An 86-year-old great grandfather has spoken of the joy he gets from witnessing children coming to see his elaborate Christmas display at the front of his house.
Frankie Gervin from Coalisland, Co Tyrone, has been building the display bigger and better every year for more than a decade.
The house, on Plater’s Hill near the centre of the town, now plays Christmas music throughout the day in addition to a couple of rotating carousels.
READ MORE: Co Tyrone mum raises six figure sum for families in need at Christmas
Frankie told Belfast Live he started off twelve years ago and it’s something he now has to do every year.
“I started off 12 years ago. I started off with a simple thing and went from three.
“I do it so the children can enjoy it every year. They come from different places and towns just to see it.
“It’s compulsory now, I must do it every year, but I enjoy it anyway. My satisfaction comes when it’s finished.
“Every year it gets better, they tell me that I can’t improve it but every year I do.
“Last year ABC Television in America had got it and they added music to it, something I have never done.
“So this year I said I must have a go at the music.”
Hard worker Frankie still spends his days working and says he has no plans to retire or stop building the decorations in Coalisland every year.
“I work day and night at it, I start in October on my birthday and I always try to do something different.
“I’m very busy all the time, thank god I have my health to do so.
“They’ve went crazy for it. The first night I put it on there was 200 children in the chapel down there and they all came out at the one time and I just happened to have it on at the right time.
“The hill was packed with children, there was traffic jams and everything.”
READ NEXT:
Celtic Thunder singer Ryan Kelly on breaking America and his pride in Tyrone hometown
Omagh man’s drive to help those in need this Christmas after helping homeless man in town
- Nextdoor app CEO on growing up in Tyrone to taking charge of one of Silicon Valley’s biggest names
- Childline calls up 40% in NI as children worry about rising cost of living
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. T o sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
