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18 Nov 2025

Immersive 1850s Christmas event launches in Limavady

Designed for adults and history loving families (ages 9+), the experience invites guests to step off the modern street and undergo "processing" as new arrivals at the Workhouse.

Immersive 1850s Christmas event launches in Limavady

Reporter:

Staff Reporter

18 Nov 2025 12:30 PM

Email:

news@derrynow.com

This December, the doors of Limavady Workhouse are opening to reveal a Christmas story that has nothing to do with tinsel and everything to do with history, resilience, and the human spirit. 
"A Glimmer of Hope: Christmas at the Workhouse" is a new immersive theatrical experience designed to transport visitors back to the harsh winter of the 1850s. Unlike standard holiday grottos, this event offers a visceral, historical journey into the reality of Victorian poverty, culminating in a poignant celebration of the season. 
Designed for adults and history loving families (ages 9+), the experience invites guests to step off the modern street and undergo "processing" as new arrivals at the Workhouse. Through live performance and set dressing, visitors will navigate the stark realities of institution life from the hard labour of the oakum picking and stone yard to the strict discipline of the Matron, before witnessing the rare softening of the rules that occurred on Christmas Day. 
The event is structured to give visitors a "day in the life" narrative. While organisers are keeping specific plot twists under wraps, the evening follows a distinct emotional arc:
The arrival : Guests are met and immediately immersive into the 1850s timeline. 
The Reality: A guided journey through the work areas and dormitories, witnessing daily struggles and camaraderie of the "inmates".
The Glimmer: As evening falls, the atmosphere shifts. The harsh routine pauses and the spirit of Christmas enters the building.  
The Reprieve: The experience concludes in the Dining hall, where guests share a light supper (soup and a sweet treat) children can visit Father Christmas.
Karen Heaney, the organiser behind A Glimmer of Hope,  created the event to offer an antidote to the commercial chaos of the modern festivities. 
"I wanted to create something that lingers with people long after they leave," says Karen.
"Christmas in the 1850s Workhouse wasn't about presents; it was about survival and the rare beautiful moments of kindness in an extremely hard world. My hope is that our guests walk away with a sense of perspective. By experiencing the cold and strict rules first- hand, the final moment of warmth and food feels genuinely earned. It's a history lesson, but one you feel emotionally."
Due to the realistic nature of the historical setting and themes, the event is recommended for ages 9 and above.
Date: 12th December at 6:00, 7:15, 8:15
Location: Limavady Workhouse (LCDI) 24d Benevenagh Drive, Limavady BT49 0AQ.

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