Lough Gur Santa Visit 2020 – Making the Right Decision at a Difficult Time

Lough Gur Santa – Lough Gur Santa Message to children he couldn’t visit this year. Picture : Keith Wiseman

Lough Gur Santa Visit 2020 – Making the Right Decision at a Difficult Time

Santa pictured above at Lough Gur Picture: Keith Wiseman

After much thought and discussion, a decision was made this year not to hold the always sold out and ever popular Lough Gur Santa Experience in 2020. Although there were some possible solutions to build some replacement event, it was Santa who made the decision that it was a compromise not worth considering; diluting the historic Lough Gur Experience would be a step in the wrong direction. Online, drive by, socially distanced visits, yes these were all considered. However, even before we knew the extremities of the situation, public health, the health of our loyal visitors and friends was a risk not worth taking.

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

In his own words, Santa declared in a short video he released to announce this decision, “I am sorry I will not be able to get to meet you in person this year, we live in very strange times. Look after yourself, your family and remember to go to bed early on Christmas eve!” Wise words indeed for the real Santa who visits Lough Gur each year. One of our young visitors Emily Daly aged 9 said “The real Santa visits Lough Gur, all of the others are his helpers. I understand why we can’t see him this year, but I did get to see him on the Lough Gur video message. He told us then exactly why he can’t visit, and it makes total sense” The heartfelt video from Lough Gur spread across social media explaining to the boys and girls that he looks forward to seeing everyone again in 2021. Video link with the Santa’s message from Lough Gur https://youtu.be/EsvFbiinxMw

Lough Gur Management will bear the burden of losses this year after cancelling the event, however there are no regrets with regard to this decision. Kate Harrold, Manager of Lough Gur Development stated “the safety of our visitors is priority. It may have been an unpopular decision to make but it was the right one.”

Although it was not possible to visit Santa this year, Lough Gur’s new Kiosk is spreading the Christmas cheer, with take away coffee and festive treats ranging from their Christmas coffee drinks to homemade mince pies and gingerbread men. Local resident Noreen Murphy summed it up by explaining, “Lough Gur made the right decision to cancel Santa this year making sure the health and safety of others comes first!” Noreen also added,” Covid-19 has taught us a lot, we appreciate the simple things like being able to take a peaceful walk by the lakeshore and enjoying a hot mince pie and a Lough Gur latte, what more do you need!”

Lough Gur is open all year round and welcomes you to explore all that there is to offer. Christmas guided tours can be booked directly on www.loughgur.com

For more stories on Lough Gur go HERE