s a continuous case of restocking for people and a continuous case of answering multitudes of questions which is great because it is all part of the fun," he said:
“This year the most popular toy for girls is Maileg, who is a mouse that comes in a matchbox.
"Trains are always popular for boys. They never go out of fashion.
"We have to sort out problems for Santa all the time and he doesn’t half get asked some complicated questions.
“The shop has been here for 42 years and we’ve been here for 32.
"It’s almost unquantifiable how much has changed during that period. However, there are some things that never change.
"Every one-year-old still has to learn how to stack.
"They still have to learn to pull things behind them. Even when parents say their child is great with an iPhone, they still have to learn basic skills like shape sorting and filling.
"I don’t think these toys will ever die out despite what some people believe.”
Meanwhile, the kids from Cork Educate Together on Grattan St made the city their stage as they performed Christmas songs for passers-by:
The school was raising vital funds for charities close to their hearts including children’s charity Unicef, women’s refuge Edel House, and Cork ARC, an organisation for people with cancer and their families.
Freya Flanagan, 12, was overwhelmed by the public reaction. “I like how people’s faces light up when they see us sing,” she says. “It’s lovely to see our families here to support us too.”
Her classmate Molly McCloskey-Vardy, 12, was also glad to lend her voice to the event. “I love singing. The best present I ever got for Christmas was a microphone. It was really special because my parents know how much I like to sing. This year I have asked for a CD player. I love CDs. My dad is a DJ so he has lots of them.”
Not far away, customers at the English Market were singing the praises of Tom Durcan’s famous spiced beef, which is always in high demand for Christmas.
“There’s a nice atmosphere, but it’s stressful as we are doing a lot of work in such a short period of time,” says Tom.
“Because we are so well known for our spiced beef at this stage we are trying to maintain that standard and make sure that everyone goes away happy.
"That’s really important to us.
"I’m really looking forward to Christmas this year but I’m most looking forward to the pint in Cronin’s Pub in Crosshaven on Christmas Eve.”
Street performer Gerry Barry, who forms one half of the Funky Leprechauns duo with his nephew Damian, has reinvented himself as an elf for the festive period.
In between costume changes, he says: “We dress up as elves which creates a nice vibe for the public at Christmas.
"It’s less pressure than Santa because elves are more low-key.
"I love the moments you don’t expect.
"It’s lovely when the schools are out because they’ll start Christmas songs. When this happens we become the audience and they become the entertainers.”
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