Father Eamonn Kelly invites people to cribs exhibition in Raphoe

There are over fifty cribs on exhibition in St Eunan's Church in Raphoe this Christmas and Father Eamonn Kelly is inviting one and all to come and visit and view the unique collection. 

Father Eamonn Kelly said he had been visiting one of his parishoners who showed him a crib. The visit led the priest to discover that his parishoners had a huge and varied collection of cribs.

"He said that is not the only one I have and then he showed me another, and then another, and it ended up he had over thirty so I just asked him if he ever thought of putting them on show in the Church and he was very willing to do so," Father Kelly said. 

The event was organised and now St Eunan's Church is home to a beautiful Christmas exhibition of cribs:"This exhibition is a very simple idea. Most of us are familiar with the crib, we have had one in our home and we have been brought up since childhood with the crib. There is a wide variety of different cultures and countries represented in them and they are just lovely. Each one individual and unique."

Other people also offered their cribs to the exhibition. Despite the vast difference between the cribs, Father Kelly says the central characters remain the same. 

"Depending on the culture, the emphasis on the shepherds, wise men or the angels may differ a little bit. The story of Christmas remains the same where that baby becomes the saviour of the world. That baby becomes the reason that we have hope, that he can bring us over the waters of death and into the glory of eternal life," he said. 

You can see his video here

The cribs are on exhibition from now until January 6 between 9am and 6pm and everyone is welcome to come and see them.