A brisk sale in Irish-grown Christmas trees, turkeys ready in Ballymote, teenagers collect for a Cork charity, and meals on wheels planning at the Sligo Social Services Centre.

Coillte the state-owned forestry company sells about thirty thousand Christmas trees annually, and travel as far afield as Belfast and Cork. Prices start at seven pounds for a Lodgepole Pine, but thirteen pounds will get you a very nice Noble Fir. Now that the non-shedding variety is available, Irish-grown Christmas trees are very popular says Joe Moore of Coillte,

I think everyone is going for the real thing nowadays…

Unfortunately for turkey farmers selling at the turkey fair in Ballymote County Sligo business is continuing to decline. Consumers increasingly prefer to buy their turkeys from supermarkets, says Mark Toursney.

Turkey will be on the menu at Harvey's Point in County Donegal at Christmas, but the hotel's chefs will be the only ones doing the cooking. Their three-day Christmas package has proven very popular for people who want to relax at Christmas, as manager Deirdre McGlone explains,

A quick break for three days, everything laid on for them here.

This week sees the main fundraising event for Share, a Cork-based charity which provides housing for vulnerable pensioners in the city.

The annual twenty four hour fast and collection on the streets of Cork unites teenagers from all over the city for a good cause, with all monies raised helping to provide independent living for the elderly, says John Savage,

We give them a house for life.

Volunteers in Sligo are also busy, with preparations for the annual Christmas party for older people at Sligo Social Services Centre underway. The centre which provides a meals on wheels service for those living alone is delivered by a team of volunteers every day.

Director Father John Carroll says offers of help at Christmas are always welcome, but volunteers are also needed year-round, especially to visit those who might not have much company, as

Ar scáth a chéile a maireann na daoine.

An RTÉ News report broadcast on 22 December 1991. The reporter is Eileen Magnier.