For those who think that auctioning unwanted Christmas gifts on eBay is a little unseemly, the Dublin diocese may have the answer. Since the weekend, Dublin's pro-cathedral has been accepting unwanted Christmas presents with a view to redistributing them to more grateful recipients.
The Epiphany Gift Initiative was also held last year and attracted hundreds of unwanted gifts. A large collection of toys was taken to Argentina and Brazil by the crew of the LE Eithne and were distributed to a number of children's hospitals.
The initiative was launched at the weekend and has already attracted a large number of donations, according to Fr Pat O'Donoghue. "So far we have mainly received perfumes, toys and books," he said. "We expect it to be very successful this year." The pro-cathedral on Marlborough Street will be accepting unwrapped gifts all this week. Fr O'Donoghue said it had not yet been decided where the gifts would go this year but Lebanon was being considered as Irish troops were serving there.
He said this Christmas had been one of the busiest he could ever recall at the pro-cathedral and the Christmas Eve Mass was one of the best-attended in 20 years. "The new immigrant population in the city centre has undoubtedly added to the numbers attending," Fr O'Donoghue said.
Hundreds of visitors have also called to the cathedral to see the elaborate Caltagirone crib, which features moving figures, lights and water.
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