Next Friday at 7pm, the village of Rathgar will assert itself for the festive season in a display of community spirit. The Rathgar Village Christmas Fair is the initiative of Fiona and Mark Cummins of the 99b fashion boutique, who set up the Rathgar Village Traders Association. It will take place in the grounds of the 150-year-old Christ Church, with local resident Miriam O’Callaghan switching on the lights. It promises to be, in Fiona’s words, “an old fashioned Christmas fair with roasted chestnuts, Father Christmas, elves, mulled wine, hot food, barbecues, hot chocolate, carols and a brass band”.

The village has a well balanced mix of local shops including a wonderful bookshop/cafe (currently displaying a variety of books on craft, textiles and fashion), two butchers, the newly revamped 108, now called the Rathgar pub, due to open this week, two wine shops, and the 69 Bistro and Bijou restaurant. In pride of place is the long-established Gourmet Shop with its signature displays of dried fruits, cheeses, chocolates and wines. There will also be special late openings on Wednesday and Thursday, December 15th and 16th.