Christmas magic arrives at Temple Street as Santa switches on lights at children's hospital
Six-year-old Albi Sullivan helped Santa bring the magic of Christmas to life by switching on the festive lights at Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street. Picture: Mark Stedman
The magic of Christmas arrived at Children's Health Ireland (CHI) at Temple Street when Santa Claus came with a Garda escort to start the festivities.
Six-year-old Albi Sullivan had been practicing at home to help Santa's countdown and to turn on the lights outside the hospital.
Albi, who hopes to receive a new kidney next year, seemed more excited about what Christmas Day has to offer, with a Hot Wheels garage and some “big boy stuff” on his list.
“Santa will make it, with his elves,” he said.
There will be help too from who is living with Albi's family to keep an eye on everyone in the run-up to Christmas.
He joked that his mother Leanne Murray is on the naughty list so she might not get presents.
Leanne said of his treatment at Temple Street: “He is doing well now, it’s going well. Please god now he will get his kidney next year.”
He has been a patient with Children’s Health Ireland since birth, first at Crumlin and for the last three years at Temple Street.
While waiting for Santa to land at the hospital, Albi, in his red Christmas jumper, showed everyone how to count backwards from 10 to zero, finishing with jazz hands and a big “pow”. That bit is important.
In the meantime, head porter John Doyle — probably better known than most doctors to the young patients — was rushing around checking the lights and landing path for their important visitor.
“Every day of the year is a sad time because children come in when they’re sick, and their parents are stressed. But Christmas just seems to take on an extra dimension,” he said.
Mr Doyle's Elf Club takes place on Christmas morning on a walkabout, with gifts and laughter.
Dressed in full Christmas gear, the Elf Club includes staff, managers, and some volunteers from the CHI Foundation.
“They bring that extra little bit of magic with them,” he said.
He remembered: “I’ve been fortunate enough to see parents with their first child on their very first Christmas morning here and to see their expressions change when Santa comes in."
He started working at Temple St in 1979 as a summer job and never left.
He refused to comment on retirement plans, saying only with a smile: “I’d like to be part and parcel of the new Children’s Hospital. And I really do think, not only is it going to provide world-class healthcare, but I think Christmas is going to be really magical there.”
Fionnuala O’Leary, hospital chief executive, was also excited to welcome Santa.
"Christmas is a simply magical time of year for children all over Ireland and it should be no less special for children attending hospital over the festive season,” she said.
