Residents and staff celebrate Ballyshannon Community Hospital’s first Christmas

18 December 2024

HSE Media Release

It was a day of excitement, smiles and warmth at HSE Ballyshannon Community Hospital recently when children from Four Masters National School in Kinlough, Co. Leitrim performed for residents and staff.

The children sang a medley of Christmas songs much to delight of the residents, bringing cheer into the building for its first Christmas.

You can watch a video filmed at the hospital that day: Christmas at Ballyshannon Community Hospital - YouTube (video).

While some residents listened to the songs in the oratory with the children, others tuned in on the televisions in their rooms.

Afterwards the children enjoyed a hot chocolate in the Blue Stack coffee shop before heading off to spread more festive fun.

Residents and staff in Ballyshannon Community Hospital have been busy preparing for Christmas this year. While some residents have been making Christmas ornaments, others have been making Christmas cards to send to their loved ones. And what would Christmas be without Christmas cake? Resident bakers baked and decorated Christmas cakes in time for the big day.

Residents also braved the cold to take walks in the rooftop gardens, to enjoy the outside Christmas lights and the view of the town below.

For some staff it will mean being away from home for Christmas. But their families loss is the residents gain with the wonderful care and compassion they show them.

Ballyshannon Community Hospital officially opened in April of this year. The hospital has all 52 long stay beds opened and recruitment continues to be active with a view to opening the short term ward and dementia unit as early as possible in 2025.

Frank Morrison, HSE Head of Service, Older Persons, Community Services Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo said “We are delighted to be celebrating our first Christmas at Ballyshannon Community Hospital. There is a wonderful atmosphere at the hospital and a sense of excitement. I’d like to wish all the residents a happy and healthy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.”