BY TILLY ROBERTS

In the run up to Christmas, Bantry town is gleaming with lights and shop window displays. As the festivities draw in crowds of shoppers, the team of volunteers at Bridge Street Community Café is preparing to welcome the community on Christmas Eve for a potluck: a shared table for people who live by themselves and would like to celebrate Christmas with others.

The Bridge Street Community Café opened its doors in 2023 and was set up with the aim of creating a welcoming, non-judgemental space in Bantry. Nuala Kenny, a peer support worker with the HSE, was instrumental in setting up the café which offers a place for people to meet and connect, with an emphasis on peer support.

The potluck is free to attend and will be held on the December 24th from 4pm to 8pm. Everyone is welcome to come along and bring a dish to share. If you can’t cook, then crisps or buns are okay. It is an alcohol and drug-free space, for community members aged 18 and over, and the evening will be hosted by Becky Firmage, Nuala Kenny, and Katherine Flynn.

Last Christmas Day was the first time the café hosted a gathering which was a great success. 12 people came together for music, games, food, a walk, and a meal.

‘We had a spread fit for a king,’ said Becky Firmage, one of the volunteers with lived experience of having and recovering from mental health struggles.

‘Last year we had so much food donated to the cafe in the week leading up to Christmas. We had a ham in the sink!’ said Becky.

The café has decided to host the potluck on Christmas Eve this year for better accessibility. If you don’t know anyone and you are interested in coming, there is no pressure to chat.

Ger Lynch at the 2024 Christmas Day gathering in the Bridge Street Cafe in Bantry.

Bantry local Ger Lynch attended the Christmas Day gathering last year. He was happy to talk about his experience of the day. Ger is a survivor of the Bessborough Mother and Baby Home in Cork, and a regular at the café.

Ger explained that there were a few things he really enjoyed about the last Christmas gathering: ‘There was the company,’ said Ger, ‘and having people to talk to. And celebrating Christmas and having dinner with other people. There were all different age groups there.’

‘There’s trained volunteers in mental health,’ Ger said, ‘What I like about the place is there’s nobody judging us. It’s a lifeline for people who do live with mental health challenges or people who live on their own in the community.’

‘In the winter you can feel down. It’s nice to see the decorations up around the town,’ said Ger, ‘and to go up to Bantry Church and light a candle and have a bit of time to yourself, if you have worries.’

Whether you are looking to connect with yourself or others this Christmas Eve the Bridge Street Café in Bantry is a place where there is no judgement, and no pressure to perform. Just a shared table in a safe space with a good helping of Christmas cheer.

If readers are considering attending the potluck but are worried about coming alone, they are welcome to call Becky Firmage on 0834374096. She is happy to answer questions and help people feel more comfortable about attending.