'This is my first Christmas tree': Cork man preparing to celebrate first festive season in city home

A CORK man has received his first Christmas card and his first Christmas tree at the age of 63, after leaving behind the derelict slaughterhouse he once called home.

It was a day that John O’Donnell likely believed he would never see, following 40 years of off-grid living.

Mr O’Donnell described how Christmas was a time no different to any other in the Cork northside abattoir where he previously lived.

Now a resident of Madden’s Buildings, he had survived in the derelict slaughterhouse for many years, giving little thought to the festive season.

Mr O’Donnell, who grew up in a State institution, said he has no memory of celebrating Christmas as a child, making this his first experience of the festive season. 

Andrew Murphy, who works in maintenance, transformed the Madden’s Buildings home before Mr O’Donnell moved in last June.

This week saw Mr Murphy revisit the house with a Christmas tree to mark the occasion.

“This is my first Christmas tree,” said Mr O’Donnell.

“They say life begins at 40. Mine is starting at 63.”

Mr O’Donnell said the lack of celebration in his former life never bothered him.

“I was on my own so there was no Christmas,” he said.

“There was nothing to look forward to. It didn’t bother me because I take every day as it comes.

“If you don’t expect anything then you won’t be disappointed.”

'Making better memories'

Mr O’Donnell’s outlook on life has changed dramatically since the move.

“It’s all forgotten about now. Everything is new and I am making better memories,” he said.

It has been a week of firsts for the much-loved character, who is embracing the kindness of his community.

He shared with The Echo his joy at receiving his first Christmas card, which he received from his new neighbours.

“They treat me like anyone else,” he told The Echo.

Mr O’Donnell has a festive message for anyone suffering this Christmas.

“Kindness is there if you want it,” he said.

“If I could have anything this Christmas I would wish for fairy dust to sprinkle over every person in Cork to make them happy.”

A special visit

The local celebrity has had no shortage of visitors but recalled one festive visit he will always remember.

It came courtesy of student carol singers from Terence MacSwiney Community College, who arrived on his doorstep with a Christmas hamper.

“People came out of their houses to listen to the songs,” said Mr O’Donnell.

“They gave me a massive hamper with two boxes of chocolates and Christmas cake.”

Advocate for older people Paddy O’Brien, who fought to help Mr O’Donnell secure his home in Blackpool, said it was a magical moment for everyone involved.

“For [40] years nobody took an interest in John. He was going through a gate into a field and that was his home,” he said.

“He has become so happy in such a short length of time.”

Mr O’Brien confessed that Mr O’Donnell very nearly walked away from the house last June after being overwhelmed by the attention.

“The house was surrounded by press on the day he got the keys. John looked at me and said: ‘I’m not staying here’,” said Mr O’Brien.

“I thought he was joking at first, until he walked away.”

Mr O’Donnell was en-route back to the slaughterhouse when Mr O’Brien caught up with him. “He was at the church in Blackpool when I was able to finally persuade him to turn back. I told him there was a new life waiting for him and begged him not to give it away.

“After explaining that the crowd would be gone in five minutes and it wasn’t always going to be like that, he came back.”

It was not the prospect of losing his new home that motivated Mr O’Donnell to reconsider, but rather the risk of destroying his friendship with Mr O’Brien.

Luckily, the pair are closer than ever and have made plans for a Christmas night out at Gallaghers Gastro Pub on MacCurtain St next week.