The dinner takes place at 7.30 p.m. Tickets are €40, are available from Clearys Pharmacy , Cahalanes Bar or by contacting Don Davis at 0870601723.
Music and dancing by Mystic and a charity auction by auctioneer Morgan O Driscoll.

The idea for the event came to local acupuncturist Anne Crossey of The White Door Clinic after hearing many of her clients speak so fearfully of the impending  budget. Anne set in to motion the special Town Hall event while Skibbereen Business Association got behind the idea and encouraged all businesses in the town to offer special deals from 3-6pm to banish the negativity which will be transmitted to screens and radio waves all over the country during that time.

The town hall event will open with a special address from Councillor Frank Fahy, Mayor of Skibbereen followed by free talks on a range of inspirational and feelgood topics by Anne Crossey (acupuncturist) , Micheál Hurley (West Cork Employability Service), Brendan Leahy (local councillor and paramedic), Rob Heyland (actor, writer and activist) and Matt Mills (WCDP, Sheep’s Head Co-Op, Transition Ireland). The event will finish at 6pm with a performance from West Cork Pipes and Drums.

Speaking of the event, Sean Murray, Chairperson of Skibbereen Business Association said “This year’s budget will be a memorable one for all the right reasons in Skibbereen thanks to this positive event. It is too easy to be negative about what is going on around us but events like this can and will bring businesses and locals together. Undoubtedly there are more tough times ahead but if we work together then we have the power to change things for the better and that’s what this event will be about. I would also like to thank Skibbereen Town Council for the use of the Town Hall for the event and for their support”.

Also speaking of the “Let them Eat Cake” event, Anne Crossey said “West Cork is full of kind, generous and  imaginative people. If we can pull together as a country in the way that the people of Skibbereen have pulled together to make this event happen then we can do anything. This is a day for everyone to come into town, have a piece of cake, listen to some new ideas, get a few bargains in the shops and for one day forget the economy, forget the budget, and forget the  politicians. “Let Them Eat Cake” is about family, community and fun. It’s been great fun to organise and it’s going to be a great fun day”.

More than 20 businesses are also offering 10% discounts to shoppers between 3pm and 6pm as well  as lunch deals in cafes while the local Youth Café will also  give free cake to all who attend the special Town Hall talks. Kalbo’s Café, North St. will also offer customer a special €5 lunch deal on the day.

Elves from Winter Wonderland Skibbereen will also take to the streets  at intervals from this Thursday December 1st up until December 24th to reward shoppers in the town with gifts and vouchers from  local shops and businesses “Random Acts of Christmas Kindness”  in the town.

Town Hall Events
3pm – Mayor of Skibbereen, Councillor Frank Fahy
3.30pm – Anne Crossey – The Case for Happiness
4.00pm – Micheal Hurley and Stephanie Hayes – The  Employability Service, West Cork
4.30pm – Brendan Leahy – A Day in the Life of a West Cork Paramedic
5.00pm – Rob Heyland – Why the Economic Crisis is a Good Thing
5.30pm – Matt Mills – Co-Operate to Regenerate
6.00pm – West Cork Pipes and Drums

Participating Businesses include (look out for posters in windows):

Fiona’s Fashions, Sean Murray Fashions, Wish Gift Shop, Cleary’s Pharmacy, Horgan’s Pharmacy, The Chop Shop Barbers, Hourihane Sports, Kids2Teens, Riverside Café, Caring Hands Therapies, The Beauty Spot Beauticians, Sassy Fashions, Designs  Gift Shop, Kalbo’s Café, Annie Mays Bar and Restaurant, O’Sullivan’s Toy Shop, Field’s SuperValu, Seymour Jewellers, Roycroft Cycles, Baby Hannah’s  Pub, Newman Signs, West Cork Hotel and Apple Betty’s Café.

Lapland has moved to Skibbereen, West Cork this year with an influx of elves applying for work at Winter Wonderland in the town. Over 200 elves applied for seasonal work at what is being pitched as the ultimate Christmas experience for children and adults alike.

Winter Wonderland which has become a popular attraction in the town for the past number of years is under new management and promises to be bigger and better than previous years with new interactive ideas and special effects to make the visit a truly festive experience.

Speaking of recruitment drive and upcoming launch of Winter Wonderland, Owen O’Driscoll said “We have been busy extending and revamping the entire structure of Winter Wonderland to make it a really special experience for families this year.  The venture will also create more than 65 jobs in the run up to Christmas which is a great boost for the area. If the children enjoy the Winter Wonderland experience as much as we have putting it all together then they will leave with fantastic memories of a completely unique    visit to Santa.”

This year’s Winter Wonderland will feature many never before seen elements including – New Interactive Naughty & Nice Machine, Elves Tattoo Parlour, Candy Land and much more.

Winter Wonderland will officially open on December 1st  with many exciting new surprises which will be completely unique to Skibbereen to make this year’s visit to Santa a truly unforgettable occasion for all the family. Tickets are €15 per child and €5 per adult with discounts for families and a 15% price reduction midweek (Mon-Thurs) up to December 15th.

Visit www.winterwonderlandskibb.com for further details.