Adults who were brought by their parents to see the lights are now bringing their children as the tradition started by Tony Fitzpatrick and his late wife Mary continues
Tony Fitzpatrick, Mary Doyle and Noel Stevenson pictured at the switching-on the Christmas lights at the home of Tony Fitzpatrick in Drinagh on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell
Fiadh and Cillain Lyttleton switched-on the Christmas lights at the home of Tony Fitzpatrick in Drinagh on Saturday evening with some help from Tony Fitzpatrick. Pic: Jim Campbell
Parents and children queue outside the home of Tony Fitzpatrick in Drinagh on Saturday evening to view the Christmas Lights. Pic: Jim Campbell
Fiadh and Cillain Lyttleton switched-on the Christmas lights at the home of Tony Fitzpatrick in Drinagh on Saturday evening pictured with Tony Fitzpatrick, Mary Doyle, Orlagh Lyttleton, David Lyttleton and Noel Stevenson. Pic: Jim Campbell
Wexford People
Today at 07:40
Christmas 2025 will mark 30 years since he started decorating his Wexford home with an array of Christmas lights under the watchful eye of his late wife Mary. Over three decades, the collection has grown and grown, and Tony has kept it going in Mary’s memory since her passing in 2017.
A visit to Tony’s house has become a key tradition for countless Wexford families and he’s even won the coveted title of “Ireland’s most Christmassy House” on a couple of occasions.
“This is my 30th year this year”, Tony says with pride. For the year that is in it, he has put in an extra special effort, as he raises badly needed funds for Clare’s Wish Foundation.
The charity was set up in 2013 and is the only Irish charity dedicated to providing wishes exclusively to adults with terminal illnesses.
Fiadh and Cillain Lyttleton switched-on the Christmas lights at the home of Tony Fitzpatrick in Drinagh on Saturday evening with some help from Tony Fitzpatrick. Pic: Jim Campbell
“It’s going good so far, as long as the rain stays away. It’s most busy at the weekends… I hope to be doing it for as long as I can. The very first reindeer I made 30 years ago has come out of retirement.”
It brings Tony great joy to see the smile on the faces of children who visit his home and equally when he speaks to adults who are bringing their children to see the lights, years after their parents brought them.