Derry praised for 'fantastic' festive generosity

Derry café owner Declan Moore has praised the “amazing generosity” of local people and businesses, as he prepares for his annual Christmas Day dinner event.

Speaking to Derry News over a cup of Earl Grey, Declan described Derry as a “unique city”.

Before being interrupted by a couple who came into his Shipquay Street café, Claude’s, with a donation of selection boxes and sweets, he added: “We live in a city of very generous people, which makes what we do on Christmas day very easy.

The Elves getting everything ready for Christmas Day at the City Hotel.

“I feel like a fraud because really I am just the conductor. Behind the scenes, there are many, many people doing a lot of hard work to make sure our Christmas Day Dinner is a success.

“Just the other day, a woman came up the street, one with 100 selection boxes in two bags and five minutes later another woman came in with one. I was as pleased with the second donation as I was with the first.

“People coming in with presents have been non-stop. That is the beauty of social media. We have quite a few followers and word gets around. I put a call out for 250 selection boxes a few days ago and we have now got about 670. Derry is just amazing.”

Declan and his cousin, Dermott O’Donnell - the “commander in chief of logistics” - have been organising the annual Christmas Day dinner for more than 20 years.

Declan said: “We always put a call out on social media on November 17, which is a very poignant date for us as it’s my mum’s anniversary but knowing we are beginning the preparation for Christmas Day makes it more positive.

“We were just chatting there too about my dad who died recently. His birthday is actually on Christmas day. He was always very proud and very actively involved in what we do, Dermott, myself and both of our families - my wife Teresa, my three daughters and Dermott’s kids too.”

Last year Declan and his elves prepared and served or delivered 470 Christmas dinners.

Laughing Declan said the whole day has grown over the 20 years.

“For the best part of 20 years we did it in Claude’s, which as you can see is a small place. The dinner was lovely and intimate. Then it took off for many different reasons and friends of mine suggested we should make it more widely available - for people who wanted to help out as volunteers or make a donation - so we could reach more people within our community.

“The day is not about homelessness. It is about people who have maybe found themselves in a situation that we could all find ourselves in very easily. Also, there is a lot of loneliness out there, especially at this time of year.

“During covid we were contacted by families in different parts of the world, the US and London, people who couldn’t get home due to lockdown, asking if we could get someone to call with a Christmas dinner for their elderly parents who otherwise would not have seen anyone. 

“We now find ourselves filling a lot of different niches. It might be loneliness but there are people who can’t come out because they are dealing with some kind of social anxiety.

“In tandem with that, we love having our guests to the City Hotel for Christmas Day Dinner. I definitely must acknowledge the guys at the City Hotel. 

“This will be our third year there, following a year when we were kindly helped out by the Waterfoot Hotel. For chefs working in well-equipped kitchens the size of football pitches, it is a pleasure. It really makes Christmas day so much easier to do. 

“The days of three chefs in Claude’s kitchen, banging into one another, are a distant memory now, so thank you to the City Hotel. I must also thank our local media who always give us great publicity.”

Declan was at pains to point out that anyone who wishes to volunteer on Christmas day or anyone who wishes to receive a Christmas dinner should get in touch with Claude’s Café on social media.

“The only thing I would say,” he added, “is to make sure first, people are okay with you asking if they can get a dinner.”

Declan and his friend, chef Paul McGinley will be in the City Hotel from very early on Christmas day getting everything organised.

“From 7.00am to 10.00am we do quite a bit of work, then we have a big cup of coffee and let the ‘madness unfold’,” he grinned. “And, if everything goes according to plan, we will have everybody well fed and our hotel guests home by 3 o’clock, when I will go to my daughter’s for my Christmas dinner.”

Declan said he was “overwhelmed” by the response from local businesses and people this year.

“I will thank everyone afterwards,” he said. “It has been fantastic. The Derry public knows what we are about. You literally can’t beat Derry businesses and people. They are magic. They turn up and support us every year.

“I am conscious of our volunteers who give their time year in and year out. It takes a bit of organising but quite a few of the people who turn up are involved in this sector, helping people, every day and then they come along on Christmas day and help us too.

“Businesses and the public make our job very easy. We take a day off to do this but our amazing volunteers use their day of to do more.”